Roger Cook refuses to confirm rumours on NRL deal but commits to be ‘fully transparent’ with any agreement

Roger Cook has refused to weigh in on rumours an NRL deal to bring a side west could be made as early as next week, but has recommitted to being “fully transparent” with any agreement. After The West Australian revealed on Wednesday a deal was set to be announced after sign off by club bosses this weekend, Mr Cook would only speak to “positive indications” from the League and was still “waiting for confirmation.” NRL club chief executives are set to meet on Friday in Brisbane to formally agree to resurrect the North Sydney Bears and base the side in Perth. Following the meeting — which will be held amid Magic Round in Queensland this weekend, where all clubs are due to play — an announcement is set to be made as early as next week in partnership with the State Government. “We have had really positive indications from the NRL with regards to the range of issues that we’ve discussed. We’re waiting for confirmation in relation to the outcome of those,” he said. “Everyone will be in Brisbane this weekend, so I can imagine there’ll be a lot of people gathering there to talk about the most exciting development in NRL history, and that is the possibility that we can once and for all call National Rugby League a national sports competition. “We’ve committed to be completely transparent in relation to the arrangements that we have been discussing with the NRL in the event that we come to a conclusion.” The Government’s first public offer included $35 million for growing the support in WA, through schools and the Clontarf Foundation, and a centre for excellence for league in Malaga. As recently as last week, further details emerged the Australian Rugby League Commission had signed off a revised $50 million bid from WA — which is understood to be more funding for growing the sport. Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti said any NRL team relocation would bring in “significant dollars” via visitors from the East. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas again called on the Government to reveal the details of the offers. “As I’ve said previously, it’s fine for premiers to champion projects that they think will be good for the state of Western Australia, but they need to come clean on the details, and the people of Western Australia deserve to know the deal. “There’s going to be a meeting in Sydney on Friday. It’s a done deal. We’re not mugs in Western Australia. We know this announcement has been delayed to save face for the Premier until after the federal election. “The people of Western Australia are having a hard time buying Roger Cook’s statements on this NRL transaction.”