Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[SirPies&Beers]

I started a coaching thread to divert this argument there. Hopefully it'll take some struggle out of it.

now you can go back to just calling posters who know stuff liars even though it turns out they were right the whole time and you just couldn't accept it.

we can have our peni5 measuring contest of who is right in the mal thread ya created, im packing a Schwerer Gustav cannon though.

Not sure anyone has said… but this thread is a struggle

sorry thats because of me and gobjob. i'll do better

 

[Perth Red]

Not sure anyone has said… but this thread is a struggle

Id hoped we'd leave this sht in the expansion thread but alas the trolls and deadbeats have latched on to Perth for some reason!

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Id hoped we'd leave this sht in the expansion thread but alas the trolls and deadbeats have latched on to Perth for some reason!

coming from the king of forum deadbeats perthwrongs thats saying something. you gotten anything remotely close to right yet?

Apparently Bears looking at Trout. The double meaning isnt lost.

Owen Trout future takes fresh twist as NRL team monitor Leigh Leopards situation​

Aaron Bower5 hours ago

Perth Bears are monitoring Owen Trout’s situation as they weigh up a possible move to sign the England international in 2027, with his new deal at Leigh Leopards still not finalised.
Love Rugby League revealed last week that Trout was heading towards signing a new long-term, multi-year contract with the club which included break clauses should the forward receive an offer from the NRL.

But sources in Australia have now indicated to Love Rugby League that the deal remains unsigned as of the time of writing and there remains serious NRL interest for as early as next season in Trout.

That includes the competition’s newest team, Perth. They have already signed two English Super League stars for their inaugural squad, with Leeds Rhinos duo Harry Newman and James McDonnell agreeing to make the move Down Under next season to play for Mal Meninga’s side.

And the Bears are also interested in Trout for a deal as early as next season should he ultimately decide to test himself Down Under instead of re-signing. Leigh remain confident the forward will sign but there are clubs in the NRL – not just Perth – waiting to strike should he head onto the open market instead.

Trout has a desire to play in the NRL at some stage having developed into one of the standout forwards in Super League during his time with the Leopards.

He is heading into his third season with the club, having joined Leigh at the start of the 2024 season after four years with Huddersfield Giants.

Capable of playing in the front or back row, Trout was integral for Leigh in 2025 as they recorded their highest-ever finish in Super League after ending the season in third place. They also reached the semi-finals of the Super League play-offs for the first time.

That form led to Trout being called into Shaun Wane’s England squad for the Ashes, and he made his Test debut from the bench in the opening game of the series against Australia at Wembley Stadium.

Leigh Leopards star attracting NRL interest for 2027 in transfer twist

Leigh Leopards forward Owen Trout is still being courted over a possible move to the NRL as early as next season.

www.loverugbyleague.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Outcast playmaker eyes stunning NRL return; Bears chase latest signing coup — Transfer Whispers

Outcast playmaker eyes stunning NRL return; Bears chase latest signing coup — Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

Outcast playmaker eyes stunning NRL return; Bears chase latest signing coup​

Once labelled as Cooper Cronk’s successor, former Storm and Broncos playmaker Brodie Croft could be set for an NRL lifeline.

After spending the past four years overseas in the English Super League, where he was crowned the 2022 Man of Steel winner (the competition’s equivalent to the Dally M), Croft has found himself on the radar of an NRL club.

Currently building their inaugural squad, the Yorkshire Evening Post understands that the Perth Bears are “believed” to have the 28-year-old on their radar as they prepare to sign someone to join Toby Sexton in the halves.

This isn’t the first time Croft has been linked with a move back to the NRL in recent years, with the Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers reportedly showing an interest in him over the past 24 months.

Taking his game to new heights while playing overseas, he is off-contract at the end of this season and has 65 NRL first-grade matches to his name for the Broncos and Storm during his previous stint Down Under.

PERTH BEARS INTERESTED IN ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL

The Perth Bears could be set to land another player from the Super League, with reports emerging that they have a heavy interest in an English international forward.

According to Love Rugby League, the Bears are interested in 134-game Super League forward Owen Trout, who remains unsigned for the 2027 season and they are currently monitoring his contract situation.

However, they aren’t the only team in contention for Trout’s signature, with several other clubs watching him closely.

The interest from the Bears comes as they have already signed centre Harry Newman and back-rower James McDonnell from the Leeds Rhinos ahead of their introduction into the NRL in 2027.

“I’m just excited about the opportunity. I’ve had the chance to go over to Australia before. I feel like if it’s not now, I won’t ever go,” Bears new recruit Harry Newman told NRL.com, speaking about his pending move to the NRL.
“I feel like I’m in a position where I’m ready to go and do those things. The lifestyle, where we’ll be living, where I’ll be training the teams we’ll be coming up against … it’s an exciting prospect.

