Perth should ‘go in boots and all’ to win next National Rugby League franchise says NSW Blues manager

Perth should “go in boots and all” to be the next National Rugby League franchise, says NSW Blues football manager Peter Parr. Hopes of resurrecting an NRL club have grown with the controversial plan to form a cross-country club with the North Sydney Bears. Parr, a casualty of the Western Reds’ axing in 1997 during the Super League war, joined the club on day one as reserve grade coach and was coaching and development manager when the axe fell. He was cautious on the WA Bears idea, saying a stand-alone Perth club could be successful. “From what I have seen and what I listen to, I can’t see any reason why a franchise couldn’t be successful again in Perth,” Parr said. “It’s hard to form an opinion until you are actually part of the inner-sanctum, looking at figures, looking at what is sustainable. “It’s difficult to form an educated opinion on whether the Bears or anyone else would work for that matter. “But the ideal model would be to go in boots and all, by yourself. “There are some good people in Perth, some smart people, people I know who are still involved in trying to put a bid together here. “From a personal point of view Perth would be ideal but you’ve got to make the numbers stack up. “I’d like to see nothing more than the Reds, or whatever it may be called, back in the National Rugby League. “I’ve got no doubt you could do that.” After the Reds folded Parr went on to be the Brisbane Broncos coaching development manager, North Queensland Cowboys general manager of football and chief executive and is now on the Cowboys’ board. He is in his fifth State of Origin series with coach Brad Fittler, starting as team manager and now also managing the NSW representative programs. “I have wonderful memories from when I lived in Perth,” he said. “One of the things I loved was how parochial people are ... they would want their own team. “Having said that, if going into partnership with somebody else ensured there was some form of National Rugby League played here, even on a semi-regular basis, that’s better than what you’ve got now.. “I have bittersweet memories of Perth and the Reds. “It was such a wonderful thing for local league, such a wonderful concept and the city in general. “It was a real disappointment when they closed. “Everyone involved had the vision of it being a long term club that would still be here now. “Learnings can be taken from the first time round.”