Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[SirPies&Beers]

@Red&BlackBear

Josh Curran Signs With Perth Bears - Perth Bears

The new year has kicked off with a bang for the Perth Bears with Josh Curran agreeing to join the club on a three-year deal to start in 2027.

perthbears.com.au

Josh Curran Signs With Perth Bears​

The new year has kicked off with a bang for the Perth Bears with Josh Curran agreeing to join the club on a three-year deal to start in 2027.
A proud Dharug man, Curran represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2024 and is certain to be mainstay for the Bears forward pack in 2027 and beyond.
Since making his debut in 2019, the 26-year-old forward has played 106 First Grade matches with the Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors and now Canterbury Bulldogs.
Curran’s tenacity and commitment on the field is matched only by his attitude to make a positive difference in the community off it.
It’s this desire to invest in creating a new culture and community that represents the ambition of Western Australia while recognising the history and tradition of the North Sydney Bears that proved too hard for Curran to ignore.
“This is an exciting opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” Curran said.
“The chance to be a part of the Bears inaugural squad, to have my name as one of their first signings is surreal.
“I’m passionate about getting out in the community and to have the opportunity to create something from the ground up that can inspire a whole state also motives me.
“This is history for our game and I’m super excited to be a part of it.”
Head Coach Mal Meninga said he was delighted to welcome Josh Curran to the club.
“Josh brings a unique combination of skill and finesse with the ball along with tenacity in defence. He plays with intensity and a commitment to be make his teammates shine,” Meninga said.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with Josh off the field too. He is a leader who spends countless hours investing back into the community.
“Josh is a fantastic signing for the Bears and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with him in 2027.”

Curran confirmed.

It would seem he would’ve been locked away and only now announced (with peoples coming back from holidays etc).

who are other 3? Wishy Meaney and Shibasaki?


isn't interesting how reports knew weeks ago curran was heading to bears but only just announced...

 

[SirPies&Beers]

@Red&BlackBear

Josh Curran Signs With Perth Bears - Perth Bears

The new year has kicked off with a bang for the Perth Bears with Josh Curran agreeing to join the club on a three-year deal to start in 2027.

perthbears.com.au

Curran confirmed.

It would seem he would’ve been locked away and only now announced (with peoples coming back from holidays etc).

who are other 3? Wishy Meaney and Shibasaki?

more on Curran

'Chance to be part of history': Curran joins Perth Bears

Indigenous All Stars forward Josh Curran is the eighth player to sign with Perth Bears ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2027.

www.nrl.com

Workhorse forward becomes eighth Bears signing

'An opportunity I couldn't pass up'

www.nine.com.au

New Perth team adds most experienced NRL player yet to inaugural roster

The Perth Bears land their most experienced NRL player so far in their recruitment drive, signing Canterbury's Josh Curran on a three-year deal.

www.abc.net.au

Ex-Warrior Curran signs with NRL expansion side Perth

Canterbury forward Josh Curran has signed a three-year deal with Perth, becoming the first 100-game NRL player to join the new franchise.

sportnation.nz

Bears sign Bulldogs star on multi-year deal

He will join the club from 2027.

www.zerotackle.com

Perth add most experienced name to roster with Curran

Canterbury forward Josh Curran has signed a three-year deal with Perth, becoming the first 100-game NRL player to...

www.canberratimes.com.au

‘Surreal’: Josh Curran the latest NRL star to sign with the Perth Bears​

The Perth Bears have landed another astute signing by poaching a versatile forward from a major Sydney club.

Martin Gabor
less than 2 min read
January 7, 2026 - 9:48AM


Perth’s inaugural squad is starting to take shape after the Bears locked in another key piece of the puzzle with versatile forward Josh Curran agreeing to make the move west on a three-year deal.


While it took some time for their recruitment drive to get going, the Bears have now locked in some important signings with Curran joining the likes of Toby Sexton, Liam Henry and Harry Newman for the 2027 campaign.

