Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[Chins]

Sorry. Did you just try to claim Wollongong as a better place to live than Perth?

Way better. Perth is the most boring "city" in Australia

 

[Iamback]

In the age of smartphones most of the dickheads get weeded out before their on the NRL radar, they're all on high standards these days.

It looks like they're going the youth route, which is super promising, hopefully that trend continues!
Cronk said it on a pod recently that they needed to focus on the cream of the crop coming through and he's right. It's far too hard to buy ready made stars but they still need to be competitive from day one.

Hopefully the start raiding the forces youth prospects.

They nailed that chat about Perth

 

[Iamback]

I like that we are putting standards as #1 priority, club needs to set out its stall what we will be about. However I’m also very cognisant of the trajectory the western force went on in perth (all be it mirroring the fall of interest in union generally) and how year after year of poor results it eventually nearly killed the club. We need talent as well as character! We’ll get a 2-3 year pass in terms of results but after that we’d better be competitive and heading into the 8.

The club needs to get locals interested. They need to get them turning up each week but more so need to get those 14 year Olds who are good at most sports. Playing RL, So on field needs to be of a reasonable standard too

 

[Centy Coast]

He also has Jesse Colqhuoun on that list.
I said in this very thread ages ago that JC isn't leaving the Sharks, and he isn't.
Have a look at that Telegraph list of players and notice that JC's name isn't on it, for very good reason, they all know where he is continuing his career.
R and B would surely know that Colqhoun has rejected Perths offer. Its pretty well known now in the Cronulla circles.

I’ve always felt that if McInnes signs Colqhoun would stay.
Colqhoun would only leave if the dollars were too good to refuse.
Sharks Will Kennedy, Sion Katoa or Sam Stonestreet (not both) and Billy Burns are also rumored players.
Bad Boy Bubby do you have any intel on any of them ?.
I’d love to grab Toby Rudolf, great team man on and off the field, but I’ve heard that his mum isn’t very well and he wouldn’t leave her, as you can understand.
You can always bring her with you Toby.

 

[Centy Coast]

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

100% totally agree with this, I feel that the Bears will get atleast half of those players, time will tell, got to be in it to win it.
Players will also become available during the 2026 season, the Raiders have three top class hookers, as do the Broncos, three into two doesn’t go.
The Raiders hookers Tom Starling, Owen Pattie and Jayden Brailey.
The Broncos hookers Ben Hunt, Corey Paix and Billy Walters, when he returns from injury.
The Sharks are the same with their wingers, Ronaldo Mulitalo has one spot wrapped up, leaving Sione Katoa, Sam Stonestreet and the departing Mawrene Hiroti battling for the other spot in 2026.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

It looks like they're going the youth route, which is super promising, hopefully that trend continues!
Cronk said it on a pod recently that they needed to focus on the cream of the crop coming through and he's right. It's far too hard to buy ready made stars but they still need to be competitive from day one.

Hopefully the start raiding the forces youth prospects.

We are in agreement.

To be completely honest - this is where some assistance by having connections via QRL channels in the game has been given. The 3 young Queensland kids have a lot of promise.

There will be more in the next 2 years.

Further to that - arranging Jordan Barlow to come into the Tigers Mal Meninga cup squad is a savvy decision.

There are a lot of concurrent moving parts. Structuring the RL development pathways and systems in WA to get to a point (in the near future) where there will be identifiable talent ready to keep progressing through the grades.

Streamlining the current Queensland pathways and understanding the exact intent that the Bears want out of it.

Resourcing the North Sydney RL district adequately to rekindle it back to late 1990s days of output.

Balancing out on going first grade recruitment with enough young talent that have had a taste of NRL and can keep progressing their skill sets and game awareness (professional athlete) maturity with the systems Bears forge, implement and set expectations on.

