Although a formal announcement is yet to be made, the Bears are back!

Perth are set to become the NRL's 18th team (with PNG entering after) and will enter the competition in 2027.

With Brad Arthur set to be named coach of the Perth Bears, the attention will soon turn to shaping a player roster for their opening season.

A huge part of capturing the Perth fan base will be landing a big name signing. A marquee man to plaster all over billboards, membership flyers and e-mail marketing campaigns.

We saw the Dolphins struggle to land a marquee man up front. They went in hard for the likes of Kalyn Ponga, and although they ended up landing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, it was a slow process.

Perth's focus should be to put together a complete NRL squad capable of competing for Finals, obviously, but they also need to make a big splash early.

It would be very easy to come here and just list the biggest names off contract.

I've already seen half of Melbourne's spine linked to the Bears, but let's face it, it's highly unlikely names like Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen move from the Storm at the peak of their powers.

Below are five players I can genuinely see making the move. Be it for opportunity, money, lifestyle or just where they're at in their career.

Below are five, realistic, options to become the Bears marquee signing:

3. Sandon Smith

My belief is that Sandon Smith and Sam Walker are the future of the Sydney Roosters.

Daly Cherry-Evans is still yet to sign a contract from the 2026 season, with the Roosters heavily linked to the superstar seven.

You'd have to imagine these two events couldn't co-exist.

If the Roosters do decide to partner DCE with Walker, then Sam Walker suddenly becomes the perfect target for the Bears.

There's every chance, like we saw with the Dolphins, that the Bears will be unable to land a massive name half.

They'll, again like with the Dolphins, then have to look at younger options with huge upside.

Sandon Smith can be the Bears version of Isaiya Katoa, albeit with a huge advantage when it comes to NRL experience.

Smith was magnificent on Anzac Day and looks every bit the future star playmaker.

Being forced to sit behind Cherry-Evans for two years though could see a relationship sour with the Roosters.

Perth should absolutely have his name on their recruitment wish board.