Bears miss mountain of talent... but could still sign these guns, including outcast No.7
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Bears miss mountain of talent... but could still sign these guns, including outcast No.7
The Perth Bears are yet to make an official NRL signing.
But Mal Meninga isn’t worried, even without having a player on his books 24 days into the free agency period.
“There is no pressure on us to sign anyone before Christmas, or even into the New Year,” Meninga said to
Code Sports.
“We’re taking our time. We will be patient, won’t be pressured and don’t want to put any players under pressure publicly.
“We have been talking to a lot of players and player managers and we’re happy with the people we’ve been talking to. How long it takes to sign players doesn’t particularly worry me to be honest.”
The Bears have been linked with a mountain of talent, but some of their biggest targets have turned their approaches down in big blows.
So here, foxsports.com.au takes a look at who Perth have missed out on and who remains on the club’s radar ahead of the 2027 season!
FULLBACK
Who have they missed out on: It was a far cry from every happening, but a move for James Tedesco has been ruled out after the veteran signed a fresh contract until at least the end of the 2027 season. In a similar vein, Tom Trbojevic also signed a new contract to remain at the Sea Eagles, although he had made it clear he wouldn’t play for a rival NRL club.
Who could arrive: Ryan Papenhuyzen was granted an immediate release from his contract with the Storm and his playing future is up in the air. The superstar No.1 has been linked with a move to rebel rugby competition R360, but there’s a mountain of uncertainty surrounding its potential to get off the ground. Partner that with the potential for players to earn 10-year bans from NRL competitions, and it remains to be seen if players like Papenhuyzen will sign on. But that’s where the Bears could come in. Papenhuyzen is said to be taking time away from professional sporting environments before he makes a call on his future and he could be afforded a full year to have a break before he returns to rugby league. While the spotlight will be on the new franchise at the start of their NRL career, Perth could also be a similar environment to that of Melbourne, with both being AFL-focused regions.
Elsewhere, the Bears have also been linked with Storm gun Nick Meaney, who is a versatile player who could wear the No.1 jersey or slot into the centres. His departure would be a mammoth clow for Melbourne, who have lost Papenhuyzen and Eli Katoa for the 2026 season after his ugly head knock situation. In an interesting turn of events, Scott Drinkwater could also reportedly become available. “Scott Drinkwater’s future beyond his current deal isn’t secure,” News Corp journalist David Riccio said on the Code NRL podcast. “When you hear that, it means there might be some leverage or mediation potentially about Scotty getting out of that contract at the Cowboys earlier than what it actually runs for.” The Cowboys gun is contracted until the end of the 2027 season, but should North Queensland bosses want to move on from him, the Bears could make a big play to land the gun No.1 for the 2027 season as a left-field option.
WINGERS
Who have they missed out on: Josh Addo-Carr was taken off the market by the Eels, who handed the veteran flyer a one-year contract extension for the 2027 season. Daine Laurie also signed a three-year deal with the Raiders, who could have been an outside option to play on the wing for the Bears. The Warriors also signed former Titans flyer Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who put pen to paper on a three-year contract ahead of the 2026 season.
Who could arrive: Theoretically, for the same reason as Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax could sign with the Bears. The Eels would need to give the gun flyer their blessing after he was granted a release, but a rugby switch looms likely for Lomax. Elsewhere, Selwyn Cobbo has been linked with the new franchise, according to News Corp.
The former Broncos star signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins ahead of the 2026 season, but he’s already hinted he could be on the move for 2027. There’s also a real possibility that Cobbo could sign on with a rival club before he even takes the field for the Dolphins and Mal Meninga could make a big play for his services. Cobbo only 23, but he can also play in the centres and at fullback, having Origin experience under his belt — making him a high-profile recruit. When at his best, Cobbo is one of the NRL’s most dangerous players and Mal Meninga could harness his talent. Elsewhere, the likes of Will Warbrick, Tom Jenkins, Jeral Skelton and Murray Taulagi are all on the open market and could be signed by the Bears,
CENTRES
Who have they missed out on: The Bears weren’t linked with a move for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, but looks likely the veteran centre will remain at the Warriors and snub an R360 switch according to Code Sports. Elsewhere, Taylan May also signed a fresh two-year deal with the Tigers which sees him remain contracted until the end of the 2027 season.
Who could arrive: The Bears are reportedly leading the race to sign Reuben Garrick, in what could be a huge boost for the new franchise. WWOS’ The Mole took to Facebook to reveal Garrick could land in Perth, having made it clear he would hit the open market. According to Code Sports, his extension talks with the Sea Eagles fell flat after they tabled a two-year contract extension to retain him. Garrick would be an excellent addition to the Bears squad, with the ability to kick goals and play in the centres or on the wing. Perth have also reportedly signed English international Harry Newman, who is set to become one of the club’s first official signings according to Code Sports.
