Four new names have emerged as top targets of Mal Meninga and the Perth Bears, including a four-time premiership-winner with the Panthers, and two outside backs from the Broncos.
It’s been well documented that the NRL’s newest franchise would love to snare a big fish like Cameron Munster or Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, and Meninga is reportedly preparing a $7.5m deal for Tino.
But more players have been revealed to be on the Bears’ hit-list. Phil Rothfield has revealed that Scott Sorensen is in Meninga’s sights, with the Panthers and New Zealand forward off contract at the end of 2026.
Sorensen has won four-straight premierships with Penrith and would add some steel to the Bears’ forward pack, in the same way Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers did when the Dolphins entered the competition.
With Sorensen off contract at the end of next season, he’d be free to sign with the Bears for their inaugural season in 2027 as of November 1 this year.
Speaking on Triple M radio this week, Brent Read revealed the other names he’s heard as being on the Bears’ radar. Read named Sharks captain Cameron McInnes, Broncos outside backs Gehamat Shibasaki and Deine Mariner, and Titans gun Jayden Campbell.
Shibasaki and Mariner are both off contract at the end of 2026, and the Broncos have a well-documented salary cap squeeze to try and manage. Campbell and McInnes are also without a deal past the 2026 season, and Campbell would be a huge coup for the Perth team.
“There’s been a lot of talk about Jayden Campbell’s future,” Read said. “He’s got one more year left on his deal and he’s raised some obvious concerns – similar concerns that Tino’s had about Gold Coast at the moment. If they (the Bears) aren’t looking at him they’re mad.”
Phil Gould questions Tino Fa’asuamaleaui money
The Titans recently stated that coach Des Hasler will still be around in 2026, despite recent reports he’s facing the sack. It’s believed the Gold Coast ownership group are trying to provide players like Fa’asuamaleaui and Campbell with some clarity in an attempt to convince them to stay.
Last week, Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager stated he’ll test the open market when he’s allowed to do so on November 1. The State of Origin star is on a long-term contract at the Titans, but has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave in 2027.
It’s believed Fa’asuamaleaui is keen to remain on the Gold Coast due to family reasons, but has a close relationship with Meninga and is reportedly set to be offered $1.5m per year to switch clubs. Speaking on the ‘Six Tackles with Gus’ podcast on Wednesday, Phil Gould questioned whether it’s a mis-step to throw that much money at a forward.
“If you’re going to pay $1.5 million and your marquee player is going to be a front rower…He’s going to be a front-rower who doesn’t play 80 minutes every week,” Gould said. “You’ve got to pay someone else to play the rest of the game that he’s not going to play.
“Then who do you put into the positions that actually influence the scoreboard? He’s a great player. He is an outstanding front row forward. But there has to be a limit. If you can’t influence the scoreboard, it doesn’t matter how rough and tough your front-rower is. So I find that ridiculous.”
