The Perth Bears have managed 13 signatures to date, but with none for more than a month, anxiety is building around who may be next, and what they will need in 2027 to be competitive.
Mal Meninga has made it clear the expansion outfit will not rush the process of bringing players to the club, but by the same token, more faces will only help their push to recruit.
Their misses - having chased Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Cameron Munster - will be felt in a big way.
There has been speculation in recent times around Siosifa Talakai and Billy Burns relocating from the Sharks, and while the duo would help, there are plenty of other names the Bears are surely locked in discussions with.
Here are the five players they must look to sign next.
» Players off-contract at the end of 2026
» Perth Bears signing tracker
5. John Bateman
This is the left-field option on the list, no doubt about it.
Able to play on the edge and in the middle, Bateman could be looking for another new home at the end of 2026.
His form during his first NRL stint at the Raiders proves exactly how good he can be, but he hasn't quite managed to realise that during his second stint, with time spent at the Wests Tigers and now North Queensland Cowboys.
With the Cowboys likely preparing for a clean out, it's hard to see Bateman remaining in Townsville beyond the end of 2026, and a move across the country could be the best thing for his playing career.
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