Bears Put Legal Threat In Path Of Gold Coast Deal
By ANDREW WEBSTER
THE SUN-HERALD - 22/5/2005
"It is the wrong decision. They’re going to destroy us" - Mike Gibbins

Warriors-Souths Clash Moved Across Sydney Harbour
STUFF.CO.NZ - 4/5/2005
Stdney: The New Zealand Warriors' National Rugby League (NRL) visit to South Sydney has moved across Sydney Harbour after a venue clash with rugby's Super 12.

Central Coast Bears Still In The Hunt
By BRENT READ
THE AUSTRALIAN- 6/5/2005
The Central Coast Bears are still the preferred option - Russell Tate

Bears Finally On Top
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 23/3/2005
Stop the competition, let’s play the grand final tomorrow — North Sydney is on top of the NSWRL Premier League ladder!

Signs Of An Impending Storm
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/3/2005
Having (Melbourne’s) first graders on board really helps everyone lift. They know what it takes to get to the next level and that professionalism rubs off on everyone — Anthony Kiro.

Old Rivalries Re-born
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 11/3/2005
A Humble junior representative rugby league game is about to make one famous North Shore father feel very strange and have a generation or two of Sydney sports fans asking where the years have gone.

Norths Win Gives Coach Freeman Perfect Start
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 9/3/2005
The Gary Freeman and Melbourne Storm era at North Sydney Rugby League club is off to the prefect start.

Bears Book Date With Jason And His Argonauts
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 4/3/2005
On any other day, Jason Taylor would be willing North Sydney to victory and doing anything he could to help the club out.

It’s A Bear Market As North Sydney Make One Last Bid For Survival
By BRAD WALTER
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - 26/2/2005
North Sydney president Mike Gibbons and a group of businessmen will try to gain control of the leagues club in a last-ditch bid to save the Bears from extinction and re-ignite their campaign to rejoin the NRL.

New Faces, Names Steeped In History
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 25/2/2005
Two of the greatest names in rugby league history will feature for North Sydney tomorrow on what shapes as a significant day for the club.

Prize Storm Signing Backfires
By KARL DEKROO
THE HERALD SUN - 25/2/2005
Prize Storm recruit Jamie Feeney says he will be fit to start the NRL season despite being diagnosed with a back injury, similar to that which prematurely ended the career of Melbourne fullback Robbie Ross.

Grizzly Bears
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/2/2005
For the Bears supporters that didn’t make it out to Marrickville,

Bears Lose But Aren’t Panicking
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 16/2/2005
Coach Gary Freeman felt optimistic after his first match in charge of North Sydney’s Premier League team, despite losing 28-4.

Bears’ Funding Slashed
By CAMERON BELL
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - 13/2/2005
The future of foundation club North Sydney looks as bleak after leagues club boss Jim Henry confirmed funding to the football club would be halved this year.

Bid Groups Demand NRL Honour Due Process Promises
By ANDREW WEBSTER
THE SUN HERALD - 13/2/2005
Officials behind the Central Coast and Wellington bids to become the competition’s 16th team have implored the NRL to honour its promise to reconsider all the bids as the groundswell of support for the Gold Coast Dolphins gathers momentum.

Bears Still Confident
By TERRY LIBEROPOULOS
RUGBY LEAGUE REVIEW - 2/2005
The North Sydney Bears are still confident that they will be part of the NRL competition in the future despite reports that the Gold Coast will be fast-tracked.

Bears Still Keen To Be NRL’s Sweet 16
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 19/1/2005
The North Sydney rugby league club is not concerned about suggestions they are being jostled out of the race for the 16th NRL position.
 

Bears First Grade Legends On Show In Sevens Tournament
By STEVE LITTLE
REDANDBLACKZONE.COM - 12/1/2005
Orara Valley on NSW’s North Coast is set to relive the glory days of the Bears as a North Sydney side competes in the annual Orara Valley 7’s Tournament.

