Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[Perth Red]

I expect George Williams to be our first major signing.

At 33 when we kick off I hope not, though he has announced he is moving back to NRL at end of 2026 (all be it rumour is to Dolphins)

Decent half backs in UK and age in 2027

Brodie Croft 30 (contract ends 2026)
Bevan French 31 (contract ends 2028)
Harry Smith 27 (contract ends 2027)
Lachlan Lam 29 (contract ends 2025)
Mikey Lewis 26 (contract ends 2028)

Ideally Toby Sexton would sign a 1 year deal at dogs and come to then come to Perth along with Mahoney at hooker.

 

[shadowformz]

Does anyone have the text for this article.

REVEALED: Perth Bears planning audacious raid on AFL stars

The Perth Bears, the National Rugby League’s newest team, are planning a raid on our very own AFL players, The West Australian’s anonymous columnist The Snitch can reveal.

thewest.com.au

 

[Perth Red]

Cobbo only signed one year with Dolphins. Maybe Perth FB for 2027?

 

[Centy Coast]

Cobbo only signed one year with Dolphins. Maybe Perth FB for 2027?

You would certainly have to look at any players signing one year contracts for 2026 and wonder ?.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

You would certainly have to look at any players signing one year contracts for 2026 and wonder ?.

He doesn’t want to be too far from his home. 2026 is just a trial year with Phins to see how he goes. They will have more cash to spend for 2027 with a number of backs coming off contract.

This is the reason he took less to sign with Dolphins than what Cowboys offered. If Cobbo were to go to Perth (as much as I’d personally like it) it would realistically end with him looking for an early release to head back to QLD. Just is what it is.

 

[Centy Coast]

He doesn’t want to be too far from his home. 2026 is just a trial year with Phins to see how he goes. They will have more cash to spend for 2027 with a number of backs coming off contract.

This is the reason he took less to sign with Dolphins than what Cowboys offered. If Cobbo were to go to Perth (as much as I’d personally like it) it would realistically end with him looking for an early release to head back to QLD. Just is what it is.

That’s why they need to sign family as well, sign Daniel Saifiti you sign Jacob,
sign David Fifita you sign Jojo,
sign Tino Fa’auamaleaui you sign Iszac,
sign Payne Haas you sign Klese
That’s what I would do anyways especially with a side like Perth, and more importantly if their sibling can also play.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Perth Bears director says NRL players already reaching out for contracts​

Peter Maniaty
1 hour ago9:10 am AEST
https://library.nospam47.com/styles/crop_style_16_9_desktop_webp/s3/2025-07/GettyImages-2221781768.jpg.webp?itok=ym94d4Aa

North Sydney Bears chairman and inaugural Perth Bears board director, Daniel Dickson, has denied the new NRL club will face a player shortage when it enters the competition in 2027.
Speaking to Sports Breakfast on Tuesday, an upbeat Dickson said things were moving fast for the NRL’s 18th franchise following the appointments of chief executive, Anthony De Ceglie, and head coach, Mal Meninga.

“It’s historic, being the first two-city team in rugby league, the people in Perth have been dying for this,” he said.
“Every away game for the Bears is going to be a home game for east coasters, so I think it’s worked out perfectly,” Dickson said, hinting at the possibility of some games being played at the spiritual home of the North Sydney Bears, North Sydney Oval.
MORE: Perth Bears potential signings, the NRL stars that could be targeted by new franchise
“It would be packed to the rafters,” he said, suggesting the club can also expect to enjoy strong fan support at HBF Park in Perth.
“There are so many fans in Perth, and WA at large, who are looking forward to having (regular) rugby league and celebrating that.”
“The good clubs have 30,000 members, I think we can absolutely get there as well,” Dickson declared.
Sponsors play a critical role in any successful NRL club and, again, Dickson is bullish about the potential to forge strong commercial partnerships in the west.
“We’ve already had businesses in contact saying they want to be part of the Perth Bears,” he revealed.
“With the economic climate in WA, I’m sure they’re going to absolutely eat this up.
“Several of our (North Sydney) sponsors have also said ‘we want to have involvement in the Perth Bears jersey, we have business in Perth,’ so I really think the sponsorship and corporate side isn’t going to be an issue.”
With the club’s first NRL match barely 18 months away, assembling a competitive playing roster is understandably high on the club’s list of priorities.
“In a perfect world we would have loved a two-year run in to build that roster, but there’s no perfect world,” Dickson said.
“The Dolphins had less than two years and they’ve done an amazing job.
“I’ve already had a lot of players reach out to me—and I’m just on the board—Mal (Meninga) would have been inundated by now.
“There are a lot of good players coming off contract, and we’re excited for that, I don’t think we’re going to have a skills shortage at all.”

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Jayden Campbell. There’s noise.

 

[Perth Red]

I see Jacob Preston name mentioned today as well, though he’s under contract till end of ‘27.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I see Jacob Preston name mentioned today as well, though he’s under contract till end of ‘27.

“Mentioned “ = on Mals radar …. “ if he becomes available why wouldn’t we have interest?”

Mal interview when he was appointed - “you would like to have everyone “

I think Mal is going to have “ interest “ in any name put up to him for a while

 

[Perth Red]

Surprised we didnt get Toby Sexton?

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Surprised we didnt get Toby Sexton?

Why are you surprised? Genuine question.

He is a solid half in a great football system.