This is all part of the youth route and each is as equally important as the others.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

100% totally agree with this, I feel that the Bears will get atleast half of those players, time will tell, got to be in it to win it.
Players will also become available during the 2026 season, the Raiders have three top class hookers, as do the Broncos, three into two doesn’t go.
The Raiders hookers Tom Starling, Owen Pattie and Jayden Brailey.
The Broncos hookers Ben Hunt, Corey Paix and Billy Walters, when he returns from injury.
The Sharks are the same with their wingers, Ronaldo Mulitalo has one spot wrapped up, leaving Sione Katoa, Sam Stonestreet and the departing Mawrene Hiroti battling for the other spot in 2026.

I will say this Jaxon Purdue could be the Bears answer to their version of Hammer (to an extent) .

There’s a few similarities between them - positions aside.

I think he is a rep star in the making - just not sure when he will eventually break through.

Cowboys will be moving heaven and earth to keep him though, it’s interesting that he is yet to re-commit to their current offer.

As for your input here regarding over abundance of hookers at Raiders & Broncos and outside backs at Sharks etc. I agree.

Let’s be honest Pattie is no chance to leave Canberra but Jayden or Tom would be good squad players who will be in the 17. I rate Stonestreet from Sharkies. Paix is interesting too.

 

[Gobsmacked]

We are in agreement.

To be completely honest - this is where some assistance by having connections via QRL channels in the game has been given. The 3 young Queensland kids have a lot of promise.

There will be more in the next 2 years.

Further to that - arranging Jordan Barlow to come into the Tigers Mal Meninga cup squad is a savvy decision.

There are a lot of concurrent moving parts. Structuring the RL development pathways and systems in WA to get to a point (in the near future) where there will be identifiable talent ready to keep progressing through the grades.

Streamlining the current Queensland pathways and understanding the exact intent that the Bears want out of it.

Resourcing the North Sydney RL district adequately to rekindle it back to late 1990s days of output.

Balancing out on going first grade recruitment with enough young talent that have had a taste of NRL and can keep progressing their skill sets and game awareness (professional athlete) maturity with the systems Bears forge, implement and set expectations on.

This is all part of the youth route and each is as equally important as the others.

I don't know how to implement it or how long it would take but to get good kids coming through WA systems, good kids need to be playing against other good kids, until then WA is reliant on QLD and NSW like the Storm were for decades.
Perth Bears should be studying what challenges they faced to get them to where they are today and how they plan to grow their talent pool in difficult territory.
Hopefully with that understanding, the journey will be cut and we won't be waiting decades to see a production line in WA that are the envy if the NRL.

 

[Gobsmacked]

I will say this Jaxon Purdue could be the Bears answer to their version of Hammer (to an extent) .

There’s a few similarities between them - positions aside.

I think he is a rep star in the making - just not sure when he will eventually break through.

Cowboys will be moving heaven and earth to keep him though, it’s interesting that he is yet to re-commit to their current offer.

If Perth paid massive overs for Purdue on a long term deal, that would be a gamble worth taking. Hammer is a very apt comparison.

 

[Wb1234]

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

That’s a banger of a post

 

[Red&BlackBear]

I don't know how to implement it or how long it would take but to get good kids coming through WA systems, good kids need to be playing against other good kids, until then WA is reliant on QLD and NSW like the Storm were for decades.
Perth Bears should be studying what challenges they faced to get them to where they are today and how they plan to grow their talent pool in difficult territory.
Hopefully with that understanding, the journey will be cut and we won't be waiting decades to see a production line in WA that are the envy if the NRL.

It’s a $60m+ commitment to get the WA systems up to a point where the output is producing kids ready to keep progressing upwards.

Upwards means from U15 to U16 to U18 to U20s. NRL squad quality is the end goal of course but we need to be realistic with how it’ll upward trend to begin with and not set unachievable goals which aren’t manageable from the get go.

The challenge is - from experience - U14 to U15 when generally the leap happens (of commitment to RL and talent identification) and kids can get left behind and then eventually taper out of the game all together.

