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Sport Nation
180 Free Agents: Who from your club the Perth Bears could sign?
Sam Kosack • May 9th, 2025 8:00 am
With yesterday’s official announcement of the Perth Bears, attention now turns to who will make up the inaugural side.
There are 180 top 30 and development deal players off contract from November 1 and are available to be signed by the Perth Bears for their initial 2027 season.
Harry Grant, Payne Haas, Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, and Lachlan Galvin headline the list of big-name players that could join the first Perth side since 1997 if their sides don't re-sign them prior.
The Rabbitohs only have five top 30 players off contract on November 1, however that includes young guns Jye Gray and Jamie Humphreys, while the North Queensland Cowboys have 14 players they could lose to the Bears.
Here’s every player off-contract at your club from November 1:
Broncos
Biggest Target: Payne Haas
Payne Haas is the game's best prop, and the common consensus amongst coaches in the modern game is to win a premiership, you need an elite front rower leading the charge. Haas is still only 25 and the Broncos are facing a squeeze to keep all their strike players, meaning the Perth side could be primed to offer Haas a big-money offer to sway him west.
Other Players: Ben Hunt, Billy Walters, Coby Black, Jesse Arthars, Jock Madden, Josh Rogers
Raiders
Biggest Target: Savelio Tamale
Savelio Tamale may only be in his first full year of first grade but already the young Raiders' winger is making his mark on the NRL. In nine appearances in 2025, he's scored five tries, 48 tackle breaks, and 164 average run metres, making him a valuable addition to any team.
Other Players: Ata Mariota, Chevy Stewart, Matt Timoko (CO for 2027, 2028), Michael Asomua, Morgan Smithies, Pasami Saulo, Simi Sasagi, Zac Hosking, Jake Clydsdale, Joe Roddy, Manaia Waitere, Noah Martin
Bulldogs
Biggest Target: Villiame Kikau
The Bulldogs' second rower is one of the most damaging players in the competition and has continued that form in the Bulldogs' hot start to the year. The premiership winner would bring experience and aggression to the Perth pack and set them up for a strong start to their franchise.
Other Players: Bailey Hayward, Connor Tracey, Enari Tuala, Harry Hayes, Jack Todd, Josh Curran, Marcelo Montoya, Reed Mahoney, Sam Hughes, Zyon Maiu’u, Lipoi Hopoi
Sharks
Biggest Target: Blayke Brailey
Blayke Brailey has quietly developed into one of the game's best hookers with a strong running game and quality defensive prowess. Brailey has also proven to be an ultra consistent player having played 113 straight NRL games, and consistency in building combinations couldn't be more important when starting a new franchise.
Other Players: Braden Hamlin-Uele, Cameron McInnes, Hohepa Puru, Jesse Colquhoun, Jesse Ramien, Kayal Iro, Michael Gabrael, Sione Katoa, Siosifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf
Dolphins
Biggest Target: Herbie Farnworth
An elite centre in the NRL, Farnworth joined the Dolphins in their second season and would provide the Perth side an elite attacking weapon in their outside backs. Farnworth has developed into one of the best centres in the NRL since moving from England, and would bring a serious point of difference in attack for the new side.
Other Players: Connelly Lemuelu, Francis Molo, Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako, James Walsh, Kodi Nikorima, Max Feagai, Oryn Keeley, Ray Stone, Trai Fuller
Titans
Biggest Target: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
The Gold Coast Titans' skipper is one of the best forwards in the NRL who is a near sure selection on state and international levels every year. Astoundingly, Fa’asuamaleaui is still only 25-years-old, so not only is he one of the a leader you can build your club around, he's one who can be there for another decade.
Other Players: Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Beau Fermor, Brian Kelly, Carter Gordon, David Fifita, Jaimin Jolliffe, Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini, Phillip Sami, Sam Verrills, Arama Hau (CO 2026), Tukimihia Simpkins
Sea Eagles
Biggest Target: Tom Trbojevic
The influence Tom Trbojevic has on the Sea Eagles' win rate is well documented; 60 percent with him, 35 without him. Trbojevic's attacking prowess is well-known, that 2021 season won't be forgotten anytimme soon, but his leadership is widely underrated, driving standards on and off-field. While it's unlikely the local junior would leave, he's oming off-contract with brother Jake and a package deal for both of them would certainly set the Bears up on the right foot.
Other Players: Jake Simpkin, Jake Trbojevic, Lachlan Croker, Nathan Brown, Reuben Garrick, Tolutau Koula, Simione Laiafi, Zaidas Muagututia
Storm
Biggest Target: Harry Grant
Speaking on SEN 1170 Drive, NRL legend Matty Johns said the best way to build a side is to target "a strong front rower... a pure number 7... and a handy, quicksilver number nine." Harry Grant is the best hooker in rugby league and would prove a club-defining signature if the club could pull it off. Like many of the 'biggest targets' listed, Grant is the captain of his club and would bring much needed experience and maturity to set the tone for a successful club on the outset.
