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Bears Coaching Chat

Red&BlackBear

Red&BlackBear

First Grade
Messages
5,799
Perth Red said:
Two coaches with zero nrl club experience (in mals case in modern times)? Do we want someone with coaching runs on the board or a couple of media names?
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You’ve completely missed the point of why Mal is being pushed as possible inaugural coach.
 
Dragonwest

Dragonwest

Juniors
Messages
1,875
The team will need a strong managerial and senior coaching presence here in Perth in late 2025 and 2026 to get the systems started and make sure the right appointments are made.

I was told Sam was not keen to be in Perth 2026, I could imagine Mal is being looked at to be here and start the hard task of setting up the club.
 
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Perth Red

Perth Red

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73,109
Did Kevvie or Brad 'leak' this? lol

“I’m Bigger Than Them”: Sam Burgess Calls Perth Bears a “Small Thing” as Injury Crisis Clouds Future Plans
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has delivered a scathing assessment of rumours linking him with the Perth Bears head coaching job, dismissing the speculation by reportedly calling the fledgling NRL franchise “a small thing” and declaring, “I’m bigger than them” inside the Wolves’ dressing room.
Sources close to the club suggest that Burgess’ strong reaction may be fuelled by the mounting injury crisis at Warrington, which has left the rookie head coach frustrated and fully focused on navigating a turbulent Super League campaign rather than entertaining future coaching opportunities.
Burgess has previously acknowledged that he would be open to speaking with the Perth Bears about the 2027 coaching role, but in the wake of his side’s 31-12 defeat to Hull KR on Friday night, he offered a much more blunt and dismissive tone.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Burgess said: “Rumours are just rumours. There’s nothing going on. There’s no talks, no movement, nothing. It’s just people talking. Right now, I’m here at Warrington, and that’s all I’m focused on.”

However, reports from inside the Warrington camp revealed that Burgess had more to say behind closed doors. In the dressing room, he allegedly referred to the Perth Bears as “a small thing,” suggesting the expansion club was beneath the level of his current ambitions. “I’m bigger than them,” he reportedly said, reinforcing the idea that he sees himself as operating at a higher tier than what the Perth project currently offers.

https://sportip.co.uk/index.php/202...scwwEN6joWF4FXGuLg_aem_w9K3jMWxHPwrsDMpqk4zsg
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
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1,713
Perth Red

Perth Red

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73,109
As a HKR fan I'm thrilled if its not Peters, as a Perth Bears fan Im less enamored at a coach whose been out of clubland for over 20 years.
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
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1,713
Perth Red said:
As a HKR fan I'm thrilled if its not Peters, as a Perth Bears fan Im less enamored at a coach whose been out of clubland for over 20 years.
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he wouldn't be "coaching". he would be managing and building. he will be the face for recruitment, he is a hyper approachable person and incredibly well respected in the game.
the real game day & training "coaches" with tactics and strategies would be his assistants.

if mal gets the gig he will only be there for a couple years to help build the club and roster while also being a media conduit and recognizable and respected figure, thats all that would be needed from him. blind freddy can see thats what is happening.

there's a bigger picture here than just a bloke who knows game plans.
 
Red&BlackBear

Red&BlackBear

First Grade
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5,799
T to the T said:
Feels similar to that at GWS, a name rather than what was needed. Sheedy's record at GWS for reference:

Played: 44, Won: 3, Lost: 41
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I have to disagree with you on this one. Re: GWS The early systems put in place helped that club and the progressive player roster evolve and mature to the point that eventually the club started competing for finals and being consistent.

Mal @ Bears is there for reasons beyond “game plans” and “strategies”. A sound technical coach not named Bellamy, or Cleary, or even Ciraldo at this stage will not attract the necessary talent required (in numbers). Be it for youth, journey men or out and out stars. NRL are banking on Mal’s status in the game to help attract players, staff and partners to build the club.

Is it a gamble? Of course it is, absolutely but in a wider lens panoramic view of what they’re trying to do with the challenges at hand, I think it’s a good and necessary gamble. It’s not like Mal hasn’t continued to be involved in the game. He works within and around the game every day in various capacities.

More crucial than his HC appointment will be the Assistants appointed around him (who will be the ones doing the heavy lifting on both game day and general day to day training preparations) and of course GM of Football (for salary cap management and recruitment oversight) and Football Development Manager (for pathways and developed talent identification).
 
