Perth Bears via Penrith Panthers
This is an intriguing one.
Let’s say the Perth Bears sign him from 2027 onwards, for their inaugural season.
Simonsson will still be contracted to the Eels for the 2026 season, and he won’t be getting any game time there, which the Bears won’t want for an incoming player.
Hence, this opens up the door to a potential loan move.
None of the aforementioned teams will take Simonsson on a one-year deal, it would be stupid.
However, for a club like Penrith, it could be a favourable move.
Currently, the Panthers have Casey McLean on one side and the best winger in the game, Brian To’o, on the other, with Thomas Jenkins frequently deputising this year.
To’o has missed eight games for the club this year, six due to injury and the other two for State of Origin duty.
Of those eight, the Panthers have lost six games, giving them only a 25 per cent win rate without To’o.
Having Simonsson in the team won’t miraculously fix those numbers, but it will add extra cover for the season in case something similar happens again.
As for Simonsson, he would be joining a team that is currently striving for its fifth premiership in a row, and by the time he joins, could be striving for a sixth.