Newman will play one more season with the Leeds Rhinos before making the move to Australia, signing a three-year contract. The 25-year-old played in the third Ashes Test against the Kangaroos and made his Super League debut in 2017. Another potential target is the resurgent Broncos star Gehamat Shibasaki, who is due for a mammoth pay rise. Starting the year with a train-and-trial, the Broncos gun made his Origin and Test debuts this year after almost giving up on playing professional rugby league altogether. The Broncos handed the 27-year-old an upgrade to their top 30 for the 2026 season, but he is reportedly still only earning around $140,000. Brisbane will likely be unable to match their rival’s contracts, already facing a mammoth salary cap squeeze with the likes of Payne Haas yet to re-sign. Therefore, the Bears are in a prime position to swoop in and secure his services.
FIVE-EIGHTH
Who they’ve missed out on: The biggest fish the Bears were on the market for, Cameron Munster, made it clear he won’t be departing the Storm. “I will honour my contract and the club doesn’t want to let me go,” Munster said to
Code Sports. “There has been speculation (around me) for ages. “If they don’t want me any longer than those two years, and they want to push me out in a wheelchair, then that’s what they will have to do. “I have spoken to Melbourne and, even if there was an inkling of the door being ajar to leave, they don’t want me going.” It’s a hammer blow for Perth, who are desperate to land a marquee signing.
Who could arrive: As aforementioned, Tyran Wishart could also be included in this list, while there’s a handful of other players who could be on the Bears’ radar. Jaxon Purdue is the first, having been linked with a move to the Storm, while the Cowboys are also desperate to keep the young gun whose current contract expires at the end of the 2026 season. The 20-year-old has plyed his trade in the centres for majority of his short NRL career, but his long-term future is in the halves and Perth could make a bold play for him to wear the No.6 jersey long-term and table a mammoth deal to pry him away from Townsville.
Elsewhere, Roosters gun Hugo Savala is set to test the open market after the arrival of veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans. Savala had a breakout season in the halves under Trent Robinson and the 23-year-old has landed on the Bears radar according to
Code Sports. The talented star has a huge boot and has developed immensely in his single first grade season, while many believe Savala could also have a future as a lock forward given his size, standing at 194 centimetres.
HALFBACK
Who they’ve missed out on: Jayden Campbell was being tipped to become the club’s marquee star after he was reportedly tabled a mammoth five-year, $6 million contract to make the move west. The 25-year-old snubbed that offer to re-sign with the Titans in a mammoth blow for Mal Meninga’s side, who have now been left to look elsewhere for a marquee target. Young gun Coby Black has also signed a two-year deal to join the Raiders in 2027, having fallen down the halfback pecking order at the Broncos with Jonah Pezet set to arrive at the club that same year.
Who could arrive: Toby Sexton is reportedly still linked with a Bears move, having left the Bulldogs ahead of the 2026 season to sign with the Catalans Dragons. Despite putting pen to paper on two-year deal, his time in France could be shut short with The Australian’s Brent Read previously tipping him to be the new franchise’s first signing. “They’re in town. They had five days of meetings last week and plotted their attack plan. devised a plan and they are meeting managers in Sydney and Brisbane this week,” Read said on Triple M.
“Toby Sexton has been linked with them for a while and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s their first signing.” Elsewhere, Storm gun Tyran Wishart has also been linked with a Bears switch for 2027, having emerged as a genuine first grade playmaking option under Craig Bellamy. Wishart is blocked by Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster at the Storm and it is unlikely he will remain and wear the No.14 for years to come. The 26-year-old is also equally capable of playing five-eighth and a variety of positions, making him the perfect recruit. Should an elite No.6 become available, Wishart can wear the No.7 jersey and vice versa.
PROP
Who they’ve missed out on: Payne Haas would have made the perfect marquee recruit, but he’s dwindled his options down to R360 or remaining at the Broncos. It would have taken a monumental offer to secure Haas’ services, but the Bears could have been competitive considering they have a clean salary cap. Elsewhere, Griffin Neame, a prop whose value has risen significantly in recent years, re-signed on a fresh three-year deal to remain at the Cowboys.
