WA BEARS

[Perth Red]

Well the gag order has now passed on the bid teams so it will be interesting what will come out over the next few days now that all of the bids have been officially submitted with the NRL.

Wouldn’t be so sure. Only media articles have made that assumption. The nda was in place during the brisbane bidding until a winner was announced.

 

[Nuke]

Bears NSW Cup Captain Kurt De Luis formerly with Manly plays prop not hooker, his junior club is the South Perth Lions.

The WC Pirates players also were not treated like NRL players by the public! Yes, sports mad people in WA did initially hear about the Pirates when launched / re-branded, but treated like NRL players they were not.

 

[Centy Coast]

Wouldn’t be so sure. Only media articles have made that assumption. The nda was in place during the brisbane bidding until a winner was announced.

Okay I didn’t know that, I suppose we will just have to wait and see then.

 

[Foreign Legion]

 

[Wb1234]

Miami vice vibes

 

[BuffaloRules]

anyone able to access the article?

WA and Bears submit NRL bid

The submission deadline for National Rugby League expansion bids closes on Wednesday, with a Western Australia-backed consortium in the mix to become the league's 18th franchise in 2027.

www.businessnews.com.au

Im sure there is a Business News subscriber lurking here .. lol

 

[King-Gutho94]

Pretty funny the afl moved the west coast eagles game so it was on at the same time as the dolphins game

They really aren’t used to playing second fiddle to rugby league

Lowest home crowd for West Coast of the season that night as well haha.

 

[Centy Coast]

I like this logo without the shield, maybe with yellow on the left side of face.

 

[Vlad59]

I like this logo without the shield, maybe with yellow on the left side of face.

View attachment 92455

If you really want WA to embrace this club then you want more yellow and get rid of those years as they mean nothing to the people of Perth. Alternatively If you are really serious about this version then get rid of the yellow, get rid of the word ‘western’ and just call them the North Sydney Bears ffs

 

[final say]

I like this logo without the shield, maybe with yellow on the left side of face.

View attachment 92455

That's pretty dam good!
Actually kinda what it should be tbh.
I love the years on both sides!

 

[BuffaloRules]

If you really want WA to embrace this club then you want more yellow and get rid of those years as they mean nothing to the people of Perth. Alternatively If you are really serious about this version then get rid of the yellow, get rid of the word ‘western’ and just call them the North Sydney Bears ffs

Yeah ..get rid of the years on the logo …dumb idea..

Some of these Nth Sydney people are under the mistaken impression that this is a 50/50 deal

 

[Wb1234]

How long are people going or keep crying about the norths connection? Lol

 

[BuffaloRules]

How long are people going or keep crying about the norths connection? Lol

a mascot name and one game a year whilst the other side has 100% ownership

its more of an association

 

[Wb1234]

CODE Sports

CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[Vlad59]

How long are people going or keep crying about the norths connection? Lol

Sydney centric as ever.

 

[Wb1234]

Payne Haas as the marquee man, skipper Jamal Fogarty to call the shots, and a former Eel holding clipboard.

The Western Bears are here, and clubs are on notice as their top players are set to be raided to kickstart the 18th NRL franchise and it’s time to look at how the new team could look.

With the Bears confirmed to join the competition in 2027, there’s no escaping the impending raid on the current 17 teams.

The Dolphins laid out a blueprint last season on what works and what doesn’t when becoming the newest NRL club, which will be useful for the Western Australia-based side.

Guided by recruitment guru Peter Parr, the Dolphins successfully lured big names and up-and-coming stars, finding relative success in their first two years in the competition.

It seems the Bears have their work cut out for them … right?

The first thing the Bears need to do is secure their coach, and the sooner they sign Brad Arthur, the better their first year will be.

The current Leeds and former Parramatta coach has unmatched recruitment drawing power, making him a prime candidate for the role.

Although his time at Parramatta ended on a sour note, his signing could attract a few young Eels stars to follow him.

Next, the team needs a marquee signing, and lucky for them, Haas is off contract at the end of 2026.

While you don’t typically build a team around a front rower, Haas is the exception.

His work ethic and star power would be pivotal for this side. He knows how to win big games and lead by example which is key for early success.

Averaging the third-most run metres and ranking in the top-five for tackles at the Broncos, Haas has the potential to become the highest-paid forward with a move to Perth.

Another factor that could benefit the Bears if Arthur is announced as coach is an influx of Super League players returning to Australia.

Arthur is coaching former premiership winner Paul Momirovski, who will be off contract in the UK at the end of the 2026 season.

Alongside him, exiled players Matt Dufty and Brodie Croft could find their way back into the NRL if they continue their solid form in the English competition.

This masthead has reviewed all the players available for the Bears’ first year in the competition and put together their best 17.

--

Tl;Dr:

1. Dufty
2. Arthars
3. Penisini
4. Momirovski
5. S. Katoa
6. Wishart
7. Fogarty
8. Haas
9. F. Lussick
10. D. Saifiti
11. Matterson
12. S. Wong
13. Guymer
14. Oloapu
15. Lawrie
16. Fermor
17. Keppie

Coach: Brad Arthur

 

[Vlad59]

That's pretty dam good!
Actually kinda what it should be tbh.
I love the years on both sides!

Yeah. It’s like a homophobic version of a bear. That’d suit you.

 

[BuffaloRules]

CODE Sports

CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

Read this article earlier ..

A make believe team for 2027

 

[Bomboss]

Threw the details into an AI app for a bit of fun. I didn’t really like any of them as they’ve gone too modern but these were a few of the better ones

 

[Perth Red]

Players off contract in 2026 & 2027

Players Off Contract 2026 – By Position

A complete list of NRL players off contract in 2026 by playing position.

www.zerotackle.com

Players Off Contract 2027 – By Position

A complete list of NRL players off contract in 2027 by playing position.

www.zerotackle.com