Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[BuffaloRules]

Recent signings and players linked to the team have been “modest”….

Even the Pommy prop they signed a couple of weeks back seems more of a bench player to me …

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Recent signings and players linked to the team have been “modest”….

Even the Pommy prop they signed a couple of weeks back seems more of a bench player to me …

question is though who is actually available and then from that pool who actually wants to relocate their young families across the country? especially if families are comfortable in their current locations due to family and friends proximity.
once you sift through it its not as big of a willing available player pool that wants to head west.

but on the flip side you can also look at it like this.

mikolaj, mcdonnell and newmann are english internationals. whether we agree or disagree that theyre good enough or the english game is strong/weak, it goes without saying that those lads did beat out others in their positions to win those caps. leeds are also a good strong side.

 

[BuffaloRules]

question is though who is actually available and then from that pool who actually wants to relocate their young families across the country? especially if families are comfortable in their current locations due to family and friends proximity.
once you sift through it its not as big of a willing available player pool that wants to head west.

but on the flip side you can also look at it like this.

mikolaj, mcdonnell and newmann are english internationals. whether we agree or disagree that theyre good enough or the english game is strong/weak, it goes without saying that those lads did beat out others in their positions to win those caps. leeds are also a good strong side.

Yep ..I didn’t say it’s an easy task …but it’s one we’ve heard them say they are up for, and that they expect to succeed with putting together a competitive team

I looked at that best 17 YouTube team you posted earlier… still some work to done in that regard IMO

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Yep ..I didn’t say it’s an easy task …but it’s one we’ve heard them say they are up for, and that they expect to succeed with putting together a competitive team

I looked at that best 17 YouTube team you posted earlier… still some work to done in that regard IMO

13 spots left to fill after Mav and youd imagine some of the already signed are depth at best. I say 5 of the remaining 13 left to sign are definite playing 17's and the rest of the spots are 18-30

we will see more xerri in 2026, hunt end of 2024, lomax & papenhayzen end of 2025 situations as the year goes on. meaning decent players we arent even think about currently will become available.

 

[Wb1234]

13 spots left to fill after Mav and youd imagine some of the already signed are depth at best. I say 5 of the remaining 13 left to sign are definite playing 17's and the rest of the spots are 18-30

we will see more xerri in 2026, hunt end of 2024, lomax & papenhayzen end of 2025 situations as the year goes on. meaning decent players we arent even think about currently will become available.

There was a podcast I watched yesterday and the guy was saying he’s sure they will get some marquees this year as clubs let players under contract look around eg burton

 

[jason taylor]

question is though who is actually available and then from that pool who actually wants to relocate their young families across the country? especially if families are comfortable in their current locations due to family and friends proximity.
once you sift through it its not as big of a willing available player pool that wants to head west.

but on the flip side you can also look at it like this.

mikolaj, mcdonnell and newmann are english internationals. whether we agree or disagree that theyre good enough or the english game is strong/weak, it goes without saying that those lads did beat out others in their positions to win those caps. leeds are also a good strong side.

Yep - Perth was always going to have similar issues that the Warriors have in recruiting players from the east coast. Plus signings as a whole for next season have quietened down across the league. You'll see it re-emerge mid-season/towards the end of the season.

They aren't tracking that much differently to the Dolphin's experience. Just look at the team they fielded for their inaugural match.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

BEARS TARGETING YOUNG DOGS FLYER​

Jonathan Sua in action during the trials. Getty

Promising young Bulldogs winger Jonathan Sua is the latest target of the Perth Bears.

Sua has played one NRL game for the Dogs in 2024 but is a prolific try scorer in the lower grades.

Tall and athletic, he easily elevated to the club's top 30 squad over the summer and is expected to play first grade at some stage this season.

But the 21-year-old is coming off contract at the end of the year and has attracted the eye of Bears coach Mal Meninga.

"Perth have shown interest in him so Jonathan has some decisions to make," his manager Gavin Orr told Wide World of Sports.

