Pitch battle: Cricket NSW stumps Bears’ plan for historic return match

November 8, 2026 — 4:30am

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A romantic and historic return to North Sydney Oval by rugby league’s newest team, the Perth Bears, is being blocked by Cricket NSW, potentially denying their fans a perfect entry into the NRL next season.

The Bears can’t play premiership matches at their spiritual home of North Sydney Oval because it’s not fit for the NRL.

However, they are aiming to play their historic return match – a trial – at Bear Park in late February.

It’s a no-brainer, considering how long the rusted-on Bears’ faithful have clung to hope that their team may one day return.

Negotiations between the Perth Bears, the NRL, Cricket NSW and the local council have been going on for weeks. And it’s not looking good for the Bears.

The NRL had a meeting with Cricket NSW, who told them they would need to reschedule some Sydney grade cricket matches to accommodate the trial and the cost to take the pitch out and put it back in would be close to $200,000. It is not clear who would pay the bill, but it appears the Bears believe they will be on the hook.

The machinery that does the relocating of the pitch is in Adelaide and needs a specialist team to operate it. It’s a time-consuming task: taking pitches out and putting them back is a five-week operation. The grass needs time to bed down after the pitch is removed and reinstalled.

Considering the trial would be on the weekend of February 20-21 and club cricket’s schedule is limited after this, the Bears and NRL think it would be reasonable to just reschedule the remaining fixtures to avoid having to bring the crew from Adelaide to Sydney to put the pitch back in.

Cricket NSW is not interested in this proposal. It has shut down talks with the Bears.

Cricket NSW was approached for comment.

A glance at the cricket fixtures impacted by the NRL trial proves how silly this stand-off is. They won’t draw a crowd and could be moved to one of the many cricket grounds across Sydney.

Cricket Australia also has no fixtures scheduled at the ground.

As I understand it, Cricket NSW has a contract over the venue with North Sydney Council, so this would be an act of goodwill to welcome the Bears back – a huge moment for the local community, but also rugby league in general.

NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys has been pivotal in the Bears’ return and knows the importance of the Norths heritage, not to mention the huge ratings it would deliver for Foxtel/Kayo Sports.

Cricket fixtures on the weekend of Feb 20-21 impacted by possible Bears NRL trial game.

Jan 23 – Jan 30: UTS North Sydney v Bankstown; Feb 6 – Feb 7: North Sydney v Sydney; Feb 13 – Feb  20: North Sydney v UNSW

Fixtures beyond Feb 20-21 impacted

Cricket NSW has booked in three “internal academy trial” days at North Sydney Oval from March 9.

Images of a packed North Sydney Oval would have even rival fans, maybe not from Manly, a little emotional.

Bears roll out the red carpet for Burton

Bears recruit Toby Sexton will be trying to woo his former Bulldogs halves partner Matt Burton to join the NRL newcomers when Burton drops in to Perth on Sunday for a tour of the city and club.

Burton, who is free to negotiate with rivals, will be floored on his trip by a $6m four-year........

© Brisbane Times