Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[bad boy bubby]

I'd disagree with that. He's a damaging ball carrier but making him defend in the middle will blunt that instrument.
Play him in the middle and say goodbye to those damaging carries coming out of trouble.

If it ain't broke!!

You're allowed to disagree, but you'd still be wrong.
He's a fill in centre at best these days, pretty terrible defensively there.
All his damage is done in the middle.

 

[Special K]

When Sif comes on he doesn't come on for Nikora or Wilton if we are fully fit. He plays 13/back up prop. He kills it. We send him out wide unfairly when injury strikes. A 6 man bench would totally change how Sifa developed. I don't think for the better tbh. He is probably someone who would have been judged as a kid out wide or the middle. He can do both really well, getting better at one now. He is who he is now and is great.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

‘Definitely entertaining it’: Bears closing in on biggest coup yet — Transfer Whispers

‘Definitely entertaining it’: Bears closing in on biggest coup yet — Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

Latest Bears target on the brink of lucrative deal

'I'm definitely entertaining the deal'

www.nine.com.au

 

[Wb1234]

I'd disagree with that. He's a damaging ball carrier but making him defend in the middle will blunt that instrument.
Play him in the middle and say goodbye to those damaging carries coming out of trouble.

If it ain't broke!!

Horses for courses

Perth don’t have a pack like Cronulla

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Siosifa Talakai confirms Sharks departure likely, new club named

The forward is off-contract at the end of 2026.

www.zerotackle.com

London Broncos' Papua New Guinean star at heart of NRL bidding war - Serious About Rugby League

One of London Broncos' Papua New Guinean stars is reportedly hot property with two NRL clubs interested in his services.

www.seriousaboutrl.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

McInnes

‘I’ll play anywhere’: Sharks star open to NRL switch as future hangs in the balance

‘I’ll play anywhere’: Sharks star open to NRL switch as future hangs in the balance

www.foxsports.com.au

An Origin representative for the NSW Blues, he is aware that his time in the Shire may come to a close at the end of this season and although he is keen to remain at the club, he is open to playing for any NRL team, including the Perth Bears.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Talakai

Latest Bears target on the brink of lucrative deal

'I'm definitely entertaining the deal'

www.nine.com.au

Sorensen

Perth Bears make a move on the Penrith 'Godfather'

The former assistant coach and second rower spent two seasons together.

www.zerotackle.com

McInnes

‘I’ll play anywhere’: Sharks star open to NRL switch as future hangs in the balance

‘I’ll play anywhere’: Sharks star open to NRL switch as future hangs in the balance

www.foxsports.com.au

If Bears can nab these 3. What a get it would be.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Sharks' former Origin representative set to join Bears​

Mark Barnes

9 minutes ago

The Perth Bears are closing in on a landmark signing as Siosifa Talakai weighs up a three-year deal that would see him become one of the foundation faces of the new franchise.

The State of Origin representative has indicated he is leaning towards a move west, with a final decision expected in the coming days following an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.

For Talakai, the opportunity is about more than football, with the 28-year-old and his partner recently welcoming their fourth child and carefully considering what the next chapter looks like for their family.

Perth also holds deep personal significance for Talakai, having been the venue of his NRL debut with the South

“It’s something my partner and I have been talking about, and we know it’s a great opportunity – why wouldn’t you want to go over there and be a founding member as well,” Talakai said.

He conceded remaining at the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks may prove difficult given the club’s roster management, despite his strong attachment to the Shire.

“If I had the opportunity to stay, I would, but it’s not about me any more – it’s about what’s best for me, my partner and my family,” Talakai explained.

Talakai also made it clear he does not want to stand in the way of younger players pushing through at Cronulla, and with the Sharks recently re-signing young forward Jesse Colquhoun through 2030, there is no shortage of talent coming through.

While Talakai has been an important part of the Sharks for several seasons, his role at the club has gradually reduced.

He began as a barnstorming centre before shifting into a starting edge back-row role, and over the past two seasons has been used primarily off the bench as a middle forward and utility option for the backline.

Despite remaining part of coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s rotation, 2025 saw Talakai play the fewest minutes of his career since establishing himself in the NRL, averaging just 39 minutes per game.

Despite the decline in role in the Shire, at just 28 years of age he could easily command a starting position and a larger workload at another club, something the Bears clearly believe.

Bears coach Mal Meninga has long admired Talakai’s versatility, although reports suggest the plan would be for him to primarily bolster the middle rotation.

Meninga has emphasised to all targets that relocating to Perth is a lifestyle decision as much as a football one, given the distance from rugby league’s traditional heartland.

Capable of playing in the middle, on an edge or in the centres, Talakai’s power and leg speed have made him one of the competition’s most damaging utility forwards, and it would not be surprising to see other clubs enter the race for his services.

