That's the view of founding Western Reds star Mark Geyer who was the biggest name to join the fledging club in the 20-team ARL competition in 1995.
Geyer played in the 1996 competition and the final year of their existence in Super League in 1997 when rebranded as Perth Reds. They were one of three teams axed when the two warring factions brokered a peace deal for the newly formed NRL in 1998.
The Reds won 11 and lost 11 in their first season and their win/loss percentage in three years was superior to the likes of Penrith and Cronulla in their formative three seasons.
Geyer said an unsustainable financial burden placed on the Reds led to their demise
No-one was more delighted than the 1991 premiership-winner with news the Perth-based Bears, in an affiliation with North Sydney, would play in the 2027 season under the auspices of the NRL and with Western Australia government support.
"I love, love, love it … love, love, love … times one hundred ," a beaming Geyer told AAP.
"The Western Reds were a success but from day one we had to pay for the flights and accommodation of the opposing players (in both first and reserve grade) for all our home games.
"That is what eventually sent the club broke and out of the comp.
"The difference this time is the NRL and the WA government is behind the bid.
"Last time we were thrown in the deep end and started swimming and getting out of the current, but our legs were taken out from under us.
"Our first game at the WACA we got 25,000 against St George. All the junior participation was up in 1995 and we missed the finals by two points. We had a footprint but just lacked the support from the game that the new franchise is going to get."
Geyer predicted the new club would be supported like the Reds were as an integrated member of the sporting landscape and be a huge boost to broadcasters and, as the 18th team, to the NRL as they go in search of a $3 billion broadcast deal.
"Our sponsors Cash Converters were fantastic. We all drove around in cars with a big red kangaroo on the bonnet and everyone knew the Western Reds were in town," Geyer recalled.
"We cross-trained with the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles and we knew (coaches) Gerard Neesham and Mick Malthouse. We went to the AFL games and became mates with the players.
"It will be no different to what the Sydney Swans are here in Sydney in a league market or the Melbourne Storm in Melbourne where it is all AFL.
"We are not trying to take over the west, we just want a piece of pie. An NRL team in WA immediately gives another time slot to broadcasters. Peter V'landys can go back to the table to them with nine games each week rather than eight. It's a win-win."
The ex-Bears players AAP has spoken to are ecstatic after being in the wilderness for 26 years. Those that played in the Western Reds team are just as happy.
"It justifies our decision back then to leave everything behind and go on a voyage. We would still be there if Super League didn't come along and we didn't have to play for the other clubs to travel," Geyer said.
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