Who could arrive: Liam Henry is set to join Harry Newman as one of the Bears’ first official NRL signings, with Perth’s contract offer blowing that of the Panthers out of the water. The Penrith prop has been a consistent performer off the bench under Ivan Cleary, but his path to the starting side is blocked by Moses Leota and Lindsay Smith, and as such he will look elsewhere for a bigger role. Former Cowboys enforcer Marly Bitungane is also reportedly set to link up with the Bears after a one-year stint with the London Broncos according to
Code Sports. The 23-year-old played two NRL games under Todd Payten this year, having began his rugby league career as a winger before he shifted to the middle of the park, with all of his appearances in 2025 coming in the front row or off the bench. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is another big fish that’s still on the market and Mal Meninga has previously confirmed his interest in the Titans superstar.
Meninga reportedly contacted Fa’asuamaleaui’s management to outline his vision for the club and discuss a potential move, with
Code Sports reporting it would take a seven-year contract worth north of $10 million to secure his services. Fa’asuamaleaui has a get-out clause for the 2027 season, meaning he is currently a free agent and is free to negotiate with rivals clubs, with the Gold Coast and Storm also in the race for his services. “The Bears have expressed interest, yes,” his manager Simon Mammino said. “I spoke to Mal and he expressed interest and wanted to see if we are keen to talk at November 1.”
HOOKER
Who they’ve missed out on: Harry Grant was yet another marquee recruit that slipped through the Bears finger, although it was widely assumed the gun hooker would re-sign with the Storm. His two-year extension was announced on Thursday which will keep him in the famous purple jersey until the end of the 2028 season.
Who could arrive: According to
WWOS, PNG international Judah Rimbu is set to join the Bears on a train-and-trial deal for the 2027 season. The 24-year-old is a versatile playmaker, who can cover hooker and halfback has scored 25 tries in 78 games for PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup, while he has scored one try in six Tests for the Kumuls to date. Rimbu will play for the Easts Tigers in Brisbane next season, who are a feeder club for the Perth franchise. Rimbu is a talented player and it remains to be seen if he will sign on long-term, considering the PNG Chiefs are set to enter the competition ahead of the 2028 season.
Elsewhere, Cory Paix signed a one-year contract extension in September for the 2026 season, but is without a club for the following year. The Broncos gun could be a savvy signing for the Bears, allowing the 25-year-old to remain in Australia after previously being linked with a move to the Super League. Another Brisbane hooker in Billy Walters could also be an option, although he is 33 by the time the Bears will play their first game. Walters’ versatility will also see him cover hooker and the halves, which is a huge bonus for Mal Meninga.
BACK ROWERS
Who they’ve missed out on: David Fifita was one of the most high-profile players available in the back row and he eventually signed with the Rabbitohs, reuniting with Wayne Bennett in Sydney after he was released by the Titans. Meanwhile, another Gold Coast player in Beau Fermor made the decision to sign a fresh three-year deal to remain at the club after he was linked with a move to the Bears, having been included on Perth’s signings shortlist.
Who could arrive: Luke Smith, alongside Marly Bitungane will reportedly spend a year at the London Broncos before joining the Bears in 2027. The former Bulldog, who can play in the centres and in the back row, is a player on the rise but was deemed surplus to requirements under Cameron Ciraldo.
He has played two NRL games to date, alongside 21 reserve grade games. Another player that will undoubtedly be on the Bears radar is Keaon Koloamatangi, although he is being shopped by his manager as a prop with a desire to play in the front row. The Rabbitohs gun’s future is up in the air, but it’d be remiss of Perth recruitment bosses not to make a play for his services, whether that be on an edge or in the middle of the park.
According to Code Sports, Panthers veteran Scott Sorensen has also been linked with a move west where he would likely finish his career. The 32-year-old is currently contracted until the end of the 2026 season while Jacob Preston is another on Perth’s radar, according to News Corp. It’s incredibly unlikely he will be available for the Bears’ inaugural season with his current contract expiring at the end of the 2027 season, but he has been linked with a move.
Scott Sorensen’s future at the Panthers remains unclear.Source: Getty Images
LOCK
Who they’ve missed out on: Morgan Smithies is yet to officially re-sign, but it has been widely reported he has received an extension offer from the Raiders. It remains to be seen if he will sign on, although it’s expected to English gun will remain at the club. Elsewhere, Roosters young gun Blake Steep was handed a new deal, signing on until the end of the 2028 season in early November.
Who could arrive: Cameron McInnes is one player who could make a move to finish his career in Perth and he has been linked with a move according to The Australian’s Brent Read, who earmarked the Sharks gun as a recruitment option on Triple M. The 31-year-old is currently sidelined with an ACL injury, but is without a contract for 2027 and is a player who could give Mal Meninga a handful of solid seasons in the middle of the park.
McInnes could also be the perfect captain and has the ability to play 80 minutes, depending on how well he comes back from his injury blow. Elsewhere, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is another player who could come under the lock category, with his ability to play every role in the middle of the park.
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