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-the-mole-ben-teo-brisbane-broncos-exit-gold-coast-titans-coaching-move-20260324-p5wky4.html

 

[Perth Red]

Ideally we’d sign big name #9 and #1 if any available. Not given hope paps might come out of retirement!

 

[SirPies&Beers]

If Bears can nab either Connor Watson
Perth Bears could swoop on State of Origin player from Roosters after losing starting role

The Perth Bears may look to ramp up their pursuit of Roosters and NSW State of Origin star Connor Watson, as uncertainty continues to surround his role at the NRL club. Watson has once again been named in the No.14 jersey for Friday night's grudge match against the Rabbitohs, with Roosters young gun Benaiah Ioelu picked ahead of him at dummy-half for the second week running.

Watson was the Roosters' first-choice hooker for the majority of last season, but he also featured at lock and proved a versatile option for Trent Robinson's side. However, the signing of NSW hooker Reece Robson has pushed Watson down the pecking order in 2026, and the NRL's new six-man bench rule has hurt his value as a utility player.

Perth Bears could swoop on State of Origin player after losing starting role

Bears coach Mal Meninga would be keeping a close eye on the situation. More here.

au.news.yahoo.com

or Jamie Humphreys

BUNNIES STALL TALKS WITH PLAYMAKER

The arrival of Payne Haas could come at a hefty price, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs deciding to halt contract talks with a key member of their spine.

Playing 18 matches with the club last season after arriving from the Manly Sea Eagles, Jamie Humphreys was able to cement the halfback spot ahead of Jayden Sullivan and the now departed Lewis Dodd.

Humphreys’ great form saw him and his management locked in advanced discussions with the club over a one-year extension until the end of 2027.

However, Code Sports reports that the Rabbitohs have now decided to stall those contract talks as they attempt to fit everyone under their salary cap.

It is understood that if a deal is not struck between the two parties, the Perth Bears are expected to show a keen interest in his services due to his ability to play in the halves or at hooker.

As it stands, they have recruited Toby Sexton and Tyran Wishart to play in the halves but the arrival of Humphreys could see the latter make the switch to dummy-half.

Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs also have Ashton Ward and Jonah Glover on their books as potential replacements, while rookie Matthew Humphries is seen as the club’s long-term halfback.

Rival coach’s blunt response to Xerri link; Bunnies stall talks with halfback — Transfer Whispers

Rival coach’s blunt response to Xerri link; Bunnies stall talks with halfback — Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

then it could have a Bears starting spine of

1. TBC
6. Humphreys/Wishart/Watson
7. Sexton
9. Wishart/Watson/Humphreys

It gives Bears dual position flexibility

fullback tbc, but with fuller purdue tracey kennedy still on open market anything can happen

 

[BuffaloRules]

Watson and Wishart reminds me of the 2 Spider-Man’s pointing at each other

 

[SirPies&Beers]

 

[SirPies&Beers]

TIGERS DUO LINKED WITH BEARS

On the verge of signing Wests Tigers forward Mavrik Geyer, the Perth Bears have identified another member of the club’s forward pack to join their inaugural roster.

Linked with the Bears for the past four weeks, foxsports.com.au understands that Geyer is set to make the switch to the new expansion club at the end of the season, which will see him follow in his father’s footsteps.

Three decades ago, his father Mark Geyer became the face of the Western Reds and played 22 matches for the Perth-based franchise as their marquee player before the side folded in 1997.

Yet to play an NRL match for the Tigers, Mavrik arrived at the club from the Penrith Panthers on a one-year contract.

Meanwhile, the Bears have now found themselves eyeing off another member of the joint-venture club.

Foxsports.com.au has learned that Mal Meninga’s side has expressed interest in Kit Laulilii, having already secured his younger brother, Luke, on a two-year deal.

Recently sidelined due to a concussion, Kit captained the famed 2022 Western Suburbs Magpies side to the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup title alongside the likes of Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva and has racked up three NRL appearances.