Year Was A Shocker Say Bears
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 7/1/2005
If any organisation was relieved to see the back of 2004, then surely it was North Sydney Rugby League Club.
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Q & A With Greg Florimo
By TORTURED SOUL
WWW.RLFANS.COM FORUM - 22/12/2004
Please leave your comments on the following threads;
Mighty Bears Forum thread - http://www.jumbles.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=851 OR
rlfans.com Forum thread - http://boards.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=100913.
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Fax Boss Reels In Fisher
HALIFAX TODAY - 19/11/2004
Halifax have added a sixth new recruit to their 2005 line-up, landing highly-rated North Sydney hooker Ben Fisher on a one-year contract.
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Grin And Bear The Pain
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 10/12/2004
While most of you are enjoying a lengthy sleep-in on Sunday morning, North Sydney’s Premier League squad will be working their backsides off.
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Central Coast Door Ajar For Sydney Club
By ROY MASTERS and BRAD WALTER
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - 7/12/2004
The possibility of a Sydney team relocating to Gosford increased dramatically yesterday with the revelation that it would no longer have to be called the Bears.
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Bears Incensed As Rabbitohs Cross Harbour
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 4/12/2004
The North Sydney rugby league club is incensed and perplexed by the strong possibility of South Sydney relocating to this side of the Harbour.
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Souths Fans Back Move North
By BRAD WALTER and JESSICA HALLORAN
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD  - 1/12/2004
The Mayor of North Sydney, Genia McCaffery, hopes to finalise before the end of the year a deal for the Rabbitohs to shift their home games across the harbour after the move last night won the backing of the National Rugby League team's supporters.
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Vale - Henry Thomas Taylor
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS OFFICIAL WEBSITE - 30/11/2004
Harry came into grade in 1942 as a ‘young sandy-haired lock, able to run a football field in even time’.
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Bears Angry At Courting Of Rabbitohs
AAP  - 30/11/2004
Greg Florimo has labelled South Sydney's mooted shift to North Sydney Oval as another "kick in the guts" for his former NRL club the Bears.
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Rabbitohs Home In On North Sydney
By BRAD WALTER
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD  - 30/11/2004
South Sydney, the NRL's oldest-surviving club, is set to abandon Aussie Stadium as its home ground and move to North Sydney Oval in a deal worth up to $1million a year to the Rabbitohs.
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No Whiz Bang Holidays Here
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 5/11/2004
New North Sydney Premier League coach Gary “Whiz” Freeman wasn’t joking when he said that life under his direction “wouldn’t be a holiday”.
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Wounded Bears Form United Front
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 29/10/2004
It may have come five years late, but a public push to resuscitate North Sydney Rugby League Club has finally begun.
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Freeman Happy With The Bears’ Minimum
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 22/10/2004
New Bears coach Gary Free man has declared the club’s financial plight doesn’t bother him and he would have taken on the job even if they were not a feeder club for NRL club, Melbourne Storm.
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Greg Florimo Calls On Bears Fans For Support
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 24/10/2004
Norths legend and now General Manager of the North Sydney Football club has called for all Bears fans and foundation club supporters to get down to North Sydney Oval this coming Tuesday night.
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Help Save Our Bears
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 15/10/2004
Desperate for funds and clinging to survival by it’s ever- weakening claws, North Sydney Rugby League Club has opted to go cap-in-hand and beg for financial support from the North Shore community.
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Bears Cash Strapped
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 1/10/2004
North Sydney rugby league club’s future as a competitive sporting unit is in peril this week, after its operating budget for next season was slashed in half.
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Important Information Meeting
By MIKE GIBBONS
NORTH DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB - 6/10/2004
In recent months, the football club has received the latest in a series of body blows:
Download this notice as a Word document here.
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Bears Walk On Water At Presentation Night
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE"S RED AND BLACK SITE - 25/9/2004
The glamorous and spectacular Sydney Show Boat was the venue for the North Sydney Bears Senior presentation night on Saturday on 25th September.
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Florimo: Bears Won’t Die
By ADAM HAWSE
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - 26/9/2004
