Concerns have been raised that player agents are using the imminent arrival of the Perth Bears to drive hardball negotiations with existing NRL clubs.
Speaking on Freddy and the Eighth, Perth Bears director and Nine journalist James Bracey acknowledged the challenges facing the NRL’s 18th franchise as it prepares to enter the contract market on November 1.
“It seems that every player at the moment is being tied to the Bears if they’re off contract,” Bracey said.
“We’re definitely getting used at the moment—even though (official) discussions for the Bears can’t actually start until November 1.”
“That’s what’s going to happen, managers are going to use your team (Perth) and the new PNG team,” co-host Brad Fittler agreed.
“But if you’re not starting now you’re already behind the eight ball.”
Turning to recruitment opportunities, the panel then raised a potential source of playing talent on the Bears’ doorstep that’s yet to be tapped by other NRL clubs.
“I understand there’s a big South African population in Western Australia,” co-host Andrew Johns said flagging interest from rugby union players and clubs in South Africa looking for pathways to the riches of the NRL.
“I just watched a bit of the U20 Rugby World Cup,” Brad Fittler added.
“South Africa flogged everyone, their players are athletic, big, incredible—they (Perth Bears officials) should be straight over there and targeting them.”
James Bracey agreed, suggesting the onus was on the Bears to find the right players and then entice them to Perth.
“I just look at a player like (Roosters star and ex-Wallaby) Mark Nawaqanitawase and think ‘there’s more of him out there’, especially with that direct flight into Perth from South Africa and the UK,” he said.
“My biggest fear is the assumption that to get players to Perth we’ll have to pay overs, so if it’s a $1.4 million player you’ll have to pay $1.7 million—and then you’re also competing against the tax-free income they could be getting from PNG.”
“It’s got its challenges, and we know we’ll need a big ticket item (marquee player) to attract other players and grow the game,” Bracey added.
“We have our first board meeting next week and we’ll be able to chat to Mal Meninga about all this stuff then—but knowing him, he’ll have a hit list ready to go.”
The Perth Bears enter the NRL competition in 2027 and are able to begin signing players from November 1 this year.
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