Perth Officially Confirmed to Join NRL in 2027 or 2028

[JamesRustle]

this makes total sense and puts PNG on the front foot - NRL needs PNG to be successful before the Bears

Perth should be going after Michael Hagan

Burgess, Kevvy or Arthur are poor options

They really need the Walker brothers... their creativity and innovation would draw the crowds in for sure. Sign the son/nephew up too.

 

[JamesRustle]

Mal needs to take the PNG job. Man is a God up there.

I totally agree, but unfortunately, with the PNG funding arrangement, any head position with that team is basically a political appointment.... and Mal can't cope with that.

 

[Wb1234]

Arthur would still be fav imo for Perth bears

Sam burgess maybe as his assistant

No way the nrl is that dumb to put an u proven coach in such a key club at inception

 

[macavity]

I will be a member, but will continue to be a member of Newcastle. I'm a devoted Novocastrian. Red and blue, through and through. But Perth Bears will be my 2nd team, for sure. I've been in Perth since I was a toddler, and was here in the Western Reds heyday. I'll be going for Perth every day of the year except when they play the Knights.

I hate myself too

 

[taipan]

how good is it that not only Bears Perth is a gay club, but Perth Pumas (original bid name for Reds) was a swingers club...

Plenty of bang for your buck.

 

[Wb1234]

Perth beers

 

[colly]

Perth beers

It's your shout!

 

[Wb1234]

This has train wreck written all over it

 

[titoelcolombiano]

This has train wreck written all over it

Absolutely - what a disaster

 

[Wb1234]

This has train wreck written all over it

Sydney Roosters assistant coach Matt King has been sounded out about joining Mal Meninga’s coaching staff should he accept the inaugural job at the Perth Bears.

King, in camp with the NSW Blues as an assistant to Laurie Daley, has been earmarked by good judges as a future NRL coach.

He may get the chance to do that should Meninga be formally appointed as the inaugural coach of the Bears and King accept a position on his staff, potentially with a view to becoming his successor down the track.

This masthead understands that the NRL is hopeful of making a formal announcement on the Perth Bears’ inaugural coach at the end of this week, although it is believed discussions are still ongoing with the candidates.

Meninga has emerged as the preferred option after indicating his interest in taking charge of the club when it enters the premiership in 2027.

A rugby league legend who is one of the game’s Immortals, Meninga was recently interviewed along with former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur and South Sydney legend Sam Burgess.

It is understood talks have advanced to the point of discussing financial terms and potential members of his coach staff.

King has one of the best resumes of any assistant coach in the game, having been part of the Roosters since 2017.

He was also a member of Michael Maguire’s staff with NSW last year as they secured a series win over Queensland.

The Roosters are believed to be aware of interest from the Bears. King admitted at the weekend that he was now at a point in his career where he would consider becoming a head coach should the right position become available.“

I am daydreaming about it more and more,” King told Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.

“A couple of years ago I was staunch - I was like no way I would ever do that. I turn 45 this year, I have done a big old apprenticeship.

“The love and joy the game gives me, I love it mate. To think that at some stage I might one the head coach of a footy program at a club that means something to me - I don’t want to be that coach that is interviewing for absolutely every club that pops up.

“To look at any club it has to be the right fit for me and my family. I will be patient, I will hold my cool and if the right opportunity pops up at the right club and it feels right, in all honesty I will probably have a crack at it.”

 

[RedVee]

I’d have thought that Meninga would want Hagan as his assistant

 

[Last Week]

What happened to Josh Hannay? He was supposedly neck and neck with Ryles in terms of the next generation of head coaches and he hasn't been mentioned at all as an assistant, heir, anything.

 

[sportsnut]

Huge

 

[Wb1234]

 

[Cactus]

Going by the 2 photos there Sam looks pretty pissed off with this news and Mal has that look of perplexed disbelief at his newly found stroke of good fortune.

 

[Dogs Of War]

What happened to Josh Hannay? He was supposedly neck and neck with Ryles in terms of the next generation of head coaches and he hasn't been mentioned at all as an assistant, heir, anything.

Cause Josh doesn't have the face for heading the team. Just get one look at his teeth. Though maybe the NRL could throw some money that way to fix them up.

 

[Wb1234]

wtf is Pvl thinking

Guess the kangaroos can get a decent coach now

 

[Perth Red]

wtf is Pvl thinking

Guess the kangaroos can get a decent coach now

Going to be a toothless board, CEO already appointed, coach already appointed, any decison they make can be overturned by the ARLC. Hmmm. Governance anyone?

 

[Bobby DIGital]

I'm happy for Big Mal. I knew he was keen for one of the expansion team jobs when I saw him in discussion with David Moffett and the Kea crew in Chch last year.

 

[Perth Red]

I'm happy for Big Mal. I knew he was keen for one of the expansion team jobs when I saw him in discussion with David Moffett and the Kea crew in Chch last year.

He certainly brings the name and respect. Big question over clubland coaching ability though. If I was recruiting I'd put Arthur under him or Holbrook. Someone with recent first grade head coach experience. Same way they did with Bennett and Woolf at Dolphins.