The more athletic kids (who are not necessarily RL specific) can of course keep going and with skills taught to them to continue their progress regardless but as @Iamback said - these kids generally play various sports. So selling RL to them is just an important as having them to begin with (and having a competitive home club goes along way to maintain attractiveness towards the game).

So the investment into WA RL junior development pathways systems in club and schools is the crux.

You bring up Storm. The context here is that VRL was never in a position like WARL is. The VIC state comp and governing body was never as strong compared to what the WA state comp and governing body is. This is based on their net-zero starting point where WA is already ahead of VIC - purely based on stats and metrics (from time of commencement). Obviously now with Storm almost 30 years in its a different story but we are talking about their starting points here. Lessons learnt are important though, I agree with you.

There’s a firm timeline of when the Bears and NRL expect to start seeing the green shoots from WA start pushing into development contracts and eventually (if good enough) full time Top 30 spots. It’s definitely not decades, I can assure you. The states RL pathways investment commitment from WA Gov and the ARLC ownership of the franchise time frame more or less flag when the expectation is. This isn’t to say we will expect to see half a squad worth of WA born players but a couple is definitely expected and achievable.

 

[Wb1234]

Wow that debate was one of the best things I’ve read on here from various people

It’s funny how people can share opinions on some things then differ on others to get different conclusions about how the bears recruitment is going

 

[BuffaloRules]

I like that we are putting standards as #1 priority, club needs to set out its stall what we will be about. However I’m also very cognisant of the trajectory the western force went on in perth (all be it mirroring the fall of interest in union generally) and how year after year of poor results it eventually nearly killed the club. We need talent as well as character! We’ll get a 2-3 year pass in terms of results but after that we’d better be competitive and heading into the 8.

you have been telling us for 20 years that a team in Perth will be a success both on and off the field …

Relax man …although it will probably take longer than 2-3 years …lol

 

[Bukowski]

I will say this Jaxon Purdue could be the Bears answer to their version of Hammer (to an extent) .

There’s a few similarities between them - positions aside.

I think he is a rep star in the making - just not sure when he will eventually break through.

Cowboys will be moving heaven and earth to keep him though, it’s interesting that he is yet to re-commit to their current offer.

As for your input here regarding over abundance of hookers at Raiders & Broncos and outside backs at Sharks etc. I agree.

Let’s be honest Pattie is no chance to leave Canberra but Jayden or Tom would be good squad players who will be in the 17. I rate Stonestreet from Sharkies. Paix is interesting too.

Any chance they are looking at Luke Laulilii's brother Kitt? Promising looking forward.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Can’t say I love the Luke Laulili signing … I know he is young but he is going to need to improve a lot …. He is Brian To’o height and there are only one of him running around on the wing these days in the NRL

 

[Gobsmacked]

It’s a $60m+ commitment to get the WA systems up to a point where the output is producing kids ready to keep progressing upwards.

Upwards means from U15 to U16 to U18 to U20s. NRL squad quality is the end goal of course but we need to be realistic with how it’ll upward trend to begin with and not set unachievable goals which aren’t manageable from the get go.

The challenge is - from experience - U14 to U15 when generally the leap happens (of commitment to RL and talent identification) and kids can get left behind and then eventually taper out of the game all together.

The more athletic kids (who are not necessarily RL specific) can of course keep going and with skills taught to them to continue their progress regardless but as @Iamback said - these kids generally play various sports. So selling RL to them is just an important as having them to begin with (and having a competitive home club goes along way to maintain attractiveness towards the game).

So the investment into WA RL junior development pathways systems in club and schools is the crux.

You bring up Storm. The context here is that VRL was never in a position like WARL is. The VIC state comp and governing body was never as strong from the WA state comp and governing body is. This is based on their net-zero starting point where WA is already ahead of VIC - purely based on stats and metrics (from time of commencement). Obviously now with Storm almost 30 years in its a different story but we are talking about their starting points here. Lessons learnt are important though, I agree with you.

