{"id":363755,"date":"2025-12-22T03:41:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T03:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/363755\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T03:41:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T03:41:23","slug":"november-1-blog-contracts-signings-bears-target-sharks-jesse-colquhoun-16-player-salary-cap-squeeze-josh-curran-bulldogs-sean-russell-eels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/363755\/","title":{"rendered":"November 1 blog, contracts, signings, Bears target Sharks Jesse Colquhoun, 16 player salary cap squeeze, Josh Curran, Bulldogs, Sean Russell, Eels"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Perth Bears have reportedly ramped up their pursuit of Sharks star Jesse Colquhoun, who has been linked with six clubs and is one of the prized signatures on the open market.<\/p>\n

Colquhoun had a breakout year for the Sharks in 2025, playing 18 games and starting at lock following the season ending injury to skipper Cameron McInnes. <\/p>\n

The Daily Telegraph<\/a> reported Colquhoun has had \u201cadvanced talks\u201d with the Perth Bears about moving to the expansion club when his contract expires in 2026. <\/p>\n

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The 24-year-old has played 29 games for the Sharks since his debut in 2022 and would have played a lot more were it not for repeated knee injuries early in his career. <\/p>\n

Colquhoun is a highly regarded and versatile forward, who can cover the back row and prop at a pinch and has been mentioned as a potential NSW bolter in 2026. <\/p>\n

The Bears are keen to land Colquhoun to build their pack around the impressive lock forward. <\/p>\n

The Sharks are keen to keep Colquhoun, but have salary cap issues that prevent them from matching the money on offer from the Bears.<\/p>\n

Cronulla also have Sam Stonestreet, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Billy Burns, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Cameron McInnes, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf and William Kennedy all coming off-contract in 2026 and they can\u2019t keep them all.<\/p>\n

In all the Sharks have 16 players coming off-contract in 2026 and face a huge task to re-sign some of their star players for 2027 and beyond. <\/p>\n

Colquhoun\u2019s injury history could also influence him to make the switch to the Bears in order to capitalise on his growing reputations after a series of setbacks early in his career. <\/p>\n

The Bears have already signed Harry Newman, Toby Sexton, Liam Henry, Iszac Fa\u2019asuamaleaui, Luke Smith and Emarly Bitungane. <\/p>\n

Jesse Colquhoun is in advanced talks with the Perth Bears.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n

They have also been linked with Eels flyer Sean Russell and Bulldogs enforcer Josh Curran.<\/p>\n

Colquhoun reflected on his return from injury setbacks earlier this season. <\/p>\n

\u201cTo go from missing the start of the year with an ACL and then to work my way back in, it\u2019s pretty surreal,\u201d Colquhoun told Zero Tackle in September.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always tough. You always have those personal battles behind closed doors, but we are such a strong club here and have such strong connections, which makes it easy to get through, especially those tough times.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone\u2019s here to pick you up and keep you going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure with a lot of the boys, they wouldn\u2019t be here without their family, and I\u2019m the exact same. They drive me to training, pick me up when I can\u2019t drive and do everything for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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BEARS CLOSE IN ON BULLDOGS ENFORCER AND EELS FLYER<\/p>\n

The Perth Bears are reportedly closing in on Bulldogs forward Josh Curran after landing Eels flyer Sean Russell in a pre-Christmas signing spree.<\/p>\n

The Daily Telegraph<\/a> reported the Bears are set to sign Russell and Curran as they continue their signing spree to form their inaugural squad in 2027. <\/p>\n

Russell has reportedly agreed to a long-term deal with the Bears that will see him leave the Eels after the 2026 season. <\/p>\n

And Curran, who has been on the outer at the Bulldogs is reportedly set to follow him West after the 2026 campaign at Belmore. <\/p>\n

Russell, 23, has scored 24 tries in 61 games for the Eels since his debut in 2021 and can cover both wing and centre. <\/p>\n

Curran, 26, has scored 19 tries in 106 games for the Roosters, Warriors and Bulldogs since his debut in 2019 and is also versatile in covering every position in the forward pack bar hooker. <\/p>\n

The Bears aimed to have 10 signings before Christmas and with six confirmed and Russell and Curran to follow they could make good on their promise. <\/p>\n

The Bears are closing in on Bulldogs enforcer Josh Curran.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Eels were keen to keep Russell, but were trumped by the money on offer from the expansion franchise and the extra security of a four year deal. <\/p>\n

Curran would be the first Bears player with over 100 games of NRL experience and can cover the front row and back row. <\/p>\n

Toby Sexton, Harry Newman, Liam Henry, Iszac Fa\u2019asuamaleaui, Luke Smith and Emarly Bitungane are all already on the books at the Bears for 2027. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile the Bears have held talks with Storm pair Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart, who could make the magic number 10 if they sign before Christmas. <\/p>\n

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