Tyran Wishart will reportedly tour the Perth Bears‘ facilities in the west next week, in a key indication he could become the newest NRL team’s first big-name signing. And he could be joined by some Brisbane Broncos premiership winners, with Gehamat Shibasaki and Jesse Arthars said to be on the Bears’ radar.
Wishart has played 82 games for the Melbourne Storm since debuting in 2022, but most have been as a bench utility. The 26-year-old has shown he deserves to start at NRL level, but is stuck behind Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes at the Storm.
Tyran Wishart (L), Gehamat Shibasaki and Jesse Arthars (R) are all in the Perth Bears’ sights. Image: Getty
With Wishart only under contract until the end of 2026, he’s free to speak to rival clubs about a move for 2027. According to The Daily Telegraph, his interest in the Bears has progressed to the stage that he’s been enticed over to Perth to tour their facilities. Wishart will reportedly head out west next week to meet with Bears officials, including coach Mal Meninga.
Panthers forward Liam Henry was also reportedly supposed to make the trip this week, but had to reschedule due to illness. The premiership winner will instead head over to Perth next week, with reports he’s all-but certain to sign with the Bears.
The signatures of Wishart or Henry would be a huge moment for the Bears, as it might entice other big-name players to make the move. Meninga’s side have missed out on a number of top targets in recent weeks, including Jayden Campbell and Reuben Garrick.
Tyran Wishart (L) is stuck behind Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes at the Storm. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Broncos backs on Perth Bears’ wish-list
Speaking on SEN radio this week, journalist Adrian Proszenko said the Bears are hoping to have signed 10 players before Christmas. The Courier Mail is reporting that Broncos backs Shibasaki and Arthars are firmly in the new franchise’s sights, and would receive significant contract upgrades by making the switch.
Shibasaki was only on an $80,000 development deal in 2025, which was topped up by bonuses for playing State of Origin for Queensland and the Ashes series for Australia. His salary will only increase to about $140,000 in 2026, but he’d earn a lot more in Perth. It’s unlikely the Broncos would be able to match the Bears’ offer considering their salary cap constraints and big money tied up elsewhere.
RELATED:
Billy Burns and Sam Hughes revealed as Perth Bears targets
And Proszenko revealed a number of other names that previously hadn’t been mentioned. “I spoke to their recruiter Dane Campbell, who said to me recently that we hope to have 10 signatures by Christmas,” Proszenko said on SEN. “That may or may not be ambitious, but I know that, in speaking to a lot of the agents, they’ve been very active in that space.
“There are a lot of players that they want to speak to, and I can probably give you a couple of names that haven’t been out in the public arena that I’ve just heard having made a few calls this morning. Billy Burns, who’s off contract at Cronulla. He’s had a terrific season, so much so that Briton Nikora, when he came back from injury, didn’t immediately displace him from that Cronulla side that went all the way to a prelim final.
Billy Burns (L) in action for Cronulla. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“Another one that I’ve heard is Sam Hughes at the Bulldogs. A front-rower (who) had a bit of an injury interrupted season. (He’s) probably the new prototype front-rower and not the big sort of bopper that we’re used to.
“Another couple of other names. I’ve heard guys like Tom Chester at the Cowboys. Potentially Jaimin Jolliffe, who’s a prop up at the Titans. There’s just a couple of other names that are in the mix.
“I’m not saying that they will be signed but if (their existing clubs) want to keep those players, and I think that certainly will be the case with Billy Burns, they definitely want to extend him, there’s gonna be some competitive tension there.”