Former Super League and NRL man Luke Keary has spoken on Perth Bears’ recruitment so far and what else could come, suggesting that more players from England could head over to the NRL’s newest club.
Keary made the jump over from the NRL to Super League ahead of the 2025 season and it’s fair to say, it didn’t go perfectly for the former NRL champ with Catalans struggling and the playmaker failing to make a major impact.
That said, he’s a veteran of the game whose opinion holds plenty of weight and he’s now cast his eye over Perth Bears’ recruitment so far, including of Super League duo Harry Newman and Toby Sexton.
Sexton has followed in Keary’s footsteps, making the move to Catalans, however, Keary believes that this move to Perth was on the cards before that Super League switch was confirmed.
Speaking on SEN League radio, Keary said: “I think he went over with the intention of trying to secure a spot there at Perth. There was probably some chat there before he went.
“It will be a good experience, he’s still a young fella and then he’ll get over to Perth where he’s probably going to be the main man, right?
“He’s going to be their seven so it gives him a great chance to get away from the NRL for a year and come in there with a fresh slate.”
Perth Bears tipped to target more Super League players
Sexton’s playing partner will be Lewis Dodd, who failed to make an impact during his time in the NRL this past season and returned after one year, although Keary believes that the ex-Souths man could well earn a move back if he impresses.
He explained: “Dodd might be another one, if that works over there then he could be another one that they look at to bring over.”
As for Perth’s other confirmed Super League recruit, Harry Newman, Keary cast his eye over the England man and said that he believes the Bears may be forced to target other Super League players to fully flesh out their squad for 2027.
On Newman, Keary said: “He’s not a bad player. I was talking to someone the other day, they (Perth) are going to have to think outside the square and that’s a logical place to go, I believe.
“A lot of those English boys, they all want to come to the NRL. The opportunities are limited and it’s a great opportunity to get into the NRL and play.
“I think they’ll start looking over there (in Super League). I’ve spoken to a few people over there who think there are a few boys that they’re looking at.”
Talking more specifically about Newman’s credentials, he added: “Harry was at Leeds, he’s a young centre who got the last Test match for England and it’ll be really interesting to see how he goes. He’s probably a steady centre.
“You look at our top line centres and they’re not of that same class but in saying that, he’ll get an NRL pre-season, he’s still young and we’ll see how he goes.”
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