They can’t land a marquee signing. Is it time to grant the Perth Bears salary-cap concessions?

3 months ago 4

Debate about whether the Perth Bears should receive salary-cap concessions to help recruit players is set to reignite as the new franchise struggles to land a marquee signing.

The Bears have missed out on Storm skipper Harry Grant, Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr and Gold Coast playmaker Jayden Campbell, who was offered a $6 million, five-year deal to move west.

Mal Meninga and the Bears have not managed to land a marquee recruit thus far.

Perth remain in the hunt for Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, though their biggest signing to date is little-known English international Harry Newman.

Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed at least one key Bears official was considering approaching the NRL to request allowances to help with their recruitment drive.

The Rugby League Players’ Association has suggested incentives should be offered – such as extra flights for family and friends to Western Australia, and assistance with childcare costs – to ensure the success of the Perth club, which is due to enter the competition in 2027.

RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said on Monday: “If we’re serious about Perth and the long-term success of the NRL, this has to be addressed now instead of being ignored by the status quo.”

Jayden Campbell has knocked back the Bears to remain on the Gold Coast.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said at the time the Bears were admitted to the competition no such incentives would be given because it would be unfair on the 17 rival clubs.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys on Monday confirmed the Bears would not be given any preferential treatment, just as the Dolphins received no favours from head office before they arrived in the competition in 2023.

“There’s no need for any incentives, and at this stage, we’re more than confident they’ll assemble a competitive roster, just as the Dolphins were able to before they entered the competition,” V’landys said.

“The one thing that’s great about our competition, especially last season, is that everyone is treated equally. I’m not worried about Perth. They will be more than fine.”

“I’m not worried about Perth. They will be more than fine.”

Peter V’landys

However, the Dolphins were established in Brisbane, in rugby league heartland, and had their own fertile nursery. Perth, by contrast, is a staunchly AFL city a five-hour flight from the east coast.

The game’s 19th franchise, Papua New Guinea, will have the luxury of entering the open market next November with tax-free incentives.

The Sydney Swans received cost-of-living allowances worth nearly $1 million from the AFL to make the club more attractive for interstate players worried about covering rent and mortgages in the most expensive city in Australia. However, those allowances were phased out in 2014 amid protests from powerful Victorian clubs.

There is also the chance for AFL players to make more money via league-funded ambassadorial roles if they move and help promote the game in the northern states.

The Bears on Monday announced North Sydney as their official pathways partner and said there were plans to open an academy early next year to keep the best local talent in the west. But the immediate concern is recruiting an NRL team that can be competitive from the outset. The last thing the NRL needs is its newest club being soundly beaten every week.

Fa’asuamaleaui would be a huge coup for the Bears, but the representative forward has also been sounded out by Melbourne about a return to the club where he made his NRL debut in 2019. Titans officials are privately confident Fa’asuamaleaui will stay, and they might have their answer by the time he returns from a family holiday.

Newton said on Monday: “We’ve raised these issues with Andrew [Abdo] and the NRL repeatedly. We’ve been crystal clear that Perth would face challenges in recruiting players, and we’ve been trying to get the NRL to problem solve that since the bid was confirmed.

“What concerns me is the NRL seems ready and willing to quickly redirect funds from the PNG bid to pay off existing clubs, but I’m yet to see how that benefits the game or fans.

“Sadly, when it comes to supporting an expansion club to actually sign players, there is not as much urgency – if any. We’re ready to work through sensible CBA amendments to support Mal [Meninga] and Perth.”