“Look, I had some good chats with Mal. He’s been magnificent, the whole club has in terms of sorting out the move and sorting the logistics out for next year.

“Now it’s back to Leeds, the club that has given me everything on and off the field the last 12 years of my life. I’ve been here since I was 14.”

 

[SirPies&Beers]

On Croft. The Broncos 2020/21 under Seibs season ruined him and lets be honest it ruined Dearden as well.
Dearden bounced back amazingly with Cowboys after it looked like the scrap heap for him but that was also in NRL.

Croft ended up winning man of steel in 2022 and picking his career back up but that was in ESL.

Not saying croft is on deardens level or anything so dont take it out of context just pointing out that seibold ruined both players and croft gets maligned still for it even though he has vastly improved albeit it in ESL.

 

[Gobsmacked]

On Croft. The Broncos 2020/21 under Seibs season ruined him and lets be honest it ruined Dearden as well.
Dearden bounced back amazingly with Cowboys after it looked like the scrap heap for him but that was also in NRL.

Croft ended up winning man of steel in 2022 and picking his career back up but that was in ESL.

Not saying croft is on deardens level or anything so dont take it out of context just pointing out that seibold ruined both players and croft gets maligned still for it even though he has vastly improved albeit it in ESL.

Perth already have 1 NRL reject half, 2 is stretching it !
There's good young halves coming through and some just stuck behind top brass. The Broncos will have Pezzet in 2027. That's Hunt, Renolds, Pezzet and Mam. Obviously either Hunt or Renolds are going and either would be great to have at a new club that needs leadership. That's just one example.
Surely they won't waste a roster spot/ cap on Croft.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Perth already have 1 NRL reject half, 2 is stretching it !
There's good young halves coming through and some just stuck behind top brass. The Broncos will have Pezzet in 2027. That's Hunt, Renolds, Pezzet and Mam. Obviously either Hunt or Renolds are going and either would be great to have at a new club that needs leadership. That's just one example.
Surely they won't waste a roster spot/ cap on Croft.

This is what is available and there hasn't been much for halves anyways prior to who is remaining>

Croft would be around same as most those blokes.

Aging DCE, Cody and Reyno aint going anywhere.

Nikorima might go and would be worth a punt on.

Boyd, Clifford, CHT (as starter), TMM (as starter), Gamble ya get relatively the same stuff. All have ups and downs in their game. None are consistent.

Duffy, Puru, Herdegen not really tested.

Purdue stands out and is a must. They need to make a play but he wouldnt be half. But could do 5'8.

Volkman has his issues. Schneider, maybe? but not as a 5'8 although he can tackle. his legs ae just slow.

Toelau likely gets extended at storm and replaces wishy as their 14.

 

[Wb1234]

Chasing a dud like Croft

Yeh they are desperate

 

[Wb1234]

Perth already have 1 NRL reject half, 2 is stretching it !
There's good young halves coming through and some just stuck behind top brass. The Broncos will have Pezzet in 2027. That's Hunt, Renolds, Pezzet and Mam. Obviously either Hunt or Renolds are going and either would be great to have at a new club that needs leadership. That's just one example.
Surely they won't waste a roster spot/ cap on Croft.

Dolphins took a chance on Katoa

Even Karl olepauu is back in training for the dolphins

 

[Gobsmacked]

View attachment 109101
This is what is available and there hasn't been much for halves anyways prior to who is remaining>

Croft would be around same as most those blokes.

Aging DCE, Cody and Reyno aint going anywhere.

Nikorima might go and would be worth a punt on.

Boyd, Clifford, CHT (as starter), TMM (as starter), Gamble ya get relatively the same stuff. All have ups and downs in their game. None are consistent.

Duffy, Puru, Herdegen not really tested.

Purdue stands out and is a must. They need to make a play but he wouldnt be half. But could do 5'8.

Volkman has his issues. Schneider, maybe? but not as a 5'8 although he can tackle. his legs ae just slow.

Toelau likely gets extended at storm and replaces wishy as their 14.

I still don't see Sexton as a first choice half.
Purdue would be a massive/ maybe their best prospect if they could get him and Schneider would be a tremendous get, he's ready to have his own team. Boyd is ok, still better than Sexton.

There's plenty in surplus that are still on the books at their clubs that are ripe for early release. They'll want a starting spot and that's what Perth can offer. Schneider is both off contract and stuck in reserves, he'd be perfect.

There's plenty in line to run an NRL team ahead of Croft..

