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Western Australia rugby league boss John Sackson says Perth must be kept in the discussion to be the NRL's 18th team to keep the game growing in the state.
Western Australia rugby league bosses are adamant the state should remain in the conversation for NRL expansion amid the possibility of an 18th team.
Expansion is firmly back on the agenda, after it was revealed last week the NRL had mentioned a two-conference system to several clubs.
That system would be reliant on an extra two non-Sydney teams, with a second Brisbane side considered almost a formality as one of them.
Most talk about the second spot has revolved around the potential for another New Zealand side in the next decade.
But Perth have every right not to be forgotten in the debate.
They built their registered numbers up to 10,000 during the days of the Western Reds, before that team became a casualty of the Super League war.
Numbers fell drastically after that but the state's tally of 4000 registered players is similar to that of Victoria, despite Melbourne Storm's presence in the NRL for the past 24 seasons.
"The game has to keep the dream alive over here," NRL WA CEO John Sackson told AAP.
"Stakeholders want to know that the great game of Rugby League has an exciting and robust future in Western Australia.
"The interest coming from key government and corporate stakeholders is a desire to keep Perth in the conversation regarding a possible 18th franchise.
"I know that there are consortiums who are more than capable of constructing robust, sustainable and compelling franchise business models if provided the opportunity."
Sackson has no issue with the likely addition of a second Brisbane team, believing that is the right move for the league.
But he believes Perth can add significant corporate value for the NRL as an 18th franchise, as well as television advantages given their time zone.
He also points to the membership mindset of AFL fans in the state, while only COVID-19 has stopped West Coast Pirates playing in the NSWRL's under-18s SG Ball.
The city also sold out State of Origin at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium in 2019, with a game to return there in 2022.
"For the game to successfully compete and grow in WA, it needs a silver bullet," Sackson said.
"It's wonderful for the game to have elite events regularly coming to Perth.
"But the game needs a lasting legacy and the existence of a successful and sustainable franchise could provide that"
"Players need access to aspirational pathways, and ideally one day, to be able to do that without leaving the state.
"And we need to be able to compete with the other codes as much as possible on a level playing field."
