NRL giants plan WA showdown

A second National Rugby League match is being planned for Perth - a rematch of last season's infamous Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm "Battle of Brookvale" clash.

Reigning NRL premiers Manly are negotiating to stage the game at Patersons Stadium during the June 15-18 weekend.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are bringing their match against the Broncos to nib Stadium on March 23, their fourth visit to Perth.

The Sea Eagles-Storm game would be the first time the two teams have fronted each other since last August, when the game erupted into a wild brawl.

Ten players were hit with 11 charges and both clubs were fined $50,000 after ugly scenes marred the 18-4 win to Manly.

WA Rugby League chief executive John Sackson said bringing the game to Perth was a Manly initiative.

"They are inspired by the success of the Rabbitohs and they have been in discussions for several months with the NRL," Sackson said. "It will all come down to whether financially the numbers stack up to make it viable."

It is understood the game would have to be played at Patersons because of a contract clause South Sydney have with nib Stadium.

The WARL is pushing for a Perth NRL side in an expanded competition in three years, and Sackson said the success of Saturday's NRL trial at nib Stadium between St George Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys, with a crowd of more than 8500, showed Perth was ready for a side.

"I was very, very pleased. To get that crowd on a weekend when there was a fair bit of sport in Perth was very pleasing," he said.

"Also, given that in a few weeks we have the Rabbitohs here, there was pressure on the discretionary dollar.

"I was delighted. There was plenty of atmosphere, people were passionate, the game was a pretty good spectacle and it was another step in the right direction."

The Cowboys won 18-12 after fending off a St George fight-back.

The Dragons had been stunned earlier by an 18-point Cowboys' scoring burst in the opening 20 minutes.

Dragons coach Steve Price, in his debut in charge, may have to shuffle his side before Saturday's Charity Shield match against the Rabbitohs after Atela Vea (knee) and Dan Hunt (ribs) left the game early.