Bears Confirmed & Rumoured Signings

[SirPies&Beers]

Surprise Broncos deal opens door for Perth Bears move​

Peter Maniaty
15 hours ago5:01 pm AEST

With the Perth Bears entering the NRL competition in 2027, it’s a given the new club will be extremely active in the contract market from November 1 this year, so a one-year extension makes complete sense for a player like Hetherington.
Speaking to The Courier Mail, Hetherington’s manager Chris Haddad confirmed they were delighted with a short-term deal.
MORE: Michael Maguire delivers update following mid-season ‘spine surgery’
“It’s a great result,” Haddad explained.
“Kobe is happy at the Broncos, so we were happy to extend for one year and we’ll see what happens after that.”
Known for his power, passion and tireless work ethic, Hetherington will hold plenty of appeal for the Perth Bears, particularly based on the model so successfully used by the Dolphins ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2023.
Since being graded by the Broncos in 2021, the 26-year-old has proven to be a key member of the Brisbane squad under both current head coach Michael Maguire and also his predecessor, Kevin Walters.
The son of former Queensland and Australian hooker Jason Hetherington, Kobe has featured in all 17 games for the Broncos in the 2025 season, starting in 13.
Hetherington currently sits on 95 NRL games and, injuries aside, should reach his 100-game milestone before the 2025 final series.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

‘Made a grave error’: Why $1m feeding frenzy could see Sharks lose the ‘form player’ of NRL

‘Made a grave error’: Why $1m feeding frenzy could see Sharks lose the ‘form player’ of NRL

www.foxsports.com.au

https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/nrl/sharks-in-danger-as-bears-chase-brailey/video/a1a901367fecc25b0e3cc55e54c1a49b

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Bears 'reality' sets in amid contract standoff

Phil Gould admits the looming threat of the Perth Bears could have an impact on players such as Blayke Brailey.

www.watoday.com.au

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Expansion 'reality' sets in as Sharks gun weighs up future

'Plenty of bargaining power'

www.nine.com.au

Sharks 'error' that could see Blayke Brailey join QLD Origin players at rival club

The star-studded trio have been linked with mega-money switches to a rival club. More here.

au.news.yahoo.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Bears boss tackles past and present

Anthony De Ceglie has many obstacles to overcome to build a rugby league franchise from scratch.

www.businessnews.com.au

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Panthers deny interest in two rival players as premiership-winner's early exit rejected

The NRL champion appears set to remain at the club. Find out more here.

au.news.yahoo.com

Garner may have also agreed to see out his contract with the Panthers because the Perth Bears enter the competition in 2027. A number of players - including Melbourne star Ryan Papenhuyzen and Broncos forward Kobe Hetherington - have signed short-term deals with clubs potentially with an eye on the Bears coming into the competition and offering fresh contracts.

 

[Perth Red]

Bears boss tackles past and present

Anthony De Ceglie has many obstacles to overcome to build a rugby league franchise from scratch.

www.businessnews.com.au

anyone got access? posting pay walled links isnt helpful!

 

[carinashark]

I gave this a listen, fullback Connor Tracey (Bulldogs 2026) is available, Townsend liked Will Kennedy (Sharks 2025).
For 5/8 I’d go for Tyran Wishart (Storm 2025), Chad also liked Wishart, Wishart can cover hooker and many other positions as well..
At Halfback Chad went Jahrome Hughes (Storm 2026) were as I’d settle for either Luke Metcalf (Warriors 2026) or Jayden Campbell (Titans 2026).
Finally at hooker Chad said he would settle for three lower hookers whereas I’d go either Blayke Brailey (Sharks 2026) or Billy Walters (Broncos 2026).
I’d save my big salary cap money for both Payne Haas (Broncos 2026) and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans 2025).

Would that be Luke Metcalf (local junior) we let go. Unwanted by the coaching staff?

 

[Perth Red]

Knights boss Peter Parr admits Newcastle might struggle to keep hold of Kalyn Ponga long-term and says he will 'no doubt' be a target of Mal Meninga's Perth Bears, who enter the NRL in 2027. Ponga is contracted to the Knights until the end of 2027 and recently broke his silence to commit his immediate future to the club, amid widespread reports the Origin star was considering a switch to rugby union.

The sidelined Newcastle skipper said he is 'excited' by what the future looks like at the Knights, with the likes of Eels playmaker Dylan Brown arriving next year on a lucrative 10-year deal. "Committed to the end of 2027. Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me," Ponga posted on social media.
“There’s no doubt with the introduction of the new teams that Kalyn would be a target, especially for a Perth team,” Parr told News Corp. “He would be a great marquee signing for a new franchise, but I don’t know what the future holds. The person who would have a major say in whether Kalyn left early would be me and that won’t be happening. He is here for the next two years."

As Parr alluded to, Newcastle would have to release Ponga from the final year of his deal in 2027 in order for him to join the Bears when they come into the NRL that year. While the Knights seem unwilling to entertain that idea, it would leave Perth and PNG primed to make a big-money play for Ponga from 2028 onwards.