However he struggled for consistency for a few consecutive seasons prior to 2025, even then with the Dogs flying he still wasn’t a consistent week to week half.

Has done a serviceable job though, has upside, if it’s to be believed then the strength of his communication on field is his biggest current issue.

Not sure he is in the top 10 half backs Bears need to kick off at this stage.

 

[Perth Red]

Why are you surprised? Genuine question.

He is a solid half in a great football system.

However he struggled for consistency for a few consecutive seasons prior to 2025, even then with the Dogs flying he still wasn’t a consistent week to week half.

Has done a serviceable job though, has upside, if it’s to be believed then the strength of his communication on field is his biggest current issue.

Not sure he is in the top 10 half backs Bears need to kick off at this stage.

Largely because I'm not sure there's going to be a lot of choice of first grade halfbacks with plenty of NRL experience available for 2027. Who else is off contract that's a realistic chance of being signed at 7?

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Largely because I'm not sure there's going to be a lot of choice of first grade halfbacks with plenty of NRL experience available for 2027. Who else is off contract that's a realistic chance of being signed at 7?

I don’t disagree with you. But without a system in place it would be quite the gamble to throw a guy like Sexton in.

As far as off contract NRL halves go:

FIVE-EIGHTH​

Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Luke Metcalf, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere

HALFBACK​

Coby Black, Tanah Boyd, Gerome Burns, Jack Cogger, Adam Cook, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dean Hawkins, Zac Herdegen, Jahrome Hughes, Lachlan Ilias, Jock Madden, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxon Purdue, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Sandon Smith, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart

From that list: obviously Hughes is the best but Luke Metcalf should be heavily looked at. Sandon Smith has upside and can play, Puru is a genuine talent, Wishart and Cole could work in the 5’8 role. Coles already being looked at anyways.

Punting on Black could have similar results to Phins punting on Katoa.

Im not sure about the ESL halves off contract.

 

[Centy Coast]

I don’t disagree with you. But without a system in place it would be quite the gamble to throw a guy like Sexton in.

As far as off contract NRL halves go:

FIVE-EIGHTH​

Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Luke Metcalf, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere

HALFBACK​

Coby Black, Tanah Boyd, Gerome Burns, Jack Cogger, Adam Cook, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dean Hawkins, Zac Herdegen, Jahrome Hughes, Lachlan Ilias, Jock Madden, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxon Purdue, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Sandon Smith, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart

From that list: obviously Hughes is the best but Luke Metcalf should be heavily looked at. Sandon Smith has upside and can play, Puru is a genuine talent, Wishart and Cole could work in the 5’8 role. Coles already being looked at anyways.

Punting on Black could have similar results to Phins punting on Katoa.

Im not sure about the ESL halves off contract.

Halfback Luke Metcalf would be a good get, has just done his acl so might come at a discount, Tyran Wishart as he can cover multiple roles and with Cameron Munster (5/8) and Harry Grant (hooker)in front of him at the Storm could be an easy get.
Bring Josh Rogers back home to WA.
I feel that the Titans may lose a few.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Halfback Luke Metcalf would be a good get, has just done his acl so might come at a discount, Tyran Wishart as he can cover multiple roles and with Cameron Munster (5/8) and Harry Grant (hooker)in front of him at the Storm could be an easy get.
Bring Josh Rogers back home to WA.
I feel that the Titans may lose a few.

From what I can tell - there are 3 genuine Titans players that have had their managers make enquiries.

 

[Artiste]

Surprised we didnt get Toby Sexton?

Reckon he’ll go there after the Catalans stint

 

[Perth Red]

I don’t disagree with you. But without a system in place it would be quite the gamble to throw a guy like Sexton in.

As far as off contract NRL halves go:

FIVE-EIGHTH​

Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Luke Metcalf, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere

HALFBACK​

Coby Black, Tanah Boyd, Gerome Burns, Jack Cogger, Adam Cook, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Dean Hawkins, Zac Herdegen, Jahrome Hughes, Lachlan Ilias, Jock Madden, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxon Purdue, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Sandon Smith, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart

From that list: obviously Hughes is the best but Luke Metcalf should be heavily looked at. Sandon Smith has upside and can play, Puru is a genuine talent, Wishart and Cole could work in the 5’8 role. Coles already being looked at anyways.

Punting on Black could have similar results to Phins punting on Katoa.

Im not sure about the ESL halves off contract.I’d take wishare at 6

id take wishart at 6 but not many 7’s on that list that are realistically goignto be available id take over this years sexton.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

id take wishart at 6 but not many 7’s on that list that are realistically goignto be available id take over this years sexton.

I get it.

If it isn’t Hughes (likely to not be) then Pezet needs to be considered. He has done a good apprenticeship in the Storm system and wouldn’t break the bank. Both he and Sua Faalogo have get out clauses (if Hughes and Papenhuyzen are resigned).

Metcalf is another one that needs to be looked at. Although he has had a history is injuries.

Sexton’s had a good season where he has still had some average games within hence he isn’t being resigned by Dogs. I like Toby but he is limited and not necessarily the half required to launch a team. I’d take him as a squad member though.

Wishart could be a good 6. He just needs a run there; he plays so many positions - there’s a lot of Connor Watson about him. Jack Cole is similar.

Whoever the halves are; they’ll need to be dynamic from the get go.

 

[Stake Removed]

Luai has option end of each year I believe