Curran brings a wealth of experience having played for the Roosters, Warriors and Bulldogs, with the 26-year-old in the prime of his career and boasting the ability to play on an edge or in the middle.

That versatility and his big motor are just what the Bears need to be competitive from the outset.

Josh Curran is the latest NRL star to sign with the Bears. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“This is an exciting opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” Curran said.

“The chance to be a part of the Bears inaugural squad, to have my name as one of their first signings is surreal.

“I’m passionate about getting out in the community and to have the opportunity to create something from the ground up that can inspire a whole state also motives me.

“This is history for our game and I’m super excited to be a part of it.”

Bears coach Mal Meninga now has the makings of a quality forward pack, with the next step trying to sign some superstar talent in the spine.

“Josh brings a unique combination of skill and finesse with the ball along with tenacity in defence. He plays with intensity and a commitment to be make his teammates shine,” he said.

“I couldn’t be more impressed with Josh off the field too. He is a leader who spends countless hours investing back into the community.

“Josh is a fantastic signing for the Bears and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with him in 2027.”

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/surreal-josh-curran-the-latest-nrl-star-to-sign-with-the-perth-bears/news-story/195d08598d0f8cb2690c137b9e390051

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/perth-bears-sign-enforcer-josh-curran-from-bulldogs-on-threeyear-deal-from-2027/news-story/b8e6ef6fefed071a71240bf5500a1c9e

 

[Gobsmacked]

@Red&BlackBear

Josh Curran Signs With Perth Bears - Perth Bears

The new year has kicked off with a bang for the Perth Bears with Josh Curran agreeing to join the club on a three-year deal to start in 2027.

perthbears.com.au

Josh Curran Signs With Perth Bears​

The new year has kicked off with a bang for the Perth Bears with Josh Curran agreeing to join the club on a three-year deal to start in 2027.
A proud Dharug man, Curran represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2024 and is certain to be mainstay for the Bears forward pack in 2027 and beyond.
Since making his debut in 2019, the 26-year-old forward has played 106 First Grade matches with the Sydney Roosters, New Zealand Warriors and now Canterbury Bulldogs.
Curran’s tenacity and commitment on the field is matched only by his attitude to make a positive difference in the community off it.
It’s this desire to invest in creating a new culture and community that represents the ambition of Western Australia while recognising the history and tradition of the North Sydney Bears that proved too hard for Curran to ignore.
“This is an exciting opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” Curran said.
“The chance to be a part of the Bears inaugural squad, to have my name as one of their first signings is surreal.
“I’m passionate about getting out in the community and to have the opportunity to create something from the ground up that can inspire a whole state also motives me.
“This is history for our game and I’m super excited to be a part of it.”
Head Coach Mal Meninga said he was delighted to welcome Josh Curran to the club.
“Josh brings a unique combination of skill and finesse with the ball along with tenacity in defence. He plays with intensity and a commitment to be make his teammates shine,” Meninga said.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with Josh off the field too. He is a leader who spends countless hours investing back into the community.
“Josh is a fantastic signing for the Bears and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with him in 2027.”

Curran confirmed.

It would seem he would’ve been locked away and only now announced (with peoples coming back from holidays etc).

who are other 3? Wishy Meaney and Shibasaki?

View attachment 108828
isn't interesting how reports knew weeks ago curran was heading to bears but only just announced...

Red and Black Bear made the claim that the Bears had reached their goal of signing over 10 players on December 10.
That's 4 weeks ago..
That's a very long lag!
And they surely didn't all just sign on the 10th..
So his claim pre-dates that by at least a week.
So we are seeing a 5 week lag in-between when a player has been signed and announced ( provided they announced them nowish..)

Perth should be fighting for the smallest lag in their position.

Have we got any evidence that Curran signed way back then??

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Perth Bears tracker: Every player signing so far, top targets, best 17 for 2027 NRL season​

The Bears are beginning to take shape, filling out their roster for entry into the NRL in 2027. See all their signings so far, how their line-up is looking and more.

