When the Perth Bears run out for their inaugural match next year, a famous Rugby League surname will be re-born in the west.
Mavrik Geyer, the son of Western Reds star Mark Geyer, will lace up the boots for the NRL’s newest franchise.
The Geyer name is synonymous with Rugby League: Mark Geyer tore up the WACA in the 1990s as a Western Red, and now, three decades on, it’s his son Mavrik’s turn.
“Dad did great things for the Western Reds,” Mavrik said.
“It motivates me a bit more to keep carrying the Geyer name.”
For Mark, it’s a “surreal” experience.
“I never thought in a million years that while I was playing in Perth that 30 years later, my youngest son would be doing the same thing,” he said.
The 25-year-old is heading West on a three-year deal, having been sold the dream over dinner with Bears coach Mal Meninga.
Maverik said he and the rugby league veteran “talked about everything” over a two-hour sitting, “and meeting him and seeing the coaching philosophy he has really opened my eyes to it”.
“As soon as I left that dinner I rang my manager straight away and I said, ‘mate I think Perth’s the go’,” he said.
Mavrik is following the same path as his father, having spent time at both the Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers before his move to Perth.
Perth pub eyes Bears crowds with $3 million makeover
Meanwhile, with HBF Park capable of hosting more than 18,000 fans, one of Perth’s oldest pubs is betting big on the arrival of the Perth Bears.
The 128-year-old Brisbane Hotel will temporarily close on July 20 for a $3 million restoration, with owners hoping to reopen by mid-November as they position the Highgate venue as the home of Bears supporters ahead of the club’s inaugural NRL season in 2027.
About 500 metres from the stadium, the historic pub is planning for game-day crowds with ambitions to activate Brisbane Street before kick-off with live music, family activities, big screens and fan events before supporters make the short walk to HBF Park.
“This is the home of the Perth Bears,” ARK Group general manager Adam Kapinkoff said.
“We’re the biggest pub closest to HBF Park, so we’d love people to come here before and after the game.”
The venue is also looking to work with the Perth Bears on a “Bear Walk” to the stadium and pre-match entertainment, including live music and an NRL panel.
The restoration comes after 128 years of trading on the corner of Beaufort and Brisbane streets and will preserve the hotel’s heritage while upgrading its kitchen, amenities and hospitality spaces.
Future expansion plans will increase the venue’s capacity to 900 patrons, allowing it to cater for thousands of supporters expected to descend on the precinct when the Perth Bears begin playing at HBF Park.
Kapinkoff said now was the right time to invest.
“We’re restoring it to showcase the history, heritage and character of the site while setting it up for the next 128 years,” he said.
Before construction begins, the Brisbane Hotel will host a three-day farewell from July 17 to 19, featuring discounted drinks, live sport, DJs and a “Kill the Kegs” closing party.
If all goes to plan, the pub will reopen in mid-November.
As decider looms, fans of Perth’s newest club face a crucial choice
If a surge in membership is anything to go by, there will be plenty more eyes on the events at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday.
The Perth Bears closed off their foundation membership with 20,500 members, buoying hopes of heavy crowds flocking to HBF Park for home games.
But, with the series decider of the NRL’s most fierce competition to be held on Wednesday evening, fans face a tough – and important – choice: Blues or Maroons?
Perth Bears Fan Club member Rick Van Heekeren has an idea.
Having grown up in Sydney, Van Heekeren will always back the Blues. But he reckons, overall, West Australians are more likely to support Queensland.
“It’s probably about 60-40, maybe a little bit heavier, towards Queensland,” he said.
“I’ve watched every Origin game that’s been played, from the first one in 1980 – that was, one of the best games that rugby league ever, ever televised, I’d recommend everyone go back and watch it.
“Queensland have definitely had the better of us.
“I hate that, because we always have the best side on paper, but Queensland has something, whether it’s the Queenslander spirit or whatever, they’ve got something we haven’t got.”
Even though the series decider is being held in Maroons territory, Van Heekeren believes there’s a chance NSW could upend the expected result: “That’s when the magic happens, right?”
State of Origin Game 3 is being broadcast on Wednesday night at 6.05pm, WA time, by Nine, the owner of this masthead.
Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.From our partners
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