so redblackbear without ya specific perth bears hat on (maybe put ya qrl hat on) and as a pure footy fan how do you see perth bears roster forming, why do you think theyve gone for the players that they have gots, how do you think their building and towards what sort of team are they building for?
its clear you wont go into great detail with in house stuff but at least if you could answer this then maybe posters might be able to see your personal view as opposed to the club view? it would be good to read it i reckon.
Recruitment is going as expected. There is a holistic approach to it to navigate and mitigate the known challenges. There are action plans implemented from the football department to get as close to the roster Mal wants, as possible.
From before day 1 of recruitment the emphasis has been on character. The club wants the onboard players for the right reasons.
The squad is starting from net zero. There are no pre-existing players at the club who have come through the grades and understand the club systems and culture. All other clubs have these sort of systems and therefore guys (who came through them) in their squads, generally they will make up some of the core group to which the entire squad is bound around. That’s the reality of it.
Therefore Mal, David, Dane and Ian have chosen to select players (who are available) whose character is built on work ethic, 1%ers, accountability, competitiveness, and standards.
On field results will vary but the culture and standards won’t. It’s important to get off to a good start on November 1st, 2026 when these blokes meet eachother formally in Perth.
Game day footy isn’t even a thought right now. Players like Henry & Wishart are great because they are multi-positional. The whole bench thing is irrelevant because that’s what their current club game plans demand of them. Bears game plans will undoubtedly differ.
They’ve been offered long term contracts because of where they are at - in their career, where they are coming from - current club, and where they’re anticipated and expected to be. Every club projects players trajectory and hot tip - it isn’t isolated to just on the field game day footy.
Versatility is important. A set positional player is great, but one that can cover gaps and multi-positions is better. It’s clear to understand that these players won’t necessarily be masters of any 1 position but will be serviceable and adequate in multiple. That’s the reality of where the game is heading though. Meaney who will be close to 180 NRL games and Russell provides versatility in the backline.
Curran is committed. He won’t let anyone down. You’ll always get effort from him. The effort will translate to training - that is an expectation.
Luke Smith, Emarly Bitungane, Isaac F and Chris V are depth players that every club has like-type in their rosters. If they hit the ground hard, impress during off season then there’s no reason they can’t push for a bench spot and to be honest that’s how it’s expected to go. Not the bench spot per se but them hitting the ground running and giving it their all to push.
Of the available NRL players left off contract there’s a few I’d personally target.
The senior group:
Scott Sorensen on a 2 year deal.
Luke Garner on a 2 year deal.
Cam McInness on a 2 year deal.
Marata Niukore on a 2 year deal.
Kodi Nikorima on a 2 year deal.
Forwards:
Sam Hughes on a 2 year deal.
Jesse Colquhoun on a 3 year deal.
Jaimin Jolliffe on a 3 year deal (CO).
Charlie Guymer on a 3 year deal (CO).
Sam Verills on a 3 year deal.
Sam McIntyre on a 3 year deal (CO).
Backs:
Jack Cole on a 2 year deal.
Luke Laulilii on a 3 year deal (CO).
Jaxon Purdue on a 4 year deal.
Sam Stonestreet on a 3 year deal (CO).
Gehemat Shibasaki on a 3 year deal.
That leaves 2 spots left.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Matt Burton would be good club ambassadors and faces. I’d have both on 4 year deals.
I think you then start having a somewhat well balanced squad with plenty of versatility from a number of players, across a number of positions. They all have character and no frills about them. Key ingredients to build a culture. There’s no dickheads there. There’s no expectation to win the comp but all expectation to build the foundations of a great culture and standards moving forwards
Things that need to be remembered are:
There’s no pre existing club culture, there’s no pre existing football systems and therefore there’s no pre existing defensive structures or style of attacking play. There’s elements that are far more important than “ x-player should be recruited because he can run fast and has highlights “.
I’d be surprised if even half those players are nabbed, there will be more English contingent coming which I didn’t list.
Cheers
