Why Bears build is on track despite great’s concern… and the two players they must target

The Bears are steadily building their roster ahead of their 2027 NRL entry, but there’s two other players the club should be aiming to recruit.

The NRL’s 18th team have signed or agreed to terms with 12 players, headlined by Storm duo Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart as well as Dogs forward Josh Curran.

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Kayo Sports NRL podcast host Braith Anasta said the Bears’ task to build a team from the ground up was never going to be easy before stating the current Perth roster is “miles away” from competing for a premiership.

“It was always going to be tough for Mal (Meninga) and his team but they have until 2027,” Anasta said.

“There’s guys who have plenty of first grade experience there and some on the edge of first grade but none of them really jump out if I’m honest. They’re not x-factor players, they’re guys you look at that aren’t going to win you a comp are they?

“They have some building to do.

“I look at this team and they’re miles away. They’re doing a good job with what they’ve got but they’re going to take years with the roster they have there.”

‘CHARACTER OVER TALENT’

Michael Ennis and Cooper Cronk both like the approach that Mal Meninga and the Bears have taken so far.

“I really like the type of player that Mal is signing. Someone like Liam Henry is everything that Mal wants his footy side to look like. Tough, no nonsense,” Ennis said.

“Nick Meaney has shown his class at the Storm.”

“They’re building from the ground up. Character over talent in the early stages which I think is right,” Cronk added.

“Meaney, Wishart, Curran, Henry. They’re in my team. They are just workers.”

WHO SHOULD THEY TARGET?

While Ennis says recruitment is off to a decent start, he named an “underrated” player the Bears should go for – Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima.

Ennis believes Nikorima has been crucial to the development of teammate Isaiya Katoa, who has quickly entered the upper echelon of NRL halfbacks after debuting in 2023.

“The other player I really think they should go for is Kodi Nikorima. He’s been so underestimated at the Dolphins,” Ennis said.

“A lot has been celebrated about Isaiya Katoa and rightly so but a lot of his education and rise to stardom has come off the back of having the experience of Kodi Nikorima around him.”

The Bears have been unable to land a big fish in free agency, but have reportedly held talks with Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui about making him the club’s marquee signing.

For now, Fa’asuamaleaui wants to stay put and see how the first year under the new Josh Hannay regime goes on the glitter strip, but it’s worth noting that the Bears have signed Tino’s brother Iszac.

It led Ennis to speculate that perhaps the Bears are closer to signing the Titans superstar than most may think.

“Do we think Tino (is a chance)? The fact they’ve signed his brother Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui,” Ennis said with Anasta replying: “He’d be perfect and Mal is after him. He’s at a club now that is struggling, he’s probably going to see if they’ll improve.”

“The Iszac signing is a good play. Package deal,” Cronk added.

YOUTH POLICY

Like the Dolphins were in their first year, the Bears’ roster will likely be one of the league’s worst in 2027.

That’s just the nature of the beast, especially when creating a team from scratch which is based the other side of the country.

Cronk outlined what he’d do to help give the Bears the best possible chance in a few years time.

“When I look at who is available, I think I’d go down the path of getting five or six Queensland, NSW, NZ, Tonga under 19s. Look at the Dolphins, Isaiya Katoa 2.0,” Cronk said.

“Go and get five or six of those guys who have played a bit of rep footy together and invest in them and get some hard, experienced heads around them. I think that’s a good move.

“Everyone wants to see a big marquee player from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Its cool and gets the headlines, but I think if you’re going to build from the ground up and be successful, I think you pick up some gun under 19s”

SWISS ARMY KNIFE

There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before the Bears need to finalise their top 30, but unless there’s a couple of big-name signings, Meninga’s expected starting side almost looks to be complete.

Meaney is set to start 2027 at fullback, while Sexton will wear the No. 7.

The interesting addition is Wishart. He has played a range of positions at the Storm without locking one down with Craig Bellamy willing to play him almost anywhere.

However, according to former NRL hooker Michael Ennis, Wishart should slot straight into the No. 9 jersey in Perth.

“My understanding is that Wishart is there to play No. 9. I think with the way the current game is, he definitely can work at No. 9 but he needs more time there,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for him as he’s been waiting patiently at the Storm and he’s done a great job with his versatility but now he wants to establish himself.”

CURRENT BEST BEARS STARTING SIDE

1. Nick Meaney

2. N/A

3. Sean Russell

4. Harry Newman

5. N/A

6. N/A

7. Toby Sexton

8. Liam Henry

9. Tyran Wishart

10. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui

11. Luke Smith

12. James McDonnell

13. Josh Curran

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