The future of foundation club Norths has been placed in jeopardy by a drastic cut in funding from North Sydney Leagues Club but Bears legend Greg Florimo says he will not let the club die.
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Bears' Kiwi Fruition
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 24/9/2004
“Manly has poached one of ours again, but nothing they do surprises me any more.” - Greg Florimo
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Bears Alliance On The Cards
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 17/9/2004
The Bears might make a pretty ugly bride, but they expect to be enjoying wedded bliss with and NRL club very soon, giving their yougsters the chance to play at the top level.
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Will The Bears Hibernate?
By MATT STARKEY
RUGBY LEAGUE REVIEW - 9/2004
The decision by the NRL’s Partnership Committee to continue the competition at 15 teams for season 2006 has placed the future of the North Sydney Bears in limbo following the lack of any sort of framework, direction or criteria regarding admission to Rugby League’s premier competition, via the Central Coast.
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Cruel End To Season
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 15/9/2004
l’ve got no doubt that if we had finished seventh, we could’ve gone all the way through — Josh White
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Fired Up To Challenge
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 10/9/2004
On the strength of just about every statistic you can point to, it seems that the North Sydney boys needn’t bother going to Aussie Stadium for Sunday’s Jersey Flegg Cup rugby league qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters.
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Tag Gala Day
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 10/9/2004
The North Sydney branch of the Australian rugby league foundation is holding another gala day for local kids.
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Robbie’s In Sights
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 10/9/2004
Robbie O’Davis has every right to feel insulted after reportedly being offered just $8000 to go around with the Newcastle club that he has served so well next season.
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No Burden To Bear
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 8/9/2004
I’ll still be involved in some way. When a hand is needed, I’ll be there. It’ll be very hard to pull myself away completely — Gary Larson
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Rampant Roosters Headed For The Title???
By BEN EVERILL
BIG LEAGUE - 9/9/2004
Will they ever lose?
Us Bears fans think so. - BIG-STEVE
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Bearing Down
By PETER BADEL
BIG LEAGUE - 26/8/2004
The demise of the Bears is one of league’s saddest tales. But as long as people like Greg Florimo are around hope floats north of the harbour.
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NRL Rules Out Expansion In 2006
By NRL MEDIA
NRL - 16/8/2004
The National Rugby League partnership executive has today ruled against expanding the competition in 2006.
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White Man For The Job
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 6/8/2004
Josh White has been re warded for his smart work with North Sydney’s finais bound Jersey Flegg Cup unit by being promoted to the club’s top coaching position for 2005.
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Bring Back the Bears
By GEOFF DAVIDSON
CENTRAL COAST BEARS UNOFFICIAL WEBSITE - 6/8/2004
On the 16th of August the NRL partnership committee will meet to hopefully decide whether to expand the NRL competition to include a 16th team for the 2006 season. The Central Coast Bears have been building towards this momentus occassion since the downfall of the Northern Eagles in 2002.
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Florimo Boots Up Again As Bears Plead For 16th NRL Spot To Stave Off Extinction
By BRAD WALTER
SYDNEY MORNING HEARLD - 7/8/2004
North Sydney will be lost if the Central Coast Bears aren't admitted to the NRL, but the Dolphins are circling, writes Brad Walter.
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Dolphins vs Dolphin Wannabes – The Battle Gains Momentum
By REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS MEDIA
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS FOOTBALL CLUB - 6/8/2004
The Gold Coast NRL consortium has stirred up a hornet’s nest and an online petition as the Redcliffe Dolphins and many league supporters cry foul over their dogged determination to use the name Dolphins despite knowing that the highly successful and respected Redcliffe Club has proudly borne the Dolphin emblem for 36 years.
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Daily Telegraph NRL Fans Survey: Let's Get To It Folks
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 6/8/2004
Well, we were supossed to of had a decision in March regarding a 16th team. Then it was delaid till July. Now August the 16th! ven then a decission is not certain.
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More Debate Over Anti-tampering
By DANIEL PACE
AAP - 15/7/2004
A 16th franchise will be forced to field a "reserve grade" side unless the NRL grants it a dispensation to negotiate with off-contract players before next year's proposed October anti-tampering deadline.
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Singleton Won’t Cop NRL Snub: Head Bear
By GREG PRICHARD
THE SUN HEARLD - 11/7/2004
Central Coast bid boss Warren Wilson says he can’t believe the NRL isn’t falling over itself to accept the John Singleton-backed Bears as the competition’s 16th team.