3 min read
January 7, 2026 - 1:40PM
It was a slow start, but signings are now coming in thick and fast for the Perth Bears ahead of their NRL entry in 2027.

The newest expansion side faces the daunting task of filling a top-30 roster to compete with the big guns in their inaugural season, but the squad is beginning to take shape as players commit to the move out west.

We have you covered with all the Bears’ official signings, their best line-up so far, plus all the latest transfer speculation and rumours.

NRL SIGNINGS TRACKER: ALL THE LATEST PLAYER MOVEMENT, CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

CURRENT BEST 17​

1. No player signed
2. Sean Russell (Parramatta Eels)
3. Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
4. No player signed

5. No player signed
6. No player signed
7. Toby Sexton (Catalans Dragons)
8. Liam Henry (Penrith Panthers)
9. No player signed.
10. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui (Catalans Dragons)
11. Luke Smith (London Broncos)
12. Josh Curran (Canterbury Bulldogs)
13. No player signed
14. Emarly Bitungane (London Broncos)
15. No player signed
16. No player signed
17. No player signed

CONFIRMED SIGNINGS​

JOSH CURRAN
The Bulldogs forward became the Bears’ first signing of 2026, signing a three-year deal that will take him away from the Bulldogs at the end of the season.

SEAN RUSSELL
The Bears announced the signing of Eels winger Sean Russell on Christmas Eve, taking the 23-year-old away from his junior club on a four-year deal.

LIAM HENRY
The first elite NRL forward to join the new franchise, premiership-winner Liam Henry signed a four-year deal with the Bears from Penrith in December.

ISZAC FA’ASUAMALEAUI
In a move that could be huge in the Bears’ pursuit of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, the Perth club signed his younger brother Iszac on a two-year deal from Catalans in France.

EMARLY BITUGANE
Tanzania-born Bitugane will join the Bears from the London Broncos on a two-year deal. The prop forward made two appearances for the Cowboys in 2025.

LUKE SMITH
Also joining from the London Broncos is Smith, the 23-year-old second-rower who made two NRL appearances for the Bulldogs before heading abroad for the 2026 season.

TOBY SEXTON
Arguably the Bears’ most important signing to date, Sexton will return to the NRL after a year with Catalans in 2026, signing a two-year deal which will likely see him in the No.7 jersey.

HARRY NEWMAN
The Bears’ first major signing was Newman from Leeds in the Super League. The centre is an English international who was awarded the Super League Young Player of the Year award in 2020.

DREAM SIGNINGS​

TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI
The signing of brother Iszac will make the Bears believe this move is possible, and what a move it would be. Mal Meninga has already contracted Fa’asuamaleaui’s management to outline his interest in making the Titans star the marquee signing of the new franchise.

MATT BURTON
With Lachlan Galvin and Mitchell Woods tipped to be the future of the Bulldogs’ halves, Burton has been rumoured to be linked with the Bears. His versatility to play in the halves or centres would be invaluable in their opening season.

ZAC LOMAX
Let him sign a contract at your own peril, but there’s no questioning the talent Zac Lomax brings to a team, not to mention goalkicking ability. His future remains unclear after his exit from Parramatta.

NRL 2025 RD22 Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney Rabbitohs – Gehamat Shibasaki. NRL Photos

GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI
The breakout star of 2025, Shibasaki is off-contract at the end of the season, and with salary-cap pressures high at Red Hill, he could head for the exit to pursue a deserved contract upgrade.

JESSE ARTHARS
Another Bronco who could be on the outer, Arthars isn’t guaranteed a starting wing spot in 2026 so could be on the hunt for a new home when he comes off-contract after this season.

TYRAN WISHART
A tremendous utility player for Melbourne, Wishart has already toured Perth facilities as he weighs up a move west. Off-contract at the end of the season, a Sexton-Wishart halves combo could easily compete with the big guns of the NRL.

MISSED TARGETS​

CAMERON MUNSTER
Ended speculation of a move to Perth by declaring his desire to remain in Melbourne beyond his current deal.

