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Find your Sport Nation frequencyVoss: The first key signing the Perth Bears must make
Nicholas Quinlan • May 9th, 2025 10:43 am
Andrew Voss believes that the Perth Bears should spare no time in trying to bring in Melbourne Storm GM of Football, Frank Ponissi, to help build their squad.
This comes fresh off the news yesterday that the ARLC and WA Government had completed their agreement for the NRL’s 18th license to be awarded to the Perth Bears.
Most of the conversation so far around the Bears has been about the players and the coaches that they could sign.
But Voss thinks that their focus should be on sorting out their off-field staff first, with Ponissi being the first appointment.
“One person said to me yesterday, the first signing for Perth…Frank Ponissi,” Voss said on SEN 1170’s Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy.
“And you say to Frank, here’s an open cheque book; it’s all yours.
“You put this together; You do the lot, the coach; everything.
“So, Frank Ponissi is your Phil Gould head of football arrangement. First signing before the coach, you give him the reins.”
If the Bears were able to sign Ponissi, it would be a huge deal for the side.
Ponissi has been an integral piece to the Melbourne Storm jigsaw, having been the General Manager of Football since the end of 2007.
In that time, he has been a part of three premierships that the Storm has won, alongside the eight grand finals appearances they have made during that 18-year period.
His involvement in helping develop junior pathways within Victoria for Rugby League would also be of assistance to the NRL to help develop similar pathways for Western Australia.
However, given that he has signed a five-year extension with the Storm in 2024, which will take him through to 2029, it does appear unlikely that he would leave his post.
Although the Bears would not be the first side that have tried to prise Ponissi out of the Storm.
In fact, an approach was made by the Collingwood Magpies at the end of last year for its General Manager of Football position, according to multiple reports, just showing how well regarded he is.
