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With Western Australia Premier Roger Cook officially announcing the Perth Bears to enter the 2027 NRL premiership, the race will begin for the club to hire a coach and then ensure they can chase after the right players to make them a competitive team come March 2027.
As of now, here is the full list of players in the NRL who are off contract for the 2027 season.
Brisbane Broncos – Billy Walters, Ben Hunt, Jesse Arthars, Jock Madden, Josh Rodgers, Payne Haas
Canberra Raiders – Ata Mariota, Chevy Stewart, Morgan Smithies, Pasami Saulo, Savielo Tamale, Simi Sasagi, Zac Hosking
Canterbury Bulldogs – Bailey Hayward, Connor Tracey, Enari Tuala, Harry Hayes, Jack Todd, Viliame Kikau, Josh Curran, Marcelo Montoya, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes, Zyon Maiu’u
Cronulla Sharks – Blayke Brailey, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Cameron McInnes, Hohepa Puru, Jesse Colquhoun, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Michael Gabrael, Sione Katoa, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf
Dolphins – Connolly Lemuelu, Francis Molo, Herbie Farnworth, Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako, James Walsh, Kodi Nikorima, Max Feagai, Trai Fuller
Gold Coast Titans – Alofiana Khan Pereira, Beau Fermor, Brian Kelly, Carter Gordon, David Fifita, Jaimin Jolliffe, Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini, Phillip Sami, Sam Verills, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Manly Sea Eagles – Jake Simpkin, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker, Nathan Brown, Reuben Garrick, Tom Trbojevic, Tolu Koula
Melbourne Storm – Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes, Nick Meaney, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Shawn Blore, Will Warbrick, Xavier Coates
Newcastle Knights – Brodie Jones, Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew, Jack Cogger
North Queensland Cowboys – Griffin Neane, Jaxon Purdue, Jaxson Paulo, John Bateman, Kai O’Donnell, Kaiden Lahrs, Karl Lawton, Murray Taulagi, Sam McIntyre, Tom Chester
Parramatta Eels – Brendan Hands, Charlie Guymer, Dean Hawkins, Dylan Walker, Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani, Junior Paulo, Matt Doorey, Shaun Lane
Penrith Panthers – Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Lindsay Smith, Luke Garner, Matt Eisenhuth, Scott Sorensen
Jaydn Su’A is tackled. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
St George Illawarra Dragons – Blake Lawrie, Christian Tuipolotou, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart, Jaydn Su’A, Lachlan Ilias, Luciano Leilua, Matt Feagai, Mikaele Ravalawa, Tyrell Sloan
South Sydney Rabbitohs – Jamie Humphreys, Jye Gray, Lachlan Hubner, Keon Koloamatangi
Sydney Roosters – Angus Crichton, Blake Steep, James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Naufahu Whyte, Sandon Smith, Siua Wong
Warriors – Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jacob Laban, Kurt Capewell, Luke Metcalf, Marata Niukore, Roco Berry, Roger Tuivasa Sheck, Taine Tuaupiki, Tana Boyd
Wests Tigers – Api Koroisau, Jack Bird, Jahream Bula, Jarome Luai, Jeral Skelton, Lachlan Galvin, Luke Laulilii, Sione Fainu, Solomone Saukuru, Tallyn Da Silva
Looking at the list of players available, the following will look at players I believe the Bears should be chasing after among NRL teams and possible backups should that not go to plan.
Fullback: Nick Meaney
Meaney will be 29 at the beginning of the 2027 season and he has continued to solidify himself as a solid outside back in his NRL career. Now a consistent player for the Melbourne Storm who can also kick goals, Meaney provides experience at the back and has shown in the absence of Ryan Papenhuyzen that he can play well at fullback. Should the Bears miss out on Meaney, Jye Gray would be a great pick given the Queenslander is unlikely to overtake Latrell Mitchell as the Rabbitohs first choice fullback.
Wingers: Sione Katoa and Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Katoa and Khan-Pereira are prolific try scorers for their respective clubs and what better way to get new fans into Perth by having athletic wingers who can score tries for fun? The pair will be 29 and 25 respectively come the beginning of the 2027 season and the Bears can chase after both of these wingers without overspending on their salary cap.
Backup options – Will Warbrick and Tyrell Sloan.
Centres: Jake Averillo and Jesse Arthars
Jake Averillo has played a key part in the Dolphins continuing to rise as an NRL team and has shown flashes of brilliance which has led to the Dolphins causing some upsets in their short NRL history. Another outside back who would be entering his prime years come 2027, Averillo would be the X factor in the Bears backline and potentially develop into a five-eight for them later into his career.
While Arthars has had success on the wing for the Broncos, he may not be able to fit into the Bears side as a winger. That being said, Arthars definitely has the game to succeed as a centre and would also be able to be one of the backup fullback options should the club lose their first choice fullback to injury.
Backup options – Marcelo Montoya and KL Iro
Five-eighth: Kodi Nikorima
In career-best form for the Dolphins, Nikorima is likely to be phased out for younger options come the 2027 season. Turning 33 soon after the 2027 season begins, Nikorima would provide stability in the Bears side alongside giving a new team some valuable experience and leadership.
Backup option – Bailey Hayward
Halfback: Luke Metcalf
Having spent the majority of his NRL career as the backup halfback, Metcalf is relishing in his role as the first choice halfback for the Warriors. As his market value goes up, teams will chase after the halfback. While the Bears may have to overspend to land his signature, they are still unlikely to blow their salary cap on the Warriors halfback.
Backup option – Jamie Humphreys
Luke Metcalf celebrates after kicking the winning goal in extra time. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Props: Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Throw. The. Chequebook. That’s all that has to be said about the duo. Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui are both in the top five forwards in the game and it’s a golden opportunity for the Bears to reunite the duo who were at the Broncos together as teenagers.
Haas is a born leader who continues to impress at club and representative level. Setting the standards from day one, it would be a statement from the Bears should they be able to land Haas’ signature.
For Fa’asuamaleaui, the lack of success at the Titans would definitely get to him at some stage and a fresh start is what the Queensland forward may need to have more success at club level.
For a new club, going after Haas and Fa’asuamaleaui would be statement of intent that they are not here to make up the numbers. However, will the duo take the risk of leaving their comfort zone to create a legacy at a new club?
Backup options – Naufahu Whyte and Lindsay Smith
Hooker: Blayke Brailey
The Sharks dummy half has been a key part in the Sharks attempt to break the Penrith juggernaut. A serviceable dummy half with strong defensive attributes, Brailey would be a great addition for the Bears and linkup well with the rest of the Bears spine.
Backup option – Sam Verills
Second row: Scott Sorensen and Angus Crichton
Having turned his career around at the Panthers, Sorensen would be a great signing for the Bears. Similar to what Jesse Bromwich achieved at the Dolphins, Sorensen would be able to provide experience and leadership to ensure the Bears get through their opening few seasons and avoid the spoon.
Crichton has spent more than six seasons at the Roosters and with the club slowly giving younger players more experience, it may be time for him to move on come 2027. The NSW and Australian second rower would play a similar role to Sorensen alongside still having the legs to perform consistently at NRL level
Backup options – Connolly Lemuelu and Zac Hosking
Lock: Cameron McInnes
Turning 33 before the 2027 season begins, McInnes would bring a ton of experience and lead from the front with his outstanding tackling efficiency of 96.6% this season. McInnes also provides cover at hooker, which gives the Bears flexibility during the season. Given that McInnes is chasing one last contract, the Bears are likely to overspend on the Sharks forward. Only time will tell if they chase hard after him.
Backup option – Keon Koloamatangi
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