HERBIE FARNWORTH
The star English centre inked a one-year extension with the Dolphins to stave off a Perth poaching threat.

JAYDEN CAMPBELL
The Bears threw a $6m offer the way of Jayden Campbell, but that wasn’t enough to lure the star away from the Gold Coast, committing a new $4.5m extension at the club.

BEAU FERMOR
Another dead-end from the Titans, with Fermor rejecting interest from Perth to ink a new deal with the Titans.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/perth-bears-tracker-every-player-signing-so-far-top-targets-best-17-for-2027-nrl-season/news-story/27dc1d131f98f46d4748ca5ef43787c2

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Red and Black Bear made the claim that the Bears had reached their goal of signing over 10 players on December 10.
That's 4 weeks ago..
That's a very long lag!
And they surely didn't all just sign on the 10th..
So his claim pre-dates that by at least a week.
So we are seeing a 5 week lag in-between when a player has been signed and announced ( provided they announced them nowish..)

Perth should be fighting for the smallest lag in their position.

Have we got any evidence that Curran signed way back then??

@Red&BlackBear has made ALOT of claims regarding Perth Bears for over 18 months and its universally acknowledged here that they are all pretty much correct.
He clearly knows people at the club and if recruitment officer or someone else is mates with him then he would know who has signed or beens secured. Maybe these players (like I said yesterday) are waiting for the 3rd party deals to be locked up by their managers before they are formally announced at clubs.

Talau was apparently signed weeks ago at Roosters. Only announced yesterday.
Kelly was apparently signed weeks ago at Eels. Only announced yesterday.
Hiroti was apparently signed weeks ago at Titans. Only announced other day.

Not sure what your vendetta against Red&BlackBear's credibility is. The runs of facts are already on the board with him. His statements that end up coming to fruition are in this very Bears subforum.

You're on this crusade for what? Prove red&blackbear wrong? why? He clearly knows way more than whats happening at Perth Bears than all us posters combined.

 

[Gobsmacked]

@Red&BlackBear has made ALOT of claims regarding Perth Bears for over 18 months and its universally acknowledged here that they are all pretty much correct.
He clearly knows people at the club and if recruitment officer or someone else is mates with him then he would know who has signed or beens secured. Maybe these players (like I said yesterday) are waiting for the 3rd party deals to be locked up by their managers before they are formally announced at clubs.

Talau was apparently signed weeks ago at Roosters. Only announced yesterday.
Kelly was apparently signed weeks ago at Eels. Only announced yesterday.
Hiroti was apparently signed weeks ago at Titans. Only announced other day.

Not sure what your vendetta against Red&BlackBear's credibility is. The runs of facts are already on the board with him. His statements that end up coming to fruition are in this very Bears subforum.

You're on this crusade for what? Prove red&blackbear wrong? why? He clearly knows way more than whats happening at Perth Bears than all us posters combined.

I'm on a crusade??

No pal.

I'm a big fan of Red and Black Bear, has great contributions, far better than mine.
Offers really great insight.

I think Perth are struggling to attract players, have made many blunders and are far behind on where they needed to be recruitment wise. That's my opinion and my right to hold.

Red and Black Bear and his mates at the Bears are working overtime to counter that narrative and told us back on the 10th of December 11 players have signed.
A month has passed, I've been patient and yet there's no evidence that ever occured.

Maybe, it'll all come to fruitarian.. but maybe it was a bald faced lie.

 

[Canard]

I keep getting told by the experts that the Bears would struggle to recruit players.

But yet they keep getting proven wrong?

Its almost like there claim of people not wanting to live in a major Australian capital city, was pure bullshit.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

I'm on a crusade??

No pal.

I'm a big fan of Red and Black Bear, has great contributions, far better than mine.
Offers really great insight.

I think Perth are struggling to attract players, have made many blunders and are far behind on where they needed to be recruitment wise. That's my opinion and my right to hold.

