Rabbitohs star Jamie Humphreys has backflipped on his decision to join the Perth Bears in 2027.
It’s a hammer blow to Mal Meninga’s side with the versatile 24-year-old playmaker earmarked to be one of Perth’s key spine players for its inaugural season.
Currently coming off the bench for the Rabbitohs, the Bears had offered Humphreys a lucrative three-year contract with every indication the star would sign.
But to the shock of Bears officials the deal has collapsed and now the NRL’s 18th franchise is again scrambling to fill a crucial position just four months out from its first NRL preseason.
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The news means Humphreys remains an NRL free agent and is unsigned for 2027.
The Rabbitohs had been previously unable to table a competitive offer to Humphreys given salary cap pressures surrounding the arrival of Payne Haas next season and the retention of other young stars including Jye Gray.
It remains to able seen if that now changes with their man back on the market.
Perth Bears 2027 confirmed signingsApa TwidleChris Vea’ilaHarry NewmanJames McDonnellJosh CurranLiam HenryLuke LauliliiLuke SmithMavrik GeyerMikolaj OledzkiNick MeaneyScott SorensenSean RussellSiosifa TalakaiToby SextonTyran Wishart