The Bears’ long quest to rejoin the NRL is “on life support” after ARLC chairman Peter V’landys dismissed the expansion bid because their business case fell short

Many claim the North Sydney Bears are cursed. Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys now has good reason to believe them. An NRL expansion bid by North Sydney’s Perth-based “franken-club” the Western Bears to join the NRL ultimately failed to impress the rugby league tsar, who now faces a race against time to prove to broadcasters his code is worth as much – or more – than the AFL.

It was an astonishing development in a process that until now seemed pre-ordained. A timeline towards 20 clubs within the next five-year broadcast cycle appeared straightforward, with as many as 11 parties reportedly interested from everywhere between Perth and Christchurch.