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Coaches Split On 16th Team As NRL Call In Experts For Help On Expansion
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - 11/7/2004
The NRL has hired an independent third party to help sift through the options for the code’s expansion. The firm has worked with Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games bid teams and is already polling league fans on their thoughts on a 16th team.
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Official Raiders Match Preview
RAIDERS.COM.AU- 7/7/2004
Injured Fone Zone Canberra Raiders forward Tyran Smith is set for a return to the action this weekend, after being named in the Raiders Premier league lineup for this Saturday's home clash against North Sydney.
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Central Coast Bears Preview
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 29/6/2004
Ever wondered what it would be like to actually see the red and black Bears play out of Gosford Stadium?
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Revitalised Bears End Long Hibernation
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 23/6/2004
How on earth does a team that has lost six games in a row manage to beat a team that has won the same number in succession?
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Singo's Hit List
By BEN BLASCHKE
BIG LEAGUE - 23/6/2004
To be honest, I’d neck myself if the Central Coast came into the competition and I wasn’t
a part of it - PAUL STRINGER
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Bears Hot Despite The Cold
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS WEBSITE - 19/6/2004
The mighty North Sydney Bears threw the form book out the window and defeated the inform Newtown Jets 28 to 18 on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon at Bear Park.
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Buoyant Bears Ready To Rip
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/6/2004
With a handful of teams breathing down their neck, North Sydney’s hugely- improved under-20s team has a wonderful chance to give themselves some relief from the heat tomorrow.
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Tough Bear Skins
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/6/2004
It’s hard to decide who the bravest souls were at North Sydney Oval on Friday.
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Tongue With Bite
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/6/2004
Gary Larson’s tireless efforts as a coach may not earn him a premiership — at least not in 2004— however he will certainly take some beating when it comes to the local quote of the year.
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Real Knight Life
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/6/2004
North Sydney might be struggling in the NSWRL Premier League, but you can’t question their professionalism and commitment.
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All Paws On Deck
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 18/6/2004
Considering that they’re running on a very tight budget, it’s all hands on deck at the Bears these days.
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Bear Cubs Show Up Their Elders
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 16/6/2004
The contrast between North Sydney’s two teams has never been so stark as last Friday night at North Sydney Oval.
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Chow’s Now Poppa Bear
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 11/6/2004
One of North Sydney Rugby League Club’s most popular identities has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring future NSW State of Origin teams aren’t involved in any scandals like the one that marred their build-up to Game 1.
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Bears Finally Back On Home Soil
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 11/6/2004
North Sydney players could be excused for asking directions to their home ground this evening.
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We Want Your Views
BIG LEAGUE - 17/6/2004
Big League and the National Rugby League are asking you, the fans, to tell us what you think of the greatest game of all.
Print out the survey in PDF format here. Also see the editorial about this survey Urgent: Want A Central Coast NRL Team? or print the editorial out as a flyer here.
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Frank Hyde Cup
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS WEBSITE - 17/6/2004
This Saturday is a special occasion for traditional rugby league fans.
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North Sydney The Surprise Packets
by MICHAEL DABIN
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 17/6/2004
North Sydney, the Rip’s opponents this weekend, have been a surprise packet in the competition.
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No Comparison: Singo Doesn't Rate Cartwright Signing
by PAUL NEWMAN
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 10/6/2004
The likely appointment of John Cartwright as coach of the proposed Gold Coast NRL team has drawn criticism from Central Coast Bears boss John Singleton.
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11th June 2004
By STEVE LITTLE
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS WEBSITE - 11/6/2004
On Friday night the talented young North Sydney Jersey Flegg team showed that they are finals contenders with a dominant victory over the Newcastle Knights.
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Bears ‘Gonged On Trip South
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 9/6/2004