A powerful middle forward who can play either in the front-row or lock, Laulilii looked up to North Queensland Cowboys icon Jason Taumalolo growing up.

“I really looked to Jason Taumalolo growing up,” he told this columnist in the past.

“He was a wrecking ball growing up so watching how he played and how he ball ran back then, I reckon he was one of the most dominant forwards back then.

“During the time growing up, looking at him (I’m) just trying to mimic his step, his hard ball-running skills, and if I can take a little bit of myself out of someone, it’d definitely be Jason Taumalolo.”

Former Dally M winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set to quit Warriors, snub Sydney rivals as new club revealed — Transfer Whispers

Former Dally M winner set to quit Warriors, snub Sydney rivals as new club revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Rookie Bulldogs star next on Bears' hit list

The winger is set to feature at some point in the NRL this year.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-cronulla-sharks-form-losses-phil-gould-comments-reaction-salary-cap-squad-future-exclusive-20260325-p5zisd.html

surely a few we have discussed before start ramping up with potential bears spot? @bad boy bubby you heard anymore on the current unsigned?

 

[Gobsmacked]

Anyone have any idea where Bears are at regarding the cap??

 

[Gobsmacked]

AJ Brimson! Titans are once again looking to shift him to the centres as 5/8 isn't working.. newsflash Titans! He ain't a center either..!
He's a Fullback and a dam good one - a marque Fullback in fact. But the Titans already have 1 if not 2 marque Fullbacks!

Bears need to act on this imo, work with the Titans to pay out his contract and top it up for a move west- fullback is yours, more money..

Or am I delusional again.. ?

 

[SirPies&Beers]

AJ Brimson! Titans are once again looking to shift him to the centres as 5/8 isn't working.. newsflash Titans! He ain't a center either..!
He's a Fullback and a dam good one - a marque Fullback in fact. But the Titans already have 1 if not 2 marque Fullbacks!

Bears need to act on this imo, work with the Titans to pay out his contract and top it up for a move west- fullback is yours, more money..

Or am I delusional again.. ?

what if brimo doesn't want to relocate 4000kms away. he has a good contract at titans $800k p/season until 2030... still another $3.2m AFTER 2026 to be paid out.

you make it seem like its all a walk in the park. lol

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Anyone have any idea where Bears are at regarding the cap??

anyone = @Red&BlackBear
he would be the only poster with any idea on it

ya know the poster you said was lying about some of the intel only to be proven right, multiple times by multiple sources including official perth bears in multiple reports....

 

[bad boy bubby]

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2026-cronulla-sharks-form-losses-phil-gould-comments-reaction-salary-cap-squad-future-exclusive-20260325-p5zisd.html

surely a few we have discussed before start ramping up with potential bears spot? @bad boy bubby you heard anymore on the current unsigned?

The last bit of info I received was that Billy Burns had signed and that Fitz was to be announced a few weeks later. They have both now occurred.

In regards to our players still off contract, only Rudolf, Stonestreet and maybe Katoa have been pulling their weight. The rest of them better get their shyte together if they want to be either re-signed or signed to another club. Even our signed players were pretty rank last week.
Sifa has looked way below his best since signing with Perth. He didn't want to leave but the cash was too good to refuse. I hope for the Bears sake he isn't one of those players that only plays well with a certain club and coach. It happens to some unfortunately.

 

[Gobsmacked]

what if brimo doesn't want to relocate 4000kms away. he has a good contract at titans $800k p/season until 2030... still another $3.2m AFTER 2026 to be paid out.

you make it seem like its all a walk in the park. lol

I don't mean to make it seem like a walk in the park but it certainly easier than Lomax to Storm lol.

I don't think it would be overs for Perth to be paying a Million per season for him, so it would be an upgrade for him and he'd be paying his preferred position.

I don't think it's easy! It's just that this deal would benefit all parties.

Titans need to move him on , not because he's a bad player but obviously Kini is the Fullback and fullback is the only position he's good at, absolutely kills it every time he plays there.

800k going down the drain at the Titans.