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Former Western Reds player Matt Fuller has called on the NRL to re-instate a Perth based Rugby League team, after the success of the Perth NRL Nines.
Fuller, who played 59 games for the Reds as a foundation player from 1995-97 said the time had come to welcome a Perth based team back in to the fold.
" We're long overdue." Fuller told Sports Drive.
" 25 years in the wilderness is enough, Todd Greenberg (NRL CEO) and Peter V'landy's (ARLC Chairman) have done nothing to give us any encouragement that we are going to get a team back in the West."
"I'm really bitterly disappointed they can't come up with a plan or at least say this is on the table, and this is what we need to do to get an NRL franchise back here."
Over 24,000 people attended the NRL Nines tournament over Friday and Sunday, having sold out Optus Stadium for game two of State of Origin in July last year.
Fuller said the tournament had been a raging success with the locals.
"The atmosphere at HBF Park was fantastic." the 49 year old said.
"I thought it was a great pass mark, once again WA Rugby League ticked another box. There were some fantastic tries scored, the girls played extremely well, it was just an electrifying atmosphere over the two days."
The tournament is unlikely to return to Perth next year, with rumours that Canberra and Newcastle could host in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
HBF Park will host two games in the 2020 NRL Premiership season, Sydney Roosters hosting Canberra Raiders in a Grand FInal rematch in May, followed by Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm in July.
Both the Roosters and the Bulldogs will play NRL games in Perth over the next three years, meaning an Perth based side is unlikely in the short term.
IMAGE: NRL website.