The trip south was anything but pleasant for North Sydney’s two rugby league teams on Saturday, as they were both soundly beaten.
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5th June 2004
By STEVE LITTLE
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS WEBSITE - 5/6/2004
The Premier League side improved on their performance against the undefeated Roosters on Saturday, playing another highly placed team in St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium.
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We Need This Man: It's Time For Singo And The Central Coast Club
By ANDREW JOHNS
SUNDAY TELEGRAPH - 6/6/2004
They would back their own side - ANDREW JOHNS
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Bears Looking On Bright Side
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 2/6/2004
To contend that a 30-point beating is a step in the right direction would, under normal circumstances, be considered the height of absurdity.
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Sacking Rocks League's Foundations
By ROY MASTERS
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD - 5/6/2004
Hold on tight, the earth is moving. After a tumultuous week in which two coaches split with their clubs and the game's best executive has joined its most problematic club, a volatile instability still bubbles away beneath the surface of rugby league. Roy Masters reports.
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Bear Park To Host Big League
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 4/6/2004
The costs of holding this game at North Sydney Oval are greatly reduced compared to playing it at Aussie Stadium - DAVID TAPP
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Still Seeing Stars
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 4/6/2004
In one of two injuries above the shoulders to prominent northside footballers last weekend...
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Sema Mataora And His Flash Fends
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 2/6/2004
For most of the season the North Sydney Bears Premier League team has usually taken centre stage as the main match on the day. However...
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There’s Still Another 14 Rounds To Go
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 2/6/2004
The Premier League team suffered another loss to the undefeated Roosters however their performance was improved over their loss to Souths last week.
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Rabbitohs Revive North Sydney Oval With NRL Football
By JEREMY MONAHAN
WWW.SOUTHS.COM.AU - 31/5/2004
The South Sydney Rabbitohs is pleased to announce that its round 24 clash with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles will be played at North Sydney Oval, reconnecting the grand old ground with NRL Football.
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Rugby League Revived, Re-born And Re-badged
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 28/5/2004
Rugby League has been given the chance to flourish again on the mid- North Shore thanks to the revival of a club that was on death’s doorstep.
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Home Crowd Advantage
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 28/5/2004
The fact that “Our house” has become a crowded house is to the advantage of North Sydney’s Jersey Flegg team.
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Don't Fence Us In
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 28/5/2004
Norths certainly copped the rough end of the pineapple as they tried to warm-up on Sunday be fore their Premier League battle with South Sydney at Aussie Stadium.
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Ryan Oversees Coaches For Central Coast Bears
THE SUN WEEKLY - 27/5/2004
Warren Ryan was this week appointed coaching director of the Central Coast Bears, as the club continued its push toward inclusion in the NRL competition in 2006.
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Battling Bears
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 26/5/2004
The deputy leader of the North Sydney Rugby League team did something last weekend that the leader of our nation has studiously refrained from doing.
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Dogs: We'll Be Back
by PAUL NEWMAN
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 25/5/2004
The Bulldogs are keen to play another game at Gosford either next month or next year.
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Roosters Join Flight Path
by PAUL NEWMAN
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 21/5/2004
Central Coast rugby league fans will have their chance to fare well one of the game’s greatest players when Brad Fittler Brad Fittler leads the Roosters on to Express Advocate Stadium in July.
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The Mexican Stand-Off
By MATT JOHNS
RUGBY LEAGUE WEEK - 19/5/2004
Melbourne’s Matt Orford opens up about the ticking time bomb south of the border.
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Ryan Appointed Coach Of Bears
AAP - 25/5/2004
Former premiership-winning coach Warren Ryan has been appointed coaching director of the Central Coast Bears franchise as it bids for inclusion in the National Rugby League.
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Lessons To Be Learnt In Norths Loss To South Sydney
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 27/5/2004
North Sydney's Premier League coach Gary Larson believes too many minor mistakes are not allowing his team to play to their full potential.
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Exciting Win By Norths Sees Them Remain In The Top Eight
