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"People make things up": Meninga blows up at rumour mill
SEN • August 21st, 2025 4:52 pm
Another week, another list of NRL players being linked with a move to the Perth Bears and Mal Meninga is growing tired of the constant fabrication.
Panthers' second rower Scott Sorensen and Broncos' prop Ben Talty are the two latest names tipped to initiate conversations with the NRL’s newest franchise.
But is there any truth to the whispers?
“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?”
The Bears are prohibited from holding talks with players until November 1, a fact Meninga believes the media seem to have forgotten.
Since being announced as the club’s inaugural coach, batting off rumoured talks with players has become a near daily occupation for the immortal.
“It’s difficult to keep the news out of the media,” he said. “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.”
And the Bears are not limiting their search to Australian shores. Super League and rugby union will be a happy hunting ground in months to come.
Asked if there were players overseas he wanted to hold meetings with, Meninga joked: “s---loads.
“What do you want me to say? Of course there are.”
