NRL expansion teams in tug-of-war over young gun; Bears close in on Panthers star — Whispers
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A battle between the NRL’s two newest expansion teams has emerged for one of the best young playmakers who has yet to play a single minute of first-grade football.
A two-time international for Papua New Guinea, Gairo Voro has exploded onto the rugby league scene over the past couple of seasons and is now destined to make an NRL debut sooner rather than later.
Currently playing with the London Broncos in the second tier of the English Super League, the 22-year-old has caught the interest of both the Perth Bears and the PNG Chiefs as they look to build their foundation rosters, per
Code Sports.
According to the publication, it is also possible that he could spend one season at the Bears before making the switch to his home country when they enter the NRL in 2028 - a deal like Jonah Pezet has signed.
Likened to Jarome Luai due to his looks and playing ability as a five-eighth, the youngster scored seven tries in 19 QLD Cup appearances last season.
“Gairo has serious talent, he can really play,” Voro’s current London Broncos head coach Jason Demetriou told the publication.
“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.”
PERTH BEARS CLOSE IN ON PANTHERS PREMIERSHIP HERO
The Perth Bears are reportedly closing in on luring Panthers premiership hero Scott Sorensen to the foundation club on a two-year deal.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Bears have tabled a two-year contract offer for Sorensen, who is off-contract with the Panthers at the end of 2026.
The 32-year-old is in the final stages of agreeing to the two-year deal to relocate to the Bears for the back end of his career.
Sorensen was resigned to working on the wharves of Botany before the Panthers offered him a base-wage lifeline in 2021.
The veteran back-rower has now scored 14 tries in 139 NRL games for the Sharks, Raiders and Panthers, including four titles with Penrith and four Tests for the Kiwis.
Sorensen has been one of the cornerstones of the Panthers dynasty and is highly regarded by Ivan Cleary, but salary cap pressure is set to force him out of the club.
Sorensen has the chance to be a leader for NRL’s newest franchise, having held several conversations with Bears coach Mal Meninga.
Bears assistant coach Ben Gardiner worked with Sorensen at the Panthers and knows just what he can bring to a team.
Sorensen is set to inform the Bears of his final decision in the coming days.
The Bears are also in talks with two other players as they aim to continue the momentum of their roster build.
Sorensen’s signature would add to the Bears steady stream of signings so far that includes 13 players to date.
The likes of Nick Meaney (Storm), Tyran Wishart (Storm), Toby Sexton (Catalans), Liam Henry (Panthers), Josh Curran (Bulldogs) and Sean Russell (Eels) have committed to the club for 2027.
Bears push to sign four-time premiership winner with big offer
Mark Barnes
3 hours ago
The Perth Bears are pushing to secure another major signing, tabling a two-year deal to Scott Sorensen as their recruitment drive gathers momentum.
Sorensen, a four-time premiership winner with the
Penrith Panthers, is in the final stages of deciding whether to accept the offer and link with the NRL newcomers from 2027.
The 32-year-old is widely respected for his elite training standards, relentless work ethic and versatility, capable of playing on the edge or through the middle.
The deal is thought to be an upgrade on his Penrith contract, and at this stage of Sorensen's career the Panthers may struggle to match the deal on offer.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has previously described Sorensen as pivotal to the club’s historic run of four straight premierships, underlining the experience and winning pedigree he would bring to the expansion outfit.
Sorensen has also grown into a key member of the New Zealand Kiwis Test squad, further highlighting his value on the representative stage.
The Bears have reportedly made Sorensen a priority target, with coach Mal Meninga holding multiple conversations as he looks to add leadership and premiership experience to the club’s foundation roster.
Assistant coach Ben Gardiner is also well aware of Sorensen’s influence on and off the field, having previously worked with the hard-running forward during his time at the Panthers.
Landing Sorensen would mark another significant step in the Bears’ steady roster build ahead of their official launch next season.
The club has already secured a string of notable signings, including Nick Meaney, Tyran Wishart, Toby Sexton, Liam Henry, Josh Curran and Sean Russell among 13 additions so far.
It is understood the Bears remain in advanced talks with at least two other players as they continue to build momentum in the player market.
Their aggressive recruitment strategy comes as the competition landscape prepares to shift again with the arrival of the PNG Chiefs, who are expected to enter the market armed with significant financial incentives ahead of their planned 2028 entry.
Sorensen is expected to inform the Bears of his decision in the coming days as the expansion club eyes another statement signing.
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