Red and Black Bear and his mates at the Bears are working overtime to counter that narrative and told us back on the 10th of December 11 players have signed.
A month has passed, I've been patient and yet there's no evidence that ever occured.

Maybe, it'll all come to fruitarian.. but maybe it was a bald faced lie.

what narrative though? only you seem concerned with it. i reckon red&blackbear said it because he knows hand on heart its true and its been stated so many times that no announcements does not equal no signatures. its actually been proven here multiples times that players can sign contracts without any immediate announcements. sometimes announcements are weeks later. i have literally provided you 3 examples of this in 3 posts already which you keep ignoring.

its like you think bears are the only club that just because there's no immediate announcement it must mean players havent been secured in the background. not sure why youre struggling with the concept to be honest. its getting old though cob.

I keep getting told by the experts that the Bears would struggle to recruit players.

But yet they keep getting proven wrong?

Its almost like there claim of people not wanting to live in a major Australian capital city, was pure bullshit.

the one poster who seems to know to go is constantly telling us things are moving accordingly at the bears and boxes are being ticked. not sure why people keep ignoring his statements i.e. like gobsmacked does and then keeps arguing his pointless point. the more time that passes the more players are announced regardless of when they were signed on.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Red and Black Bear was happy to confirm that there's been 11 signings back on the 10th of December.
They've been signed.
Why couldn't he give us the names? Or even clues as to where they've been signed from?

Doesn't make much sense.

Was Curran one of those? Or are we now at 12 ?

 

[Gobsmacked]

what narrative though? only you seem concerned with it. i reckon red&blackbear said it because he knows hand on heart its true and its been stated so many times that no announcements does not equal no signatures. its actually been proven here multiples times that players can sign contracts without any immediate announcements. sometimes announcements are weeks later. i have literally provided you 3 examples of this in 3 posts already which you keep ignoring.

its like you think bears are the only club that just because there's no immediate announcement it must mean players havent been secured in the background. not sure why youre struggling with the concept to be honest. its getting old though cob.


the one poster who seems to know to go is constantly telling us things are moving accordingly at the bears and boxes are being ticked. not sure why people keep ignoring his statements i.e. like gobsmacked does and then keeps arguing his pointless point. the more time that passes the more players are announced regardless of when they were signed on.

So no names?
Was Curran one of them? Or are we at 12?

" Things are moving accordingly"
There's zero proof of that, not one quality starting player has been announced.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

So no names?
Was Curran one of them? Or are we at 12?

" Things are moving accordingly"
There's zero proof of that, not one quality starting player has been announced.

bears signing players tick
bears getting pathways sorted tick
bears getting sponsors tick
bears building admin team tick

that seems like things are moving accordingly. what more do ya want them to do? because no matter what they do, you criticise them.
titans, knights and tigers have "quality" starting players yet as a team they have absolutely stunk at various times. so what is a quality starting player? is the individual more important than a "team"?

quality of starting player is only opinion and to be honest your opinions seem pretty rubbish and baseless

 

[Gobsmacked]

bears signing players tick
bears getting pathways sorted tick
bears getting sponsors tick
bears building admin team tick

that seems like things are moving accordingly. what more do ya want them to do? because no matter what they do, you criticise them.
titans, knights and tigers have "quality" starting players yet as a team they have absolutely stunk at various times. so what is a quality starting player? is the individual more important than a "team"?

quality of starting player is only opinion and to be honest your opinions seem pretty rubbish and baseless

Lol righto.

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Wb1234]

@Red&BlackBear has made ALOT of claims regarding Perth Bears for over 18 months and its universally acknowledged here that they are all pretty much correct.
He clearly knows people at the club and if recruitment officer or someone else is mates with him then he would know who has signed or beens secured. Maybe these players (like I said yesterday) are waiting for the 3rd party deals to be locked up by their managers before they are formally announced at clubs.

Talau was apparently signed weeks ago at Roosters. Only announced yesterday.
Kelly was apparently signed weeks ago at Eels. Only announced yesterday.
Hiroti was apparently signed weeks ago at Titans. Only announced other day.