There’s a firm timeline of when the Bears and NRL expect to start seeing the green shoots from WA start pushing into development contracts and eventually (if good enough) full time Top 30 spots. It’s definitely not decades, I can assure you. The states RL pathways investment commitment from WA Gov and the ARLC ownership of the franchise time frame more or less flag when the expectation is. This isn’t to say we will expect to see half a squad worth of WA born players but a couple is definitely expected and achievable.

I agree with all that, great post.
Where are we at in regards to talent that can be identified and brought over from RU systems in WA? It's no secret the NRL an all associated parties are only streamlining identifying Union talent poaching in Australia, NZ ect.
My hope is that with boots on the ground in WA , getting that WA Union talent into RL will become easier??
Could be a valuable hunting ground for Bears talent.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Can’t say I love the Luke Laulili signing … I know he is young but he is going to need to improve a lot …. He is Brian To’o height and there are only one of him running around on the wing these days in the NRL

I'm sceptical of anything Tigers related lol
I'm hoping he's very cheap, they need to pick up at least a half dozen base salary players to afford the overs they'll need to pay elsewhere - I'm guessing he's one, so it's a win.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I'm sceptical of anything Tigers related lol
I'm hoping he's very cheap, they need to pick up at least a half dozen base salary players to afford the overs they'll need to pay elsewhere - I'm guessing he's one, so it's a win.

he probably should be on a minimum NRL deal at the moment .., but he can get that without moving to the other side of the country … no doubt the Bears have paid him more to get him …

A new club needs to take risks on young players that may develop into something better … but unfortunately no one is moving over the other side of the country on the cheap ..

 

[Centy Coast]

I'm sceptical of anything Tigers related lol
I'm hoping he's very cheap, they need to pick up at least a half dozen base salary players to afford the overs they'll need to pay elsewhere - I'm guessing he's one, so it's a win.

I was just looking at his highlights, he is only 19yrs, hard to tell at the moment which side that he prefers running on from his highlights, possibly right ?.
We currently have a lot of right side outside back options: Nick Meaney, Harry Newman, Sean Russell and even Chris Vea’ila.
Reuben Garrick was a left side runner, but we missed out on him.
Broncos Gehamat Shibasaki and Jesse Arthars are both left side runners.

 

[Red&BlackBear]

I was just looking at his highlights, he is only 19yrs, hard to tell at the moment which side that he prefers running on from his highlights, possibly right ?.
We currently have a lot of right side outside back options: Nick Meaney, Harry Newman, Sean Russell and even Chris Vea’ila.
Reuben Garrick was a left side runner, but we missed out on him.
Broncos Gehamat Shibasaki and Jesse Arthars are both left side runners.

Somewhat side tracking here but when it comes to new franchises or businesses for that matter - I’m a believer in squad connectivity continuity.

What that means is recruiting pairs (or more) from one club - who understand each other’s quirks and game. This is generally because there’s been repetitions built between them. Passing, calling, running, positioning etc.

For this reason it would be ideal to nab a Shibasaki and an Arthars. Whilst I didn’t list Arthars in my personal target list - that’s only because of remaining number of positions which he was just outside it. For example I’d be happy to bring in Arthars in lieu of say Stonestreet.

I like where your head is at in regards to it. Players don’t even need to play same side of field or can be either combo of backs/forwards etc. To me it doesn’t matter but I acknowledge that if players are in fact from the same side of the field or both backs or both forwards that it 100% does further connect them for sure.

I just see the benefits of players who are together for x amount of time and build a working footy relationship. Those intangibles are important when kicking off something new.

That’s why adding to Henry’s signature with say Sorensen and/or Garner would be great. Likewise nabbing the two Broncos lads together you mentioned would be fantastic. Likewise I am a fan of the Meaney and Wishart dual signing.

Bears are putting a squad together from nothing, having a few players with pre-existing and recent relationships is only a positive thing.

@Bukowski to your question - I have no doubts Kit Laulilii has been chatted to. Where that lands, I can’t say for now. My understanding is that Tigers are fairly keen to extend him for now.