The Perth Bears are preparing for their entry into the NRL in 2027, and the early recruitment picture shows some promise, but mostly urgency.
With 16 signings already secured, the club is laying foundations, but it is still without a true marquee name and lacks a clear veteran figure to lead its inaugural squad.
For a new franchise entering a rugby league landscape dominated in Western Australia by the AFL, the Bears' first year will be critical.
Here are six players off contract at the end of 2026 who could elevate the Bears whilst helping shape their club's identity.
2027 NRL signing and best 19 tracker
2. Damien Cook (Dragons)
Damien Cook could be an ideal short-term stabiliser for an expansion side entering the competition. With nearly 250 NRL games, along with State of Origin and international experience for New South Wales and Australia, he brings proven quality, composure, and leadership at hooker.
Rather than being a long-term piece of the puzzle, Cook's value would come in immediately, locking down the No.9 role at a high standard during the Bears' formative seasons.
There's also a natural fit in the idea that Cook could see out the final stage of his career on the west coast, providing the Bears with an experienced No.9 to guide the side through its earliest years before eventually handing over to a long-term option in either someone like Mitch Kenny or Connor Watson.
I suspect Kurt Mann and Damien Cook are just a year or two too old.
Cobbo would be a classy pick up and at the same time a good long-term purchase.
Connor Tracy was a utility at Cronulla, and is worth recruiting for his versatility, as well as his ability as a full-back.
Current Cronulla fullback William Kennedy is at least as good as Tracy, and recruiting him as well as Tracy would would ensure quality depth in a spine position.