BuffaloRules

BuffaloRules

Coach
Messages
16,676
T to the T said:
Feels similar to that at GWS, a name rather than what was needed. Sheedy's record at GWS for reference:

Played: 44, Won: 3, Lost: 41
Click to expand...

From memory GWS adopted an early strategy of building for the future through draft picks and young players rather than chasing established players … Im assuming they weren’t too concerned about struggling in the beginning when they knew the AFL was prepared to pump in hundreds of millions of extra dollars into them…

I suspect the Perth Bears won’t have that luxury and will be looking at having a competitive team from Day 1… although they might not be going onto grand finals relatively early in their existence like GWS did …
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
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1,713

Kangaroos in limbo amid Mal Meninga Perth Bears coaching twist​


Kye Ferreira
6 minutes ago•12:08 pm AEST


Mal Meninga is on the verge of becoming the inaugural head coach of the NRL's 18th team the Perth Bears, with a formal announcement expected soon.
The veteran tactician's appointment at the Bears is imminent, pending final agreement on contract terms, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

Attention is already shifting to what this means for the Australia Kangaroos.
According to the report, The NRL is opposed to Meninga coaching the national team in this year's end-of-season Ashes tour of England.

MORE NRL: Latest candidate to coach Perth Bears emerges

Instead, the league wants him to prioritise building the Perth Bears' roster ahead of their 2027 debut.
Player signings for the Bears cannot commence until November 1 - the same date as the second Test against England at Everton Stadium in Liverpool.
The third and final Test will be held a week later in Leeds, meaning Meninga would face a scheduling clash during a critical planning phase for the expansion club.
As a result, the NRL is preparing to appoint a new Kangaroos coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on home soil.

Front-runners for the role include former NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler, ex-Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith, and former Broncos coach Kevin Walters.
"I wouldn't consider it unless I was formally asked," Fittler said to SMH.
"I don't know if Mal has the job or that he can't do both."
Meninga has served as Australia coach since 2016, guiding the Kangaroos to multiple international titles.
 
SirPies&Beers

SirPies&Beers

Juniors
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1,713
www.smh.com.au

NRL to remove Meninga from Ashes series with Fittler, Smith and Walters in the frame

The NRL does not want Meninga to coach Australia at the end-of-season Ashes Series in England and instead want him to focus on building the Bears roster.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

NRL to remove Meninga from Ashes series with Fittler, Smith and Walters in the frame​

Michael Chammas

ByMichael Chammas​

May 28, 2025 — 8.02pm

​

The talk out of Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night was that Mal Meninga’s announcement as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears was imminent, pending an agreement on the contract value.
Attention will quickly turn to what that would mean for the Australian team and most of the 34 players who took to the field for game one of the series in Brisbane.

https://forums.leagueunlimited.com/javascript:null
Injured Maroons star Tamika Upton said Ali Brigginshaw will 'keep fighting for the jersey' amid speculation about her future.
This column has been told that the NRL does not want Meninga to coach Australia at the end-of-season Ashes series in England, instead wanting him to focus on building the Bears’ roster for their 2027 debut.
The Bears can’t sign a player until November 1 - that’s the same date as the second Test against England at Everton Stadium, a new 53,000-seat ground in Liverpool.

The third and final Test of the series will be played a week later in Leeds, meaning Meninga would be preoccupied during a busy period for the NRL’s newest franchise.
Instead, the NRL will move to appoint a new Australia coach with an eye on the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Mal Meninga’s days as Kangaroos coach may be coming to an end.

Mal Meninga’s days as Kangaroos coach may be coming to an end.Credit:NRL Photos
The three names currently in the mix are former NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler, ex-Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith and former Broncos coach Kevin Walters.
“I wouldn’t consider it unless I was formally asked,” Fittler said. “I don’t know if Mal has the job or that he can’t do both.”
 
Dragonwest

Dragonwest

Juniors
Messages
1,875
Meninga coached Canberra in 97-01 at a young age. With the changes in professionalism over a 30 year period how many assistants would he have actually had back then compare to 2027? He's learnt a lot across is QLD and Kangaroo's stints and brought in the right people around him
 
Perth Red

Perth Red

Post Whore
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73,109
RedVee said:
They talk like Meninga is known in Perth.
Is he?
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Not in mainstream at the moment, but he soon will be when they tag on immortal, Kangaroos coach etc.

I get his profile but still have grave concerns about his club coaching ability. Ok to say the assistants can do it all but that's not reality of a head coaches job. NRL will know though if his name does carry any weight with current players in regards to making Perth a more attractive club to join. Will be interesting to see.
 
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