“The NRL have to get serious and have to treat us with more respect and not like a cash cow,” Cook said. “Western Australia is a unique part of Australia and perhaps he [Peter V’Landys] just doesn’t particularly understand how WA works. “We hear from the NRL through the eastern states media and that’s been a disappointing feature of the discussions we’ve had with them. We remain open to any formal response to our offer, but … the delta between WA’s position and the NRL’s position is very large and will be difficult to bridge.” A rugby league team in Perth would have to compete for eyeballs in an AFL-focused state. When asked if he believes the Kerry Stokes-owned 7West – which holds rights to the AFL – had tried to torpedo the Bears’ bid, Cook said he believed it was possible.