Roger Cook loves rugby league. Really, really loves it.

It’s a love that hasn’t been diminished by the overwhelming indifference to the object of his affection from his fellow West Australians.

Their apathy has only intensified his adoration and strengthened his determination to make you love rugby league too.

If only he could convince you to tear your eyes away from Aussie Rules to watch a single game (they’re only 80 minutes!) he knows you’d see what he sees.

Roger. Mate. Stop trying to make rugby league happen.

According to the Australian Sports Commission’s Ausplay sporting census, 6188 West Australians took part in organised rugby league in 2023-24. That puts it about on par with frisbee (5801) and jujitsu (5771) in terms of participation.

Sensibly, the Australian Flying Disc Association — the nation’s peak frisbee body — hasn’t asked the WA Government for $320 million to shift an east coast-based frisbee franchise west.

That’s how much the National Rugby League wants WA to cough up to revive the Western Bears proposal, under which the North Sydney Bears — a team ejected from the game’s premier league a quarter of a century ago — would move across the Nullarbor to compete under a Perth badge.

That eye-watering price tag would include a $120m licence fee as well as an estimated $200m to upgrade HBF Park.

It is far too price to pay, a fact even Mr Cook admits. He called the proposed price tag “ridiculous”.

“I like (NRL boss) Peter V’landys, we’ve had great conversations, but if he thinks that Western Australians are going to be treated as second-class NRL citizens, if he thinks we’re going to see a repeat of the Western Reds, he’s got another thought coming. The deal is off.”

But he hasn’t given up entirely, saying there is still a possibility that WA will write a big cheque to the NRL in the future.

How much is too much? $100m? Double that?

Mr Cook was coy on what the magic number might be.

Any potential deal will need to secure top value for money for West Australian taxpayers.

Most West Aussies, whose sporting loyalties lie elsewhere, won’t be thrilled with splashing tens or hundreds of millions to import a bunch of Sydney-based players west.

Given how low participation numbers are in WA currently, it would take decades — and many more millions — before a true local talent pipeline is established to sustain a top-flight team.

Meanwhile, despite being home to the most successful team in the NBL’s history, Perth has a dire shortage of indoor basketball courts.

Basketball WA estimates they need 30 new courts in the metropolitan region and another 50 in the regions to meet player demand.

The number of Indigenous players reaching the AFL has fallen off a cliff as bush pathway programs flounder.

WA has a proud sporting history. Any taxpayer money must go to where it will best serve West Australian interests.