Knights boss makes admission about losing Kalyn Ponga amid links to Meninga's Bears

Newcastle could find it hard to keep hold of their superstar fullback. Details here.

au.news.yahoo.com

 

[BuffaloRules]

Perths offer expected to be “in excess of $1.5m a year “…lol

think I would prefer old man Munster for cheaper than that

 

[Centy Coast]

I’d prefer to offer good money to a player like Luke Metcalf or Jayden Campbell at halfback and a gutsy fullback like Connor Tracey and have a strong forward base around players like Tino and Payne Haas.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

MSN

Hughes re-signs as Munster twist could prevent another star leaving Storm early

Cameron Munster's next decision could send shockwaves through the NRL. Find out more here.

au.news.yahoo.com

‘Easy to take money’: Hughes reveals why he said no to $1.5m mega-contract to stay with Storm

‘Easy to take money’: Hughes reveals why he said no to $1.5m mega-contract to stay with Storm

www.foxsports.com.au

Ex-Super League pair Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson set for contract talks to warn off Perth Bears – Total Rugby League

www.totalrl.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

 

[SirPies&Beers]

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Bears want Munster as marquee signing – and he’s ‘open’ to move​

July 28, 2025

By Isaac McIntyre

Cameron Munster is shaping as the first marquee signing for the Perth Bears expansion team, with Munster reportedly “open” to a west coast switch once the eighteenth team joins the competition.​

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The Bears’ inaugural coach, Mal Meninga, has been hard at work trying to figure out his Bears roster for 2027, and three names have emerged: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Blayke Brailey, and Munster.
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Munster is signed with Melbourne through to the end of 2027. Still, The Sporting Base understands the southern organisation is open to letting him leave a season early to take up a leading role at the 18th team — a courtesy they’d only give to the Bears, as they understand how hard it can be to break into AFL heartland with a rugby league venture.
The 30-year-old is reportedly open to the move too, according to veteran journo Paul Kent on YouTube. The Queensland captain is interested in a new challenge before calling it in; the big pay packet late on in his career wouldn’t hurt either.
“Here’s one for you, they’ve already made approaches to Cameron Munster,” Kent said about Perth on his podcast.

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“Now obviously he’s a big name at Melbourne, and look, it’s very, very early days, let me stress. But Cameron Munster is more than open to moving to Perth. The club, I’m led to believe, the Storm have spoken to him about that.
“They’ve settled on the position that they will release him, but only to join Perth.”
This Base reporter has heard Perth has around $1.5 million squared away for their marquee signings, with the expansion club willing to back-load that to as much as $2 million to assure Meninga goes into the 2027 season and the late 2020s with star-power across the park.
With the NRL broadcast deal hiking as the competition goes to 18, then eventually 19 and 20 teams, marquee men like halfbacks and five-eighths stand to earn huge cash at NRL teams that need to lure them in. Munster would likely be relying on that to build a late-on kitty that would stand him in good stead beyond his playing career.
Munster has plenty of time to decide yet, and is still contracted with the Storm in 2027 either way.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

raiders said trey mooney & chevy stewart can look elsewhere.

pezet and faalogo have get out clauses should hughes & papenhuyzen re-sign for storm.

braith anasta manages both pezet and munster.

j campbell & jolliffe allegedly told they can look elsewere by titans.

fermor apparently looking to get out of titans.

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Manly in danger of losing Reuben Garrick as NRL club circles

He is a former Dally M Winger of the Year.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[SirPies&Beers]

Reuben Garrick ‘will test the market’ as contract deadline looms​

Grace Robbie
1 hour ago11:03 am AEST


Manly Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick is reportedly poised to enter the open market later this year, as the club has yet to offer him a formal contract extension beyond his current deal.
Eligible to negotiate with other teams from November 1, the absence of an extension offer has raised questions about Garrick’s future at the club he has called home since his 2019 debut.
Up Next - Two Eagles pushing for roster spots make good impressions early at training camp


The 28-year-old has established himself as a proven performer for the club, having played over 150 games for Manly and scored more than 1,300 points.
Currently under contract until the end of 2026, Reuben Garrick’s manager, David Riolo, confirmed that negotiations with Manly over a contract extension have yet to produce an agreement.
MORE: Manly confirm Haumole Olakau’atu’s devastating shoulder injury
“Reuben loves it at Manly, but we haven't been able to reach an agreement yet," Riolo told the Wide World of Sports.
“Unless things change, he will test the market in November. It's not that far away.”
According to Wide World of Sports, the Perth Bears have emerged as frontrunners to sign the star winger and centre, with Garrick firmly “in the sights” of the club as they look to build their inaugural squad for the 2027 season.
The Sea Eagles face a crucial period ahead in retaining their key talent.
Alongside Reuben Garrick, several important players, including seasoned forward Nathan Brown, hooker Jake Simpkin, and the club’s cornerstone brothers, Jake and Tom Trbojevic, will be eligible to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 if new contracts are not secured.

 

[Perth Red]

With Hughes resigning Pezet becomes a free agent and would be available. Anasta reckons hes had no conversation with perth re Munster. But then he would say that lol

 

[SirPies&Beers]

'Have to go': Greg Inglis situation haunting Storm as Cam Munster exit takes twist

The Melbourne Storm's salary cap pressure saw one of their star's leave in 2011. Find out more here.

au.news.yahoo.com