MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Western Bears will never work, while a Wellington NRL team makes much better sense

Peter Vlandys should go all the way and put the Western Bears into hibernation.

Like most people, I was shocked to hear that the NRL had rejected the bid from the Perth-North Sydney Bears consortium.

After everything I had seen and heard over the past couple of months, I just assumed the new team would be part of the competition in 2027.

Vlandys came out and said their bid fell “well short of expectations” because the Western Bears didn’t offer up millions of dollars as part of a license fee.

Some people reckon this is just the NRL supremo flexing his muscles at the negotiating table.

But I reckon the NRL should move on. Permanently.

Perth people won’t like me for saying it, but I don’t think rugby league should be heading west for its next expansion team.

Don’t get me wrong — I love Perth.

It’s a great city, has beautiful beaches and some great sporting facilities.

But it’s Aussie Rules heartland.

The West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers rule the roost.

Imagine the huge expense of setting up a team over there, relocating players from the east coast and trying to convert the locals into supporting a foreign game.

The travel is another big turn-off — most teams will be faced with a 10-hour return trip.

I believe the NRL should be heading to New Zealand instead.

There is so much talent across The Ditch and we should be cashing in.

The Warriors have done an amazing job and sold out a full season of home games in Auckland.

That’s bloody remarkable for a team that missed the finals in a country where rugby union is like a religion.

The NRL should be jumping at the chance to play a game over there every weekend.

They should bring in a team from Wellington.

Derbies are the best thing in sport — a clash between Auckland and Wellington twice a year would be awesome.

You can see the impact the Dolphins have had since they came into the competition in 2023.

Suncorp Stadium has been bursting at the seams for every Broncos-Dolphins derby.

I reckon it would be the same at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium or the Cake Tin in Wellington.

A Kiwi derby would help lure more fans — and junior talent — away from the All Blacks.

In fact, if it was my choice, I’d go to New Zealand before I went to Papua New Guinea.

The NRL will soon confirm a new team will be based in Port Moresby, but I’m still not sold.

Yes, they are fanatical about rugby league up there. It’s their national sport.

And there’s some talent coming through the ranks — their schoolboys team drew with the Australian Schoolboys 22-22 on Sunday.

But there are other things to consider.

For me, the safety of the players and their families is a concern.

I’ve played in PNG, and I’ve done speaking engagements there.

I had security with me the whole time, so I know what I’m talking about.

The country’s shocking crime rate is a major worry.

Players will get paid overs to go there, and their contracts could even be tax-free.

But where will they spend it? They could be confined to a compound purpose-built by the NRL thanks to the 600 million bucks they’re getting from the Federal Government.

Is that going to entice elite players to live in Papua New Guinea?

I must say I was disappointed to see a lot of Australian players not singing the national anthem before the Prime Minister’s XIII match against PNG.

Pulling on the green and gold — even if it’s not a Test match — should fill you with passion for your country.

The PNG boys gave it everything they had when their song came on.

It was a childhood dream of mine to play at the highest level and sing the national anthem before a game.

It’s a bad look to just stand there — especially when the cameras are on you.

If you don’t know the words just, try and mime along!

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

I’m getting a little bored with the endless speculation over the future of Ben Hunt at the Dragons.

Last year it went on for months, and now it’s starting all over again.

In camp with the Kangaroos for the Pacific Championships, Hunt accused the Dragons of leaking details of his end of season review (which wasn’t very flattering) to the media.

Hunt also said they had gone cold on offering him a contract extension.

Oh, and that he would also love the chance to finish his NRL career in his home state of Queensland.

Well, at 34 years of age, I think the time has come for Hunt to go home.

He didn’t have a great year for the Dragons, and he sounds like a very unhappy camper.

If I were coach Shane Flanagan, I’d be saying “bye bye Benny”.