The Bears have already secured key talent ahead of their inaugural campaign, including Toby Sexton, currently with the Catalans Dragons, Melbourne pair Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney, as well as Canterbury forward Josh Curran.

Penrith premiership winner Scott Sorensen has also been linked as the club continues to shape its roster for its historic entry into the competition.

The Bears may simply have put forward an offer too strong for Talakai to refuse, and at this stage it appears substantial enough not only to challenge Cronulla’s hopes of retaining him but also to ward off interest from rival clubs.

 

[bad boy bubby]

Siosifa Talakai confirms Sharks departure likely, new club named

The forward is off-contract at the end of 2026.

www.zerotackle.com

London Broncos' Papua New Guinean star at heart of NRL bidding war - Serious About Rugby League

One of London Broncos' Papua New Guinean stars is reportedly hot property with two NRL clubs interested in his services.

www.seriousaboutrl.com

Be careful with those Zero Tackle articles mate. Nothing is "confirmed" even though it does look likely by that one article by the SMH.
For anything Sharks related watch out for Dave Riccio articles. He is the one who gets the first hand info from Cronulla.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Be careful with those Zero Tackle articles mate. Nothing is "confirmed" even though it does look likely by that one article by the SMH.
For anything Sharks related watch out for Dave Riccio articles. He is the one who gets the first hand info from Cronulla.

true but i didn't say it was confirmed. i've got the smh and daily telegraph links for same story in previous pages.
this one was just the easiest to re-quote in post i made saying that if bears can nab those 3 what a get it would be.

what you thinking regarding talakai, mcinnes, kennedy and rudolf?
whats ya gut feel?

 

[bad boy bubby]

what you thinking regarding talakai, mcinnes, kennedy and rudolf?
whats ya gut feel?

Add Uele in there too.
I think the Sharks have prioritised players, added in to what they can actually afford to pay them.
In Talakais case, I reckon the Sharks have given him an offer and Perth have given him a bigger offer. If they regard Sifa as a high priority they may come back with another offer, or maybe they can't at all because Perths offer is just too good (this is what I think is happening, I don't know)

I think McInnes is angling a move to PNG and the extra cash for his last contract. He may go a season somewhere else in between, not sure.

Kennedy, Rudolf and Uele I feel are all in the mix to get another contract at the Sharks. Their futures could very well depend on what happens in the first 10 weeks of the competition.
I don't have any Intel on any of these players situations. I did with Colquhoun.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Add Uele in there too.
I think the Sharks have prioritised players, added in to what they can actually afford to pay them.
In Talakais case, I reckon the Sharks have given him an offer and Perth have given him a bigger offer. If they regard Sifa as a high priority they may come back with another offer, or maybe they can't at all because Perths offer is just too good (this is what I think is happening, I don't know)

I think McInnes is angling a move to PNG and the extra cash for his last contract. He may go a season somewhere else in between, not sure.

Kennedy, Rudolf and Uele I feel are all in the mix to get another contract at the Sharks. Their futures could very well depend on what happens in the first 10 weeks of the competition.
I don't have any Intel on any of these players situations. I did with Colquhoun.

great feedback though mate,
thanks for taking the time to post it.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Perth Bears on cusp of signing first Origin player and another star from Panthers

The Bears are on the verge of completing two of their most important moves to date. More here.

au.news.yahoo.com

Perth Bears on cusp of signing first State of Origin player and another star from Panthers​

Mal Meninga's men are stepping up their recruitment drive before they enter the NRL next year.​

Cronulla's Siosifa Talakai admits he's "definitely entertaining" the prospect of joining the Perth Bears after being offered a three-year deal to join the NRL's newest team next season. The former NSW Origin star would be the arguably the biggest acquisition to date for Mal Meninga's Bears, who are also edging closer to landing Penrith's four-time premiership winner Scott Sorensen.

Talakai is off contract at the end of the season and would ideally love to stay at Cronulla, but accepts that a new deal with the club appears unlikely. And the Sharks wrecking ball suggested that the three-year offer tabled to him by Meninga's side could be too hard to turn down for the 28-year-old and his family.

“I’m definitely entertaining the Perth deal,” Talakai told The Sydney Morning Herald. “If I had the opportunity to stay, I would, but it’s not about me any more. It’s about what’s best for me, my partner and my family.

“When I’ve had to think about the contract situation, and when going back and forth with my manager and partner, and looking back through the years, it kind of brought me to tears. Even speaking now, I feel like I’m getting emotional. This place (Cronulla) gave me everything I’ve got now and gave me a crack when nobody else did."

Talakai is yet to fly over to Perth to meet with Meninga and Bears officials, but says the WA capital holds a special place in his heart. It's where the 28-year-old made his NRL debut with Souths in 2016 and also played his first Origin game for the Blues in 2022.