Not sure what your vendetta against Red&BlackBear's credibility is. The runs of facts are already on the board with him. His statements that end up coming to fruition are in this very Bears subforum.

You're on this crusade for what? Prove red&blackbear wrong? why? He clearly knows way more than whats happening at Perth Bears than all us posters combined.

More than knowing people

Pretty sure he’s behind a lot of the Queensland links with the bears ie link up with the tigers, sponsorships etc

So much links to qrl too

I agreed with Gobbs originally it was looking a bit dire on the signings front but it’s looking a lot better now

Think they are 50 50 for Tino which would be huge

 

[Red&BlackBear]

I don’t know much about Jordan Barlow, I’m sure the kid has potential though. The Illawarra comp and Steelers produces some great talent.

He isn’t the first kid signed up though. Levi and Hendrix were scooped up last year.

Great choice of photo with the Bears player in the back ground.

 

[Gobsmacked]

More than knowing people

Pretty sure he’s behind a lot of the Queensland links with the bears ie link up with the tigers, sponsorships etc

So much links to qrl too

I agreed with Gobbs originally it was looking a bit dire on the signings front but it’s looking a lot better now

Think they are 50 50 for Tino which would be huge

My team is the Titans. The lowly Titans as an example.. name one player that the Bears have bought that makes the Titans top 17.
As a Titans fan, I can tell you hand on heart that there isn't one .
Not only isn't there one but I be pretty disappointed if the Titans had signed almost all of these players.
Maybe Henry might get a bench spot but it wouldn't invoke any increased sense of optimism.

They're very slowly getting squad depth.

I have no idea what has given you new found optimism on Perth recruitment.

I see nothing good yet.

 

[Gobsmacked]

I don’t know much about Jordan Barlow, I’m sure the kid has potential though. The Illawarra comp and Steelers produces some great talent.

He isn’t the first kid signed up though. Levi and Hendrix were scooped up last year.

Great choice of photo with the Bears player in the back ground.

"don’t know much about Jordan Barlow, I’m sure the kid has potential though. "

Then it's settled lol.

 

[Wb1234]

My team is the Titans. The lowly Titans as an example.. name one player that the Bears have bought that makes the Titans top 17.
As a Titans fan, I can tell you hand on heart that there isn't one .
Not only isn't there one but I be pretty disappointed if the Titans had signed almost all of these players.
Maybe Henry might get a bench spot but it wouldn't invoke any increased sense of optimism.

They're very slowly getting squad depth.

I have no idea what has given you new found optimism on Perth recruitment.

I see nothing good yet.

Sexton and Burton is a pretty good halves pairing

And I think they will get Tino since they signed his brother

My biggest issue with them is meninga but it seems they can work around him

 

[Red&BlackBear]

.
Maybe Henry might get a bench spot but it wouldn't invoke any increased sense of optimism.

Right, premiership winning player coming from the premier rugby league club system might get a bench spot according to your astute rugby league knowledge.

"don’t know much about Jordan Barlow, I’m sure the kid has potential though. "

Then it's settled lol.

Your posts within this thread are getting increasingly more pathetic. Your infatuation with me is cute.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Right, premiership winning player coming from the premier rugby league club system might get a bench spot according to your astute rugby league knowledge.


Your posts within this thread are getting increasingly more pathetic. Your infatuation with me is cute.

I love the " premiership winning" line. As if somehow coming off the bench for a short stint during a GF makes you an instant hot property player.
He's a player who filled in without missing tackles, that didn't take up much cap space. His a value player.
The moment he wanted an extra 50k, Penrith would have been happy to let him go.
And not being in the Panthers system taking direction from Yeo and Cleary he's worth less.

I think we all know who has the infatuation with you..lol.

So was Curran one of the 4 players signed back before the 10th of December or his he in addition to?
Who are the other 3 or for? Or at least share which clubs they've signed from?

Or are you a liar?