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 26/5/2004
Little did the early crowd at Aussie Stadium know that the Jersey Flegg clash between foundation clubs South Sydney and North Sydney would be the most exciting match of the day.
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Flo’s Better By Halves
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 14/5/2004
As if playing a record 285 first grade games wasn’t enough, Greg Florimo continues his tireless dedication to the North Sydney Rugby League club.
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Snubbed Player Looks At Overseas Move
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 14/5/2004
Former Terrigal Shark Glenn Morrison said he will consider moving overseas to play out his career after being snubbed by NSW State of Origin rugby league selectors this week.
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Proud To Call It Home
by GABILIELLE DUNLEVY
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 14/5/2004
The Entrance State Labor MP Grant McBride has paid tribute to National Rugby League players proud to call the Central Coast home.
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Teamwork Sees Politicians On Side
by GABILIELLE DUNLEVY
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS - 14/5/2004
Labor and Liberal politicians have put aside their differences in State Parliament to officially en dorse a resolution calling on the National Rugby League to accept a Central Coast team in time for the 2006 season.
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Nothing Personal In Upcoming Clash
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 21/5/2004
When the draw for this season’s Premier League was released, Scott McLean took special interest in when he’d be coming up against South Sydney.
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Young Footy Fans At Gosford Stadium
By STEVE CARTER
THE SUN WEEKLY - 20/5/2004
I sat in the grandstand watching the Cowboys and Souths last Saturday night along with 10,000 others, and I thought back to the days when Penrith’s average crowds dropped to about 7000 because of the Super League fiasco.
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Presenting Master Reader Of The Play Ben Black
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 19/5/2004
A disappointing first half from the North Sydney Premier League team against Parramatta on Sunday could not ellipse the talent of Norths half back and captain Ben Black.
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Jersey Flegg Compete Against Top Rated Eels
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 19/5/2004
A good team came up against an even better team on Sunday when the North Sydney Jersey Flegg team were competitive against the highly rated Parramatta Eels.
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Larson Laments Loss
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 19/5/2004
North Sydney Premier League coach Gary Larson has pleaded with his squad to “give themselves a chance” after their finals pros pects took another jolt on the weekend.
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Rested Bears Say Bye To Dream Run
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 12/5/2004
The fears that North Sydney’s coaching staff had over the impact of the bye were realised on Saturday when the side suffered their heaviest defeat in a month.
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Bears March Into History
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 30/4/2004
The management of Luna Park deserves to be congratulated for the wonderful exhibition on the history of the North Sydney Rugby League Club that has been running for the past month since Sydney’s house of fun re-opened.
See photos of this exhibition in the Photo Gallery: North Sydney Bears Luna Park Exhibition, April 2004. - BIG-STEVE
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VB Premier League Report
NSWRL WEBSITE - 11/5/2004
The even nature of the VB Premier League shone through the bleak weather last weekend, with all three of the top sides on the competition table tasting defeat and four of the bottom five clubs picking up points.
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Bears Defeat The Rip In Jersey Flegg
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 11/5/2004
In what may or may not become a local darby of the future foundation club North Sydney had a strong win against newcomers The Central Coast Rip.
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Bears Loose Out To Jets In Frank Hyde Cup
By BIG-STEVE
BIG STEVE'S RED AND BLACK SITE - 11/5/2004
The second leg of the annual Frank Hyde Cup was played out on Saturday between the two fundation clubs of North Sydney and Newton. In a well contested game the Jets ran out winners to take the Cup for the year having also won the first of three matches played on 21st February.
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Chan Sparks A New Spirit
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 7/5/2004
For me, it’s all about having fun. If you weren’t having fun, you’d give it away - MICHAEL CHAN.
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Brand Buzz Word
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 7/5/2004
There’s a new buzz word in rugby league, it seems.
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Sending A Message
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 7/5/2004
The timing of tonight’s City versus Country match couldn’t be better from a North Sydney point of view, as they seek re-admission to the National Rugby League under the guise of the Central Coast Bears.
