FIVE Options to Be the Perth Bears’ First Marquee Signing
Although the official announcement is still pending, it’s widely accepted that the Perth Bears are set to become the NRL’s 18th team, with their introduction to the competition planned for 2027. Following them, the PNG team is expected to join the league at a later date.
With former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur likely to be appointed as the club’s inaugural head coach, attention now shifts to one of the most critical aspects of launching the new franchise: recruiting players. And not just any players but securing that first major star signing who can represent the club both on and off the field.
Landing a marquee player will be vital to winning over the local fan base. This isn’t just about performance on the field—this is the player whose face will appear on billboards across Western Australia, in digital marketing campaigns, and on the back of replica jerseys in stores. The Dolphins, who recently joined the league, struggled early on to lock in a headline act. Despite their aggressive pursuits of big names like Kalyn Ponga, they ultimately had to wait and settle before signing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The Bears can learn from that experience. While the long-term aim is to develop a full-strength, competitive squad capable of challenging for Finals positions, the short-term priority is to generate excitement and that means making a statement with a high-profile signing.
It would be easy to just rattle off the biggest names set to come off contract, but that approach lacks realism. Many of the league’s superstars, such as Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen, are unlikely to leave powerhouse clubs mid-career. Instead, the Bears should aim for players whose career trajectory, personal goals, or contract status might make a move to a new club appealing.
One of the most credible candidates to be Perth’s marquee man is young playmaker Lachlan Galvin. His situation at the Wests Tigers has attracted plenty of attention, and the timing of his contract aligns perfectly with the Bears’ debut season. Though Parramatta is rumoured to be a strong contender for his signature, the Bears would be foolish not to throw their hat into the ring.
In Perth, Galvin would have the chance to be more than just a player he’d be the centrepiece of a brand-new team, the face of a fresh club identity. One of his reported reasons for wanting out of the Tigers was a desire to step out of the shadows and take control of a team. No opportunity offers that like being the first marquee name in a club’s history.
Galvin’s marketability is another major draw. With his talent and charisma, he’d be a dream for sponsors and an immediate hit among young fans, who would likely flock to buy jerseys bearing his name. He has all the tools to become a breakout NRL star and to be the poster boy of rugby league in Western Australia.
The Bears have a rare opportunity to launch in style, and signing a player like Galvin would be a strong first step toward building something lasting and exciting in Perth.