NRL Welcomes the WA Anchors as 19th Team in Historic Expansion
Rugby league’s long-awaited expansion into Western Australia has finally come to fruition, with the NRL today confirming the WA Anchors as the competition’s 19th team. The announcement marks a new era for rugby league in the west, ensuring that the entire state is well and truly in the grip of the sport.
While the Perth Bears were long touted as the frontrunners, bid officials felt the name didn’t fully encapsulate the passion, endurance, and girth of the Western Australian rugby league community. The Anchors, a name steeped in WA’s rich maritime history, pays homage to the early seamen who docked along the coastline, tirelessly working their rigs and handling their heavy loads day in, day out.
“This is a proud day for Western Australian rugby league,” said WA Anchors Chairman and tissue magnate Wayne King. “For too long, our fans have been left on the edge, waiting for their time to come. But today, we finally get the release we’ve all been craving.
“The Anchors are here, and we’re not just here to make up the numbers. We plan to go hard from the opening round and really stamp our load on this competition.”
“The State has already blown a white hot load of cash on this bid, and we are thankful for the happy ending.”
The club has also confirmed that Wayne Kerr, a veteran of Western Australian rugby league, will take the reins as inaugural head coach. Kerr, known for his firm grip on team discipline and an unwavering focus on endurance, says he is excited to get hands-on with the squad and isn’t afraid to unload on the players in the sheds.
“It’s an honour to be leading the WA Anchors into the NRL,” Kerr said. “I’ve spent my whole career working on building strong, powerful units, and I know this group will be no different. The lads will be working themselves to the bone to make sure they can go the distance.”
With a robust recruitment strategy in place, the WA Anchors are expected to begin assembling their squad immediately. The club has vowed to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to secure the most explosive talent available. “We want players who are eager, energetic, and willing to put in the hard yards,” said King. “We don’t care if they start slow, as long as they finish strong.”
The team’s branding and jersey design are set to be unveiled in the coming months, with King teasing a striking look that embodies both strength and endurance. “We want something that really represents WA—something hard, something that can take a pounding but always bounces back.”
With their home base set in Perth, the WA Anchors are expected to draw a passionate following from across the state, giving Western Australia a team they can all get behind.
“This is more than just a team,” King added. “It’s a movement. And trust me, when the Anchors come, you’ll know about it.”
“When it comes to the premiership, we’ve already got one hand on it and we reckon we could fit a second.”
The WA Anchors have until midday, April 1 to confirm their place in the league without looking like Fools.