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$1m Threat To Newcastle: Knights Object To Expanded Competition
By DEAN RITCHIE
DAILY TELEGRAPH - 6/5/2004
Newcastle have told the NRL the club could lose up to $1 million if the Central Coast became rugby league’s 16th franchise.
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NRL Push For Bears
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 5/5/2004
Today shapes as a critical stage in North Sydney’s battle for re-admission to the National Rugby League under the guise of the Central Coast Bears.
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Media Release: NSW Premier Bob Carr Supports Central Coast NRL Team
MEDIA RELEASE
CENTRAL COAST RUGBY LEAGUE - 4/5/2004
Read Bob Carr's original letter in full: The case for a Central Coast team in the National Rugby League is compelling — a brief any advocate would be happy to argue look at the evidence:. - BIG-STEVE
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NRL Seeks More Info On New Team
AAP - 5/5/2004
The National Rugby League will seek further information on the viability of a 16th team after its partnership committee considered three bids today.
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NRL Not Convinced To Expand
By CHRIS STEDMAN
THE AUSTRALIAN - 5/5/2004
Despite a personal guarantee to financially underwrite a team on the Central Coast of NSW by media mogul John Singleton, the NRL will today defer a decision on expanding the current 15-team premiership.
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Bad News Tipped For Consortiums
By DEAN RITCHIE and FREYA GRANT
DAILY TELEGRAPH - 5/5/2004
The NRL partnership committee will meet today to discuss the possibility of an expanded 16- team competition. But already there is opposition from clubs.
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From The Bears Den - May
By GREG FLORIMO
THE BEARS MAGAZINE - 5/2004
As you read this the case for a Central Coast Bears’ inclusion into the NRL should be resolved, or at least close to a resolution.
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The Luck Of The Draw
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 30/4/2004
The draw for the 2004 NSWRL Premier League hasn’t done any favours to North Sydney as they attempt to cast off the wooden spoon.
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Bear Market: Singo Sums Up Gosford Bid And Says It Won't Cost A Cent
By ROY MASTERS
THE SYDNEY MORNING HEARLD - 30/4/2004
'They are custodians of the game yet are ignoring a foundation club, North Sydney' - JOHN SINGLETON.
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A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words
By JASON COSTIGAN
RUGBY LEAGUE WEEK - 28/4/2004
‘I don’t really care who wins, loses or draws anymore… no Norths, no interest’
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Red And Black Goddesses Inspire Bears To Victory
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 28/4/04
It was a sight that had not graced a League match at North Sydney Oval for 3 years as the official North Sydney Bears Cheer Girls made their first appearance for the Year as the Bears Premier League and Jersey Flegg teams both recorded fine wins against Western Suburbs.
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Bears Claw Back Into Contention
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 28/4/2004
North Sydney Premier League captain Ben Black is convinced his vastly- improved line-up has what it takes to leap from the wooden spoon to the semi-finals in just 12 months.
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McLean Manic To Make Amends
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 23/4/2004
Brad McLean is hoping to be a contented yet weary young man by the time the sun goes down tomorrow.
That’s if he gets anywhere near his objectives for North Sydney’s Premier League match against Western Suburbs at North Sydney Oval.
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Our Comeback Kids
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 23/4/2004
In their previous life, the North Sydney Bears became famous — particularly in the 1970s and ‘80s — for being able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
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No Panic In The Bears Camp
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 21/4/04
Picture this: It's less than a minute into the start of the match and the opposition scores a try. A few minutes after another and yet another in the space of 5 minutes totally overwhelming your team and putting you on the back foot.
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A Fishy Try
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 16/4/2004
The Bears’ 24-20 triumph against the Sharks was another example of what goes around comes around.
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Just Like Lazarus
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 16/4/2004
Make no mistake about it — last Saturday’s miracle recovery by the Bears against Cronulla at Toyota Park was one of the greatest come backs of all time.
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Bulldogs Are Coming
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 16/4/2004
You can almost hear Paul Revere riding down Miller St shouting, “the Bulldogs are coming, the Bulldogs are coming!”.
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Bears Are Back In Town
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 16/4/2004
Six rounds into its 2004 campaign, North Sydney finally gets to re-acquaint itself with the familiar feel of home turf on Sunday.
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Uncovered What Happened Next: March 29, 1970 Irvine Walk-off
