Overview

• Official recruitment for the Perth Bears opens on November 1, 2025, triggering early positioning among players and agents as a Papua New Guinea franchise gears up for its 2028 NRL debut.
• Perth Bears board member James Bracey warns that tying off-contract players to the new club is driving inflated salary demands across the league.
• Breakaway rugby union competition R360 has met with stars like Ryan Papenhuyzen and is reportedly offering deals worth up to $1.5 million per season.
• Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and commentator Brad Fittler caution that R360’s financial firepower could lure marquee talent away from NRL clubs.
• The Perth Bears board will meet next week with coach Mal Meninga to finalise a list of marquee recruitment targets before the signing window opens.