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:
5. Lindsay Smith
This selection isn't as "sexy" as the others. The Panthers prop doesn't have as big of a profile as the other players on this list, but I can see it happening.
I'd be shocked if Smith wasn't selected to make his Origin debut for NSW this season. He's already bagged a Kangaroos jumper.
Smith is slowly becoming the main man for Penrith, albeit via the bench strangely.
By the time the Bears enter the competition he'll likely have a stack of Origin jumpers, an Ashes tour and the NRL experience to become a pack leader.
I've seen clubs make terrible choices by sinking mega dollars into halves who don't live up to the bill.
To go to Smith, potentially make him a leader at the club, and offer him a big salary makes a lot more sense than taking a punt on an unproven half.
I don't know if he has the profile to lead the marketing campaigns when it comes to inaugural memberships but I'd be very disappointed if his name wasn't being floated.
Penrith will want to keep their young star but we've seen that raids on the Panthers stocks can be successful.
With a blank cheque book, a starting spot and potentially a leadership role on offer, the Bears would be an ideal landing spot for the future rep regular.