Other Players: Jahrome Hughes, Nick Meaney, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Shawn Blore, Tyran Wishart (CO 2026), William Warbrick, Xavier Coates
Knights
Biggest Target: Greg Marzhew
Greg Marzhew has the second most tackle breaks in the league so far this season, including three games with double digits. Metres out of yardage is one of the most important attributes in a modern-day winger, and Marzhew brings it in spades, running for over 100m in every game.
Other Players: Brodie Jones, Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew, Jack Cogger, Thomas Cant, Tyson Gamble, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Cowboys
Biggest Target: Jaxon Purdue
One of the highest-rated young talents in the game, 19-year-old Jaxon Purdue would be an incredible signing for the new Perth side. Coming through as a halfback, Purdue has found himself a home in the centres for the Cowboys this season, and his form has been so good he's been discussed by SEN Sportsday host Scott Sattler as a potential Origin smokey.
Other Players: Griffin Neame, Harrison Edwards (CO 2026), Jaxson Paulo, John Bateman, Kai O’Donnell, Kaiden Lahrs, Karl Lawton, Murray Taulagi, Sam McIntyre, Thomas Mikaele (CO 2027), Tom Chester, Mason Kira, Zac Herdegen
Eels
Biggest Target: Ryley Smith
Matty Johns says you need a handy, quicksilver hooker. Ryley Smith is certainly that. Still very new into his career as an NRL hooker, Smith has quickly progressed to be the Eels' starting nine but is a player with a lot of grit and tenacity and causes constant headaches for opposition teams.
Other Players: Brendan Hands, Charlie Guymer, Dean Hawkins, Dylan Walker, Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani, Junior Paulo, Josh Addo-Carr (CO 2026), Matt Doorey, Shaun Lane, Kitione Kautoga
Panthers
Biggest Target: Lindsay Smith
Lindsay Smith made his Australian debut at the end of last season in the Pacific Championships and has stepped up as a leader of the Panthers' forward pack with the departure of James Fisher-Harris. At only 25, Smith still has a long upside ahead of him, and having won mutliple premierships would be able to set a premiership culture at the Bears.
Other Players: Jack Cole, Liam Henry, Luke Garner, Matt Eisenhuth, Scott Sorenson, Trent Toelau
Dragons
Biggest Target: Jaydn Su’A
The Dragons' player of the year, Jaydn Su'A has represented Queensland six times and grown into a strong second rower who would be a valuable pick up for the Bears.
Other Players: Blake Lawrie, Christian Tuipulotu, Damien Cook, Emre Guler, Hame Sele, Hamish Stewart, Lachlan Ilias, Luciano Leilua, Matthew Feagai, Mikaele Ravalawa, Tyrell Sloan
Rabbitohs
Biggest Target: Jye Gray
Jye Gray is one of the breakout players of 2025 thus far and has proven his value at fullback for the Rabbitohs in the absence of Latrell Mitchell. Gray was leading the Dally Ms after the first six rounds of the competition and has proven that he deserves a starting spot in a rugby league side, and with his ability to play fullback or five-eighth, would prove a valuable asset for the Perth side.
Other Players: Jamie Humphreys, Keaon Koloamatangi, Lachlan Hubner, Sean Keppie, Gerome Burns, Liam Le Blancm, Max McCarthy, Nazareth Taua
Roosters
Biggest Target: James Tedesco
If you're setting up a strong, premiership culture at a new club, you could do a lot worse than having a former Australian and NSW captain as the man steering you around. Tedesco was awarded the 2019 Dally M award, and has won another three Dally M fullback of the year awards, and despite being 34 when the Bears join the NRL, he would prove invaluable experience and class to the rookie side, along with still being an elite fullback in arguably career-best form.
Other Players: Angus Crichton, Blake Steep, Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Naufahu Whyte, Sandon Smith, Siua Wong, Hugo Savala, Reece Foley, Xavier Va’a
Warriors
Biggest Target: Luke Metcalf
When the Warriors began 2025, many doubted their ability to compete having lost almost a thousand games of experience between Shaun Johnson, Addin Fonua-Blake, and Tohu Harris. Enter Luke Metcalf. Metcalf has stepped into the halfback jersey with tremendous success that sees the Warriors in the top four after the first 10 rounds. Metcalf is still developing as a halfback, but his speed and natural game instincts make him a man to build around no matter the club.
Other Players: Chanel Harris-Tavita, Freddy Lussick, Jacob Laban, Kurt Capewell, Marata Niukore, Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Taine Tuaupiki, Tanah Boyd, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Wests Tigers
Biggest Target: Lachlan Galvin
It has been well-documented Lachlan Galvil will depart the Wests Tigers at the end of his current contract, and as one of the game's brightest young talents, would be a major signing for the new club. Only 19, Galvin could still have a decade and a half in the NRL, and the prospect of building a club around a quality player for that long of a period is an incredibly enticing opportunity Perth could pursue.
Other Players: Apisai Koroisau, Jack Bird, Jahream Bula, Jarome Luai, Jeral Skelton, Luke Laulilii, Sione Fainu, Solomone Saukuru, Starford To’a, Tallyn Da Silva, Tony Sukkar (CO 2026), Lachlan Broederlow
All contract information taken from nrl.com.
CO = Club Option