By GRANTLEE KIEZA
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH - 15/4/2004
North Sydney boasted the highest-paid coach in the history of rugby league and the game’s most exciting player. But despite the abundance of riches in personnel they had an impoverished relationship with the leading referee.
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Footy Chiefs Outline Club Rules For The ‘Hunting Season’
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 2/4/2004
They may not boast the lofty profiles of their NRL and AFL counterparts, however the North Shore’s three major football clubs are all on their guard in the wake of the spate of sexual assault allegations that have marred the season’s commencement.
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Bears Stun Sharks
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 14/4/2004
Reports of North Sydney’s demise as a Rugby League club would seem to be grossly exaggerated.
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The Big Black Bears Are Back On The Road Again, Back On The Road Again...
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 14/4/04
We know they were capable of it and on Saturday against the Cronulla Sharks the Bears Premier League team fulfilled all our expectations that was simply outstanding.
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Bears Not Sheep
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 9/4/2004
North Sydney’s Premier League team didn’t go to Brookvale Oval expecting the red carpet to be rolled out last Sunday, but they certainly didn’t expect — or deserve — to be treated like cattle either.
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Bears Jersey Flegg Back On Track With A Win Against Manly
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 6/4/04
It was the day many die-hard Bears and Manly supporters had been waiting for - Manly V Norths at Brookie. For the Jersey Flegg team it was a win that moved them in to the top eight and an exciting game to boot.
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Orford Has Sights Set On Coast
By FREYA GRANT
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH - 3/4/2004
Pint-sized Melbourne halfback Matt Orford plans to prolong contract negotiations with the Storm after winning selection in the 25-man Australian squad announced this week.
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Stringer Eyes Central Coast
BIG LEAGUE - 18/3/2004
The Rabbitohs are in danger of losing representative prop Paul Stringer - their best player of the past two seasons.
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Singleton's Dream
By PAUL NEWMAN
CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS ADVOCATE - 2/4/2004
Millionaire businessman John Singleton will achieve hero status on the Central Coast if he succeeds in establishing the ara's own NRL team. Central Coast Express Advocate sports editor Paul Newman caught up with Singleton to ask why bringing a team to the coast means so much to him and why he thinks it will come to fruition.
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Rivalry Flares Again
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 2/4/2004
Hate is a pretty strong word.
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Bears Continue To Improve
By BIG-STEVE
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 31/3/04
The North Sydney Bears Premier League team improved over last weeks' lost to Balmain with a stronger showing in the second half resulting in a 16 point difference on the final score 42-26 to Canberra.
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Different Day But A Replay
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 31/3/2004
Again I'm not sure I agree with the headline and introduction. - BIG-STEVE
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We Will Rock You
By PETER BADEL and NEIL CADIGAN
BIG LEAGUE - 18/3/2004
An audacious Wellington bid team rode into Sydney this week boasting it is the place to host a 16th NRL team should the game decide to expand in 2006. This after the Gold Coast and Central  Coast stepped up their plans to woo the NRL.
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Grudge Match Of The Year
By ROS DARE
BIG-STEVE'S RED & BLACK SITE - 31/3/2004
Great poster of the upcoming match against Manly. - BIG-STEVE
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Race For The 16th Franchise: Don't Stuff Us Around
By DAVID ROWLANDS
RUGBY LEAGUE WEEK - 17/3/2004
Hand's up who recognises one of our stickers. - BIG-STEVE
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The Battle For 16th Place: Gold Coast Or Central Coast?
RUGBY LEAGUE REVIEW - 3/2004
Both North Sydney and Cold Coast are in the same position. Once a participant of the NRL competition, they live in the hope of returning in the near future but have no idea when, and if, that will eventuate.
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Groundhog Day For Bad News Bears
By DAVID ROWLANDS
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 24/3/2004
I'm not sure I agree with the headline and introduction. Quoting catch cries from the 1980's has nothing to do with the Bears current situation. However the match discription is pretty much on the ball. - BIG-STEVE
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Larson Hopeful, But Realistic
By ROB KELLY
NORTH SHORE TIMES - 19/3/2004
Cohesion will be central to the hopes of the North Sydney Bears this season, in the opinion of coach Gary Larson, as the Premiership strugglers look to improve on last years perform ance when their campaign opens on Saturday against Balmain.
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Sums Don't Add Up
By PHIL GOULD