If the Bears can land Talakai's signature he'd be the first Origin player on their maiden NRL roster for 2027. And the versatile Sharks star would offer Meninga options in both his outside backs and edge forward playing stocks.

Perth Bears close in on second star from Penrith Panthers​

In a potential double boost for the Bears, Penrith workhorse Sorensen is also reportedly on the cusp of signing a two-year deal with Perth. The Bears have already signed Panthers teammate Liam Henry to a four-year deal from 2027, and Sorensen could join him in what would be a reunion with former Penrith assistant Ben Gardiner, who will assume the same role under Meninga.

Gardiner has made no secret of tying to lure Sorensen west after hailing his work ethic and leadership skills. "I had a great relationship with him at Penrith,” Gardiner said on SEN radio. "I learnt a lot about him. He's a great talker; he's a great person to have around the club. A real leader for young guys.

"We used to call him the godfather of the left edge. He's a guy that any club would want to have in and around (it). Hopefully, along the way, Perth are lucky enough to have a conversation with Scott to make that happen."

Perth's maiden NRL roster is taking shape with Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart (both Melbourne), Sean Russell (Parramatta), Josh Curran (Canterbury) and Chris Vea'ila (Cronulla) all signing on. They've also snared the likes of James McDonnell, Harry Newman, Luke Smith, Toby Sexton, Emarly Bitungane and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui from Super League clubs.

 

[bad boy bubby]

great feedback though mate,
thanks for taking the time to post it.

I just read an article where Rudolf wants to be the first PNG signing, so there ya go.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Brodie Jones?

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Perth Bears ramp up interest in Leeds Rhinos star – Total Rugby League

www.totalrl.com

PERTH BEARS have ramped up their interest in Leeds Rhinos star Mikolaj Oledzki.
That’s according to The Mole at the Wide World of Sports who has claimed that the Bears’ interest in Oledzki has only increased, despite the hulking forward dismissing the reports earlier in the year.

Oledzki said: “I’ll pour a bit of cold water over it because I’m happy at Leeds and excited for the season ahead.”
However, with Perth eyeing up the England international for 2027, Oledzki didn’t address his future beyond the end of 2026.
That being said, 2027 will see the 27-year-old bring up a ten-year spell with the Rhinos.

London Broncos star Gairo Voro in demand – Total Rugby League

www.totalrl.com

LONDON BRONCOS star Gairo Voro is in demand with NRL clubs, according to The Australian.
Those two clubs will be the newest expansion kids on the block, Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs.

The Bears will enter the NRL in 2027, with the Chief joining in 2028 and it’s fair to say that the former has already undergone an aggressive recruitment drive under new head coach Mal Meninga.
London stars Emarly Bitungane and Luke Smith have already signed for Perth for their inaugural campaign, and the Chiefs are now scouring the market for stars to join their franchise.
With Broncos boss Jason Demetriou also heading up the PNG national side, a whole host of Kumuls stars have made their way to the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
And Demetriou believes that Voro has an NRL future.
Demetriou told The Australian: “Gairo has serious talent, he can really play.”
“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.”

https://www.racingandsports.com.au/news/sports/rugby-league/2026-02-18/talakai-weighing-perth-bears-move-as-roster-builds/709420

 

[Centy Coast]

true but i didn't say it was confirmed. i've got the smh and daily telegraph links for same story in previous pages.
this one was just the easiest to re-quote in post i made saying that if bears can nab those 3 what a get it would be.

what you thinking regarding talakai, mcinnes, kennedy and rudolf?
whats ya gut feel?

Winger Sione Katoa is another Shark who keeps getting mentioned, Ronaldo Mulitalo has one wing spot sewn up when he is fully fit and if you had to choose between Sione and Sam Stonestreet you’d have to say that the Sharks would go with Stonestreet due to his age, Siones younger brother Tui has been with the North Sydney Bears for the last four years.

 

[Centy Coast]

Brodie Jones?
View attachment 109758

Everybody is linked to the Bears, have these players really been approached or are they just trying to up their value on the open market ?, that is the question.

 

[Centy Coast]

I just read an article where Rudolf wants to be the first PNG signing, so there ya go.

I’m pretty sure that he was taking the piss, there was an article on Tuesday linking Cam McInnes to PNG and testerday it was the Perth Bears again.
I hope that the Perth Bears get them both, McInnes would make a great Captain and Rudolf would be great for morale.
It’s going to be a very busy 6 months.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Cronulla's Siosifa Talakai 'definitely entertaining' Perth Bears offer | Flashscore.com

Mal Meninga's Perth Bears have offered Sharks gun Siosifa Talakai a three-year contract beginning in 2027 and Talakai is not hiding his careful consideration.

www.flashscore.com