Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[SirPies&Beers]

 

[Gobsmacked]

View attachment 109641

Great signing! !!

 

[Bukowski]

Really good signing.
On a side note does anyone actually use the clubs logo?

 

[BuffaloRules]

Is Sorenson confirmed anywhere other than NRL Nostradamus?

2 years seems a short commitment from him.., although safe deal for the bears at age 34 next year

 

[Red&BlackBear]

As of last communications I had with people at the Bears (which was over a week and a half ago). He wasn’t formally locked in yet - at that time.

His deal will come with life after footy perks to be part of the football department in some capacity - think either scouting/recruitment/pathways or fitness/conditioning or ambassador/welfare etc.

The biggest takeaway here is that his partner is from WA. Her extended family is still based there and I can confirm that Scott and his immediate family go over to WA most off seasons.

Therefore the actual football deal itself is somewhat irrelevant and it’s more of what life after football looks like that is crucial here.

 

[Trifili13]

His deal will come with life after footy perks to be part of the football department in some capacity - think either scouting/recruitment/pathways or fitness/conditioning or ambassador/welfare etc.

Therefore the actual football deal itself is somewhat irrelevant and it’s more of what life after football looks like that is crucial here.

And of course none of that will be written anywhere as it would need to be included in the salary cap.

 

[Wb1234]

PNG juniors in hot demand

 

[Gobsmacked]

NRL 2026: Transfer Whispers, Perth Bears close in on signing Penrith Panthers Scott Sorensen, Mal Meninga, Ben Gardiner https://share.google/TMgzerqKy1TcMAHWI

 

[Red&BlackBear]

NRL expansion teams in tug-of-war over young gun; Bears close in on Panthers star — Whispers

NRL expansion teams in tug-of-war over young gun; Bears close in on Panthers star — Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

@Red&BlackBear you been mentioning Scotty too hotty for months. He is one of the players you always name drop. How close are bears to nabbing him? I read his misso is from wa and there’s family there.

Hope bears nab him.

I’ve been a fan of Scott Sorensen for many years. His work ethic is second to none.

Any club would benefit from having him on their roster.

 

[Bukowski]

Is Sorenson confirmed anywhere other than NRL Nostradamus?

2 years seems a short commitment from him.., although safe deal for the bears at age 34 next year

He's a late bloomer, didn't realise his age

 

[SirPies&Beers]

PNG juniors in hot demand

NRL expansion teams Perth Bears and Papua New Guinea battle for PNG’s Gairo Voro​

Likened to Jarome Luai, talented young playmaker Gairo Voro is tipped to be a poster boy for the new PNG franchise – but not if the Perth Bears lock him down first.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...ory/92c132cafc1dea1d24365874fcfe0135#comments
PNG's Luai clone tearing up Queensland Cup
Highlights of Gairo Voro playing for the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup. Or is it Jarome Luai?
more
Tensions have broken out between expansion newcomers Perth Bears and Papua New Guinea in the battle for the Kumuls’ version of Jarome Luai.

This masthead can reveal Mal Meninga’s Bears have expressed interest in Gairo Voro, a 22-year-old young gun rated one of the most prodigious playmakers ever produced by Papua New Guinea.

Likened to Wests Tigers star Luai with his flowing long hair, black headgear and preference for the No.6 jumper, Voro is on PNG’s hit list to be a poster boy for the Pacific franchise in 2028.

But that hasn’t stopped their Perth expansion rivals attempting a poaching raid on the former Junior Kumuls captain as the Bears prepare to enter the NRL 12 months ahead of the Chiefs.

London Broncos coach Jason Demetriou, who also coaches the PNG national team, recently signed Voro to spearhead the resurgence of the British outfit under Brisbane legend Darren Lockyer, who has bought a majority stake in the club.

Voro took part in an opposed session against the Broncos on Saturday ahead of Brisbane’s World Club Challenge clash against Hull KR and showed some classy touches which impressed the premiers.

Voro called the shots for London against Broncos pivot Ezra Mam and Demetriou has no doubt ‘PNG Luai’ has what it takes to one day be an NRL star.

“Gairo has serious talent, he can really play,” said Demetriou, who is tasked with returning the London Broncos to the Super League.

“One of the reasons I brought him over to England was to help his development because he has all the natural talent to make it in the NRL.

