It’s no easy feat to build an NRL roster from scratch, but that’s the challenge facing Perth Bears recruitment manager Dane Campbell, who has outlined a bold ambition for this year.
Speaking to the SMH, Campbell wants to have 10 signatures secured by Christmas as the Bears ready to enter the competition in 2027.
November 1 is when Campbell and the Bears can begin negotiating with players who are set to come off contract at the end of 2026.
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Several big names remained unsigned beyond 2026 including Warriors half Luke Metcalf, Titans livewire Jayden Campbell and Bulldogs enforcer Viliame Kikau among plenty of other stars.
It has been reported that the Bears already have their eye on Campbell, Titans teammate Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Broncos grand final heroes Deine Mariner and Gehamat Shibasaki.
Campbell says the Bears can’t afford to be complacent once November 1 rolls around given they need to have upwards of 30 players signed by the start of 2027.
“It’s certainly a unique (challenge),” Campbell told the SMH.
“We are mindful we don’t have to have a roster of 30 done by Christmas time this year … If we’ve got 10 players signed by Christmas, we’ve done incredibly well. The rest can be built out by next year.”
“In my brain, that’s possible.”
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Given Perth’s location, Campbell concedes the club will need to stump up some extra cash to lure players across the country and well away from their home.
He explains how they might approach this potential issue.
“They might be making some decisions about where they’ve grown up and they might have a similar opportunity at a Sydney-based club,” Campbell said.
“As an example, if you’re playing for Cronulla on $200,000 and Parramatta offer you $220,000, you might decide to go there because you don’t change houses, you’re just driving in a different direction.
“Whereas for us, if we’re offering that same player on $220,000, that $20,000 extra, or that 10 per cent mark, that may not convince someone to go to Perth because they’ve got to get a new house, they will be away from family.
“There’s a whole lot of factors to consider.”