With the Perth Bears given the green light to enter into the NRL in what is likely to be the 2027 season, lets have a look at some of the potential players the Bears may look at to build their inaugural team around.
Keep in mind the Bears will have the full salary cap available to spend. Anyone who is close to the end of their contract at the end of the 2026 season will be willing to listen to what the Perth Bears have to offer.
In putting together this list of players I am looking to build a solid lineup that will get better over the medium term. When I list these players I don’t expect to get ALL of them, I am just looking at the sort of players I would target for various reasons.
Let’s have some fun!
Lachlan Galvin
Would he be willing to move out of Sydney to the over side of the continent for a big payday? Who knows? He would be a very big signing for the young club, and a player they could look to build around. He would be the face of the new franchise, and that might be worth it alone for the Perth Bears.
Isaiya Katoa
The big question would be whether or not Katoa would be willing to go to a second expansion club to build from scratch. Unlike his move from the Panthers to the Dolphins though, this time the Perth Bears could make Katoa a huge offer and KNOW he is not only a genuine first grade halfback, but a player who is working his way towards being one of the best halfbacks in the game. He would be a great player to build around, but it will come at a cost!
Sualauvi Faalogo
At some point Sualauvi Faalogo will want to be the first grade fullback of an NRL team, and not just the Melbourne Storms understudy. He has an amazing amount of talent and can light a game up out of no where, and you get the feeling he is a bit wasted at the Storm not being in a fullback role.
Briton Nikora
Just a very solid, professional player who turns up every week and plays great footy. Every expansion club needs players like Nikore to set the standards for day one and lead the way in what it means to be a professional footballer.
Payne Hass
There are always whispers that Hass may be looking to leave the Broncos but the club always finds a way to put those fires out. Hass would need a life changing amount for money to move away from his family in Brisbane but the Perth Bears could offer that deal if they wanted to make him the foundation superstar of the club.
Liam Henry
A multiple time Premiership winner at the Penrith Panthers who is still very young for a front rower. Between his winning experience, the standards he is use to being around which are extremely high, his young age and the fact the best years of his career are still ahead of him, he would be a very handy signing for the Perth Bears.
Reuben Garrick
A little like Briton Nikora, he is a very good player who just plays very solid footy week in, week out. He would help establish professional standards at the club from day one, he has versatility across the outside backs, and his goal kicking is a bonus.
