Greg Florimo on the Bears' New Era

In a candid interview on the Chiming In podcast, Bears legend Greg "Papa Bear" Florimo opened up about the decades of heartbreak, his own "death wobbles," and the overwhelming relief of seeing the red and black back on the national stage.

For nearly a quarter of a century, the North Sydney Bears have been described by those who love them as an "abandoned ship" floating on an ocean of nostalgia. This week, the ship finally reached the shore with the confirmation of the club’s return to the NRL via a new Western Australia-based franchise.

A Reward for the Faithful

For Florimo, who played a record 285 first-grade games for the club, the news is more than just a business deal; it is a "just reward" for a fan base that refused to let the brand die.

Florimo admitted he never thought he would see this day, describing the years following the club's 1999 exit as a period where the club was left to drift. He expressed immense gratitude that the NRL has finally recognized the value and heritage of the Bears brand, bringing it back into the fold to give the fans what they have been fighting for.

The new franchise will act as a unique hybrid, bridging the gap between Western Australia and the traditional North Sydney heartland. Florimo confirmed that the existing North Sydney infrastructure—including junior representative teams and the NSW Cup side—will continue to operate as a vital pathway and feeder system for the new NRL side.

Skateboards and Stitches: The Florimo Debut

Reflecting on his own career, Florimo shared the humorous story behind his 1986 first-grade debut. While he became famous for playing in headgear, the reason was far from a tactical choice.

The legend revealed that he had actually fallen off his skateboard the day before the match while being towed by a friend's car. After suffering "the death wobbles" and crashing, he required seven stitches. To hide the injury from his coach and satisfy his mother’s concerns, he donned the headgear that would become part of his early signature look.

The Legend of 'Jacko'

The interview also touched on the late Peter Jackson, a close friend and teammate of Florimo. "Jacko" was remembered not just as a superstar who could change a game with a single pass, but as a legendary character off the field.

Florimo recounted a classic "Jacko" moment during a team meeting with a dietitian. When the team was being lectured on the difference between fat and cholesterol, Jackson reportedly cut through the scientific jargon with a quick-witted remark: "I’ve never woken up with a cholesterol in the morning."

Unfinished Business

Despite his legendary status, Florimo remains "tempered" by the fact that the Bears never secured a premiership during their high-flying run in the 1990s, falling short in four preliminary finals. He singled out the 1997 loss to the Newcastle Knights as the one that remains the most painful to look back on.

However, with the Perth-Bears merger on the horizon, Florimo is optimistic that the next generation of players won't have to wait as long for success. He noted that he looks forward to seeing a new crop of players wearing the red and black and eventually breaking his long-standing club records.

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.