“He has already fitted in really well over here and I would love to see him playing for PNG in the NRL.
“Gairo is precisely the type of kid that can benefit from a PNG team in the NRL.”

While Perth have signed a virtual starting 13 for their 2027 entry, they have yet to secure a first-choice five-eighth.

But that could change if the Bears are successful in luring Voro to Perth to form a scrumbase pairing with former Canterbury and Gold Coast halfback Toby Sexton.

Hailing from Viriolo, a small village in PNG’s Central District, Voro made his Hostplus Cup debut in 2024.

Gairo Voro is tipped to be the poster boy of the PNG franchise - unless the Bears lock him down first.

He added a further 19 games last season, scoring seven tries and catching the eye with his attacking style, leading to his senior PNG Test debut against Cook Islands and Fiji.

Voro could feasibly play one season at Perth before moving to PNG, but it’s uncertain if the Bears would accept a Jonah Pezet-style 12-month cameo.

Demetriou handed Voro his Kumuls Test debut last October and scoffed at safety concerns for NRL players living tax-free in PNG.
“I think the players will be treated like royalty when they’re over there,” he said.

“They’ll get nothing but love, and like any place, you just have to be vigilant.

“For example, there’s areas of Sydney where I wouldn’t walk at night, that’s a factor anywhere you go in the world.
“I think the compound lifestyle and the way it’s been portrayed is probably a bit over the top.

“I haven’t felt unsafe any time I’ve been to PNG, and my wife and our daughters have been over there with me.

“Living there full-time is definitely a different challenge, but the way the NRL and the way the PNG Rugby League are looking to set up the Chiefs, I think it will be a pretty special place to live.”

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Loading…

www.racingandsports.com.au

Bears close in on Sorensen signing​

2 minute read
Perth are reportedly nearing a deal for four-time premiership winner Scott Sorensen as Mal Meninga continues building the Bears’ inaugural roster.
Mal Meninga and the Perth Bears are reportedly closing in on another Penrith premiership winner, with The Daily Telegraph reporting Scott Sorensen is on the verge of signing a two-year deal from 2027.

The 32-year-old forward has played 139 first-grade games and won four premierships with Penrith. He has also represented New Zealand in four Tests and would add experience and depth to Meninga's emerging squad.

Perth have already secured Liam Henry from the Panthers on a four-year deal starting in 2027, and Sorensen could follow his teammate west. Sorensen is off contract beyond 2026 and has previously worked with Bears assistant coach Ben Gardiner, who was part of Ivan Cleary's staff during two of Penrith's premiership campaigns.

The Bears' roster continues to take shape ahead of their NRL entry. Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart from Melbourne, Sean Russell from Parramatta, Josh Curran from Canterbury Bulldogs and Chris Vea'ila from Cronulla Sharks have all signed on.

They have also recruited James McDonnell, Harry Newman, Luke Smith, Toby Sexton, Emarly Bitungane and Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui from Super League clubs.

Penrith, meanwhile, appear to be planning for potential changes in their forward pack. Despite Sorensen's role in four premierships, he may find himself competing for minutes behind Liam Martin and Isaiah Papali'i. The club has added Luke Garner, Luron Patea, Toby Crosby, Kalani Going and Tom Ale as it builds depth.

After confirming Henry's signing in December, Meninga described him as one of the NRL's most exciting middle forward prospects and said both Henry and Fa'asuamaleaui would have their best football ahead of them when they arrive in 2027.

Perth general manager of football David Sharpe has said the club is building something special, despite missing out on high-profile targets including Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Cameron Munster.

Perth Bears launch raid at new Panthers target

They have already signed one Panther.

www.zerotackle.com

Blow for Panthers as second premiership winner on cusp of signing with Perth Bears

A Panthers teammate could be joining Liam Henry in making the switch. Read more here.

au.news.yahoo.com

 

[BuffaloRules]

Rather the PNG lad plays for the Chiefs to be honest … maybe get him for 2027 only..

looks like NRL Nostradamus jumped the gun ..again … his tweets are not worth anything

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Rather the PNG lad plays for the Chiefs to be honest … maybe get him for 2027 only..

looks like NRL Nostradamus jumped the gun ..again … his tweets are not worth anything

yeah it was be ironic if a prodigal papuan ends up at bears instead of chiefs but then again the fella isn't eligible for any tax incentive perks and after living in london, he might want to live in perth/australia, it will be interesting how it plays out.