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Chasing a dud like Croft

Yeh they are desperate

out of curiosity why is he a dud? he was good at storm.

now if you think he is a dud because of his time at broncos 2020/21 seasons under seibold then you didnt read things properly. dearden was just as bad in that time frame and its not surprising both players got alot better after they left that seibold 2020/21 broncos side. isaako was bog average too. now he is the most consistent backline player at phins.

not saying bears should go for him but i provided a list of whats actually available right now. real time.
who you got?

 

[Centy Coast]

Perth already have 1 NRL reject half, 2 is stretching it !
There's good young halves coming through and some just stuck behind top brass. The Broncos will have Pezzet in 2027. That's Hunt, Renolds, Pezzet and Mam. Obviously either Hunt or Renolds are going and either would be great to have at a new club that needs leadership. That's just one example.
Surely they won't waste a roster spot/ cap on Croft.

Reynolds use by date has nearly expired, I’d rather a young dud atm to be honest.
See how Reynolds is travelling midway through 2026.

 

[Wb1234]

out of curiosity why is he a dud? he was good at storm.

now if you think he is a dud because of his time at broncos 2020/21 seasons under seibold then you didnt read things properly. dearden was just as bad in that time frame and its not surprising both players got alot better after they left that seibold 2020/21 broncos side. isaako was bog average too. now he is the most consistent backline player at phins.

not saying bears should go for him but i provided a list of whats actually available right now. real time.
who you got?

Building a club based on nrl rejects/players from good clubs who have done nothing/no name English players and hoping it sticks is an interesting strategy

They still got a year to get some good players

 

[Wb1234]

I still don't see Sexton as a first choice half.
Purdue would be a massive/ maybe their best prospect if they could get him and Schneider would be a tremendous get, he's ready to have his own team. Boyd is ok, still better than Sexton.

There's plenty in surplus that are still on the books at their clubs that are ripe for early release. They'll want a starting spot and that's what Perth can offer. Schneider is both off contract and stuck in reserves, he'd be perfect.

There's plenty in line to run an NRL team ahead of Croft..

I like sexton

Yeh he’s boring but he provides decent structure and you know what you’re going to get

Dogs went south when they punted him

 

[SirPies&Beers]

I still don't see Sexton as a first choice half.
Purdue would be a massive/ maybe their best prospect if they could get him and Schneider would be a tremendous get, he's ready to have his own team. Boyd is ok, still better than Sexton.

There's plenty in surplus that are still on the books at their clubs that are ripe for early release. They'll want a starting spot and that's what Perth can offer. Schneider is both off contract and stuck in reserves, he'd be perfect.

There's plenty in line to run an NRL team ahead of Croft..

panthers fan will be the first ones to say schneider can tackle but his attack is slow. its like he sees the plays unfold but he cant get to the point of field to actually put the plays on in time for any effectiveness. but he will make tackles.

boyd had a hyper dominant forward pack in the games he was chief play maker at warriors in 2025 and couldn't get it done. good kicking game though.

purdue seems the best of the lot but no guarantee he is even a half/5'8.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Building a club based on nrl rejects/players from good clubs who have done nothing/no name English players and hoping it sticks is an interesting strategy

They still got a year to get some good players

that doesnt answer what i asked ya though. i asked ya

out of curiosity why is he a dud? he was good at storm.

now if you think he is a dud because of his time at broncos 2020/21 seasons under seibold then you didnt read things properly. dearden was just as bad in that time frame and its not surprising both players got alot better after they left that seibold 2020/21 broncos side. isaako was bog average too. now he is the most consistent backline player at phins.

not saying bears should go for him but i provided a list of whats actually available right now. real time.
who you got?

 

[Gobsmacked]

Reynolds use by date has nearly expired, I’d rather a young dud atm to be honest.
See how Reynolds is travelling midway through 2026.

They won't get Renolds but it would be good to have a football brain like that around the club in any capacity. That's what Perth need to find.

 

[Wb1234]

Kennedy is one like 300k and he’s a gun he’s exactly who they should be signing

He did sign a one year deal

 

[Wb1234]

that doesnt answer what i asked ya though. i asked ya

out of curiosity why is he a dud? he was good at storm.

now if you think he is a dud because of his time at broncos 2020/21 seasons under seibold then you didnt read things properly. dearden was just as bad in that time frame and its not surprising both players got alot better after they left that seibold 2020/21 broncos side. isaako was bog average too. now he is the most consistent backline player at phins.

not saying bears should go for him but i provided a list of whats actually available right now. real time.
who you got?

Go through nsw cup and the top clubs halves and watch one of those and see whose good

And I said before Karl oleppau

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Kennedy is one like 300k and he’s a gun he’s exactly who they should be signing

He did sign a one year deal

this is same artcle from pam as other day just titled differently. news ltd do that