With the Bears scheduled to begin their first official pre-season in November ahead of the 2027 campaign, the reality is that their playing roster remains a long way from complete.
While there is still time to build a competitive squad, every month that passes without significant recruitment adds pressure to the club’s management and raises concerns about whether they can realistically challenge from day one.
The comparison with the incoming Papua New Guinea franchise is impossible to ignore.
PNG has benefited from unprecedented support from both the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments, with many millions committed to broader strategic partnerships that extend well beyond rugby league.
The NRL has also invested heavily in academies, pathways, high-performance infrastructure and grassroots development throughout PNG. Those investments are designed to create a sustainable football pipeline rather than simply build an NRL roster, but the perception remains that the competition’s second newest franchise has received considerably more assistance than Perth.
Whether that amounts to bias is another question entirely.
The circumstances surrounding each expansion club are vastly different. PNG represents a unique geopolitical partnership between Australia and its nearest Pacific neighbour, meaning government funding was always likely to exceed anything a traditional Australian-based expansion club could expect.
Perth, meanwhile, enters a mature Australian sporting market where the expectation is that the club can rely more heavily on private investment, established infrastructure and the NRL’s existing recruitment mechanisms.
That explanation may be logical, but it doesn’t make the Bears’ task any easier.
Recruitment has been slower than many expected, particularly when compared to the Dolphins, who had secured several cornerstone players well before entering the competition. Expansion clubs inevitably miss out on headline targets, but they cannot afford to miss on volume.
Perth needs experienced first-graders capable of leading a brand-new organisation while simultaneously investing in younger talent that can develop alongside the club.
The Bears should prioritise proven leaders over marquee names. That’s easier said than done.
There’s quite a shortage of marquee players actually available, but there’s plenty of talented free agents - both experienced and searching for a chance - that they should have assembled more depth than they have so far.
Experienced premiership winners who understand professional standards are arguably more valuable than one superstar surrounded by inexperience. Veteran middle forwards, an organising halfback, an elite dummy-half and a commanding fullback should be at the top of the shopping list.
Equally important will be targeting emerging players trapped behind established stars at powerhouse clubs such as Penrith, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Roosters.
History suggests this approach works.
The Melbourne Storm built sustained success through smart recruitment rather than headline signings. More recently, the Dolphins exceeded expectations in their inaugural season by assembling experienced professionals who bought into Wayne Bennett’s culture before complementing them with emerging talent.
Perth should also cast its net internationally. Super League continues to produce quality forwards and outside backs capable of making the transition to the NRL, while New Zealand remains an important recruiting ground. The Bears cannot afford to limit themselves solely to the domestic market.
There are other challenges unique to Perth: convincing players to relocate and ensuring the Perth locals accept their new team.
With the Bears being in a non-traditional market that's dominated by the AFL. Sections of the local media have already shown hostility towards them and the majority of locals may not care if the 'new rugby team' struggles.
While the North Sydney Bears nostalgia is nice, a couple of games at North Sydney Oval may not be enough to turn the Perth Bears into an immediate fan-backed franchise, though they should get plenty of support for away games in Sydney.
Despite Western Australia’s lifestyle advantages, the city remains geographically isolated from rugby league’s eastern heartland. For many players and their families, relocating across the country is a far bigger decision than moving within Queensland or New South Wales.
That means Perth must offer more than just competitive salaries. The club needs a compelling vision, strong leadership, excellent welfare programs and the promise of building something historic.
None of this means the Bears are destined to struggle.
Expansion clubs have repeatedly shown that recruitment can accelerate quickly once momentum builds. One marquee signing often leads to another, creating confidence among players and managers that the club is heading in the right direction.
However, the clock is ticking.
If the Bears enter the final months before pre-season still searching for the core of their roster, genuine concerns about their competitiveness will become increasingly difficult to dismiss. They don’t need a squad full of superstars, but they do need certainty, leadership and depth.
The foundations of a successful club are built long before the opening whistle of Round 1.
Right now, the Perth Bears still have the opportunity to lay those foundations - but the window is beginning to narrow.
Matt Attard is a freelance rugby league writer, disability support worker and host of the Pack Mentality podcast. A lifelong Bulldogs supporter, he is passionate about telling the stories behind the game, from grassroots to the NRL, while championing mental health and the people who make rugby league special. You can read all of his content here and contact him on LinkedIn.