and yes, we have our own bears correspondent on this forum. we dont really need social media lads like nrl nostradamus but still fun to post their stuff up

 

[BuffaloRules]

yeah it was be ironic if a prodigal papuan ends up at bears instead of chiefs but then again the fella isn't eligible for any tax incentive perks and after living in london, he might want to live in perth/australia, it will be interesting how it plays out.

and yes, we have our own bears correspondent on this forum. we dont really need social media lads like nrl nostradamus but still fun to post their stuff up

Yeah I agree ..please continue to post any news confirmed or rumours….. I just see a few others thought Nostradamus musings were confirmation …. I have learnt previously that he has as many sources as I have - none

 

[Wb1234]

yeah it was be ironic if a prodigal papuan ends up at bears instead of chiefs but then again the fella isn't eligible for any tax incentive perks and after living in london, he might want to live in perth/australia, it will be interesting how it plays out.

and yes, we have our own bears correspondent on this forum. we dont really need social media lads like nrl nostradamus but still fun to post their stuff up

Shows why png is more valuable for league than Perth

It’s a travesty they need to approach png players

Being rejected by a png junior would be a huge slap in the face too

 

[Gobsmacked]

Shows why png is more valuable for league than Perth

It’s a travesty they need to approach png players

Being rejected by a png junior would be a huge slap in the face too

I don't get why Mal always does this, does he hate the game or something?
He's been working his butt off to undermine the Titans and now PNG..
Making it hard to like Perth.

 

[Trifili13]

I don't get why Mal always does this, does he hate the game or something?
He's been working his butt off to undermine the Titans and now PNG..
Making it hard to like Perth.

Well they game has done nothing for him so why should he help it?

 

[Red&BlackBear]

Shows why png is more valuable for league than Perth

It’s a travesty they need to approach png players

Being rejected by a png junior would be a huge slap in the face too

Two things here.

Please keep in mind that just because a player is mentioned in an article, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Bears are going to formally target that player and offer a contract. There’s a difference between looking at someone and offering someone a contract.

Secondly, talent is talent irrespective of where it’s from. There will continue to be PNG players playing for other clubs not named Chiefs just as there is NZ players playing for other clubs not named Warriors.

PNG’s main strength is their ability to be able to further resource the playing pool due to their love of the game and how many people (juniors) play the game. There is a reason the NRL have offered all clubs salary cap exemptions if they sign PNG juniors to their squads.

ARLC to fast track development of PNG players

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced a new policy aimed at developing rugby league talent in Papua New Guinea, in preparation for a Port Moresby-based NRL team expected to join the competition in 2028.

www.nrl.com

The NRLWA is a fair bit off where it needs to be to adequately resource the game (Bears) in any meaningful way. The revised junior pathways structures are still being developed and worked-on. The Bears were always going to look around for talent. I’ve been saying since day-1 that they would be taking a holistic approach to recruitment. I’ve been saying since day-1 that PNG would likely provide some players (or juniors) for the Bears. Judah Rimbu is on a train & trial with the Bears after all.

I’m not sure why you gents are suddenly up in arms. The information has been here in this very sub-forum for absolute months.

Whether the Bears potentially are or aren’t looking at a young talent like Gairo Voro - his place of origin is completely irrelevant.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Shows why png is more valuable for league than Perth

It’s a travesty they need to approach png players

Being rejected by a png junior would be a huge slap in the face too

I don't get why Mal always does this, does he hate the game or something?
He's been working his butt off to undermine the Titans and now PNG..
Making it hard to like Perth.

are you 2 ok?? like did you 2 get hit on the head during the weekend or something?

nrl and its clubs are a business. a business tries to resource the best talent to improve itself.

are you saying all papuan players are now off limits because chiefs are coming into the comp? should all pasifika and new zealanders be off limits if/when nz2 come into the comp? should queenslanders be off limits if/when jets come into the comp?

like what are you 2 even talking about here. must be one of the shittest takes ive seens on this forum.

clubs will approach whoever they see fit that is available to best develop their rosters. be it a primary or development player. it doesnt matter if that person is from australia, nz, pasifika, papua, fiji, england etc. if theyre available then clubs reserve the right to chat to that player.

ya 2 just randomly criticising bears now for the most random reasons and ya arguments dont hold up.
be better & get some common sense in ya's with real life. if ya gonna go on these shit take crusades lol fmd