Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga has hit back at reports linking a number of stars to the new NRL franchise, with Panthers fan favourite Scott Sorensen among the latest to be tipped for a big-money switch. But Meninga says the reality is the Bears can’t speak with any players until November 1, after shutting down some of the recent speculation.
It’s been widely reported that Meninga is eyeing superstars such as Cameron Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to become one of Perth’s first marquee signings. It’s been suggested the Bears are preparing a monster $7.5m deal for Gold Coast skipper Fa’asuamaleaui, who has an option in his current long-term deal that allows him to hit the open market on November 1.
Mal Meninga (L) says he hasn’t yet spoken to any players about joining the Perth Bears after Panthers premiership hero Scott Sorensen (R) became one of the latest stars linked. Pic: Getty
Four-time premiership-winning Penrith forward Sorensen is another name who has been linked with a switch to Perth. Veteran league reporter Phil Rothfield revealed this week that Sorensen is firmly in Meninga’s sights, with the Panthers and New Zealand forward off contract at the end of 2026 and free to speak with rival clubs later this year.
The experienced Panthers forward would add steel to the Bears’ forward pack, in a similar way that Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers did when the Dolphins entered the competition. And with Sorensen off contract at the end of 2026, he’d be free to sign with the Bears for their inaugural season in 2027 as of November 1 this year.
But Meninga said the truth about Sorensen and any other players being linked to the Bears, is that he is ‘not allowed to talk to them’ yet. The Perth coach says he understands that players coming off contract will naturally be linked the cashed-up franchise, but suggested any concrete links at this stage were purely speculation.
Four-time premiership-winning Panthers forward Scott Sorensen is among the latest big-name stars being linked with joining the Perth Bears. Pic: Getty
Mal Meninga hoses down reports about Perth-linked NRL stars
“Any player off contract at the end of 2026 is going to be put in the papers linked with the Perth Bears being interested,” Meninga told SEN 1170. “All these people are being listed that we’re interested in, they’re all off contract next year. It’s not that hard to put a list together.
“All these players are contracted and they’re probably talking about staying on at their club a bit longer. We can’t fit them in now. How am I going to say no to them all?
“It’s difficult to keep the news out of the media. It’s not created by us. People can make things up. We’re not allowed to talk to them; we haven’t expressed any interest.
“As I keep saying every week, if they’re available we will probably talk to them. If we feel they’re going to be a great addition to the roster, we will talk to them.”
Sharks captain Cameron McInnes, Titans playmaker Jayden Campbell and Broncos outside backs Gehamat Shibasaki and Deine Mariner are among a number of other stars who’ve been linked to the Bears in recent days. Shibasaki and Mariner are both off contract at the end of 2026, and the Broncos have a well-documented salary cap squeeze to manage. Campbell and McInnes are also without a deal past 2026, and the signing of the Titans half would be a particularly huge coup for Meninga.
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“There’s been a lot of talk about Jayden Campbell’s future,” News Corp league reporter Brent Read said last week. “He’s got one more year left on his deal and he’s raised some obvious concerns – similar concerns that Tino’s had about Gold Coast at the moment. If they (the Bears) aren’t looking at him they’re mad.”
Meninga will start building Perth’s maiden NRL roster from November 1, and made it clear that their search for talent would extend far and wide when asked whether there were overseas-based player he planned on holding discussions with. “S***loads,” he joked. “What do you want me to say? Of course there are.”