NRL signings: Perth Bears sign experienced forward

07/01/2025

The Perth Bears have made their biggest move yet, signing Bulldogs' forward Josh Curran for their inaugural season.

Curran has inked a three-year deal with the Bears to be their most experienced signing so far.

The forward has played 106 games across the Bulldogs, Warriors, and Roosters, and will form a key part of Mal Meninga's first forward pack.

Curran said the opportunity to join a new franchise was too good to ignore.

“This is an exciting opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” Curran said.

“The chance to be a part of the Bears inaugural squad, to have my name as one of their first signings is surreal.

“I’m passionate about getting out in the community and to have the opportunity to create something from the ground up that can inspire a whole state also motives me.

“This is history for our game and I’m super excited to be a part of it."

Curran is the eighth signing for Meninga's Bears, alongside Penrith's Liam Henry, Parramatta's Sean Russell, and former Bulldogs' teammates Toby Sexton and Luke Smith.

Meninga was excited to add Curran't skillset to his inaugural side.

“Josh brings a unique combination of skill and finesse with the ball along with tenacity in defence. He plays with intensity and a commitment to be make his teammates shine,” Meninga said.

“I couldn’t be more impressed with Josh off the field too. He is a leader who spends countless hours investing back into the community.

“Josh is a fantastic signing for the Bears and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with him in 2027.”

05/01/2026

The Sydney Roosters have confirmed the signing of Tommy Talau for the 2026 season.

Talau was released by the Sea Eagles at the end of the 2025 season and has landed at the Roosters to bolster their outside back depth, particularly with Mark Nawaqanitawase leaving at the end of the coming season and Daniel Tupou's retirement upcoming.

The versatile outside back is the third Sea Eagle to sign with the Roosters since October after Daly Cherry-Evans for this season, and Rueben Garrick joining in 2027.

Roosters' Head of Recruitment Joel Carbone was pleased with Talau's signing.

"Tommy's signature adds valuable depth and experience to our backline," Carbone said.

"He's a strong competitor who has shown he can perform consistently at NRL level, and we believe he'll complement the talent we already have within our squad."

He has played 83 games across centre, wing, and five-eighth.

Talau's partner, Jess Sergis, is a star of the Roosters' NRLW side.

05/01/2026

The Parramatta Eels have secured the signing of Brian Kelly after the Gold Coast Titans agreed to a release for the centre.

Kelly will join the Eels immediately on a two-year-deal and provide cover after the departure of Zac Lomax during the off-season.

It will add competition for spots in the backline, with Bailey Simonsson and Kelly likely to compete to replace Lomax.

Kelly returned to the Titans in 2019 having played his junior footy there, playing 143 games for the club.

The 29-year-old has played 190 games overall after debuting with the Sea Eagles.

The Titans confirmed Kelly's departure in a statement.

"The Titans can confirm Brian Kelly has been granted an early release from the final year of his contract to take up an opportunity with the Parramatta Eels," a Titans' statement read.

"The Titans thank Brian for his contribution over the past seven seasons and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Parramatta General Manager of Football Mark O'Neill was pleased to welcome Kelly to the club.

“We had an opportunity to strengthen our outside backs which was a positional area of need, and Brian certainly fits that need very well for us," O'Neill said.

"Jason and the coaching staff are looking forward to working with Brian who adds a greater attacking dimension to our game.

"With nearly 200 NRL games to his name, Brian’s experience will be an added benefit the broader squad."

26/12/2025

Keaon Koloamatangi will reportedly join St George Illawarra, reports Code Sports.

The report suggests that he'll join the club in 2027 on a deal worth $5 million.

The contract is now in the cooling off period, meaning he has 10 days to change his mind under NRL contract laws.

It's believed that Koloamatangi turned down approaches from the Eels as well as to remain at the Rabbitohs before choosing the Red V.

24/12/2025

The Perth Bears have confirmed the signing of Sean Russell on a four-year deal.

The Eels' outside back has played 61 games since his debut in 2021, sharing his time across centre and wing.

Russell has scored 24 tries in his career and the Eels were keen to keep the versatile outside back, but the prospect of playing for a foundation club was too great for the 23-year-old to turn down.

Initially, the Bears aimed to have 10 signings by Christmas, but Russell marks the seventh player to officially join the club alongside Liam Henry, Toby Sexton, and Harry Newman.

"There’s already a lot of excitement and anticipation about the Bears entering the NRL I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of it," Russell said.

"My focus right now remains on the Eels and giving all that I have for 2026. They have supported me throughout my career, and I am forever grateful."

Bears' head coach Mal Meninga was pleased to have Russell joining Perth's inaugural roster.

"Sean is an outstanding talent who possesses the characteristics I am looking for as we continue to build our inaugural roster," Meninga said.

"He is a proven try-scorer and a fantastic defender. I have no doubt he will be a very important piece in our roster for many years to come."

The club are also chasing Bulldogs' forward Josh Curran.

18/12/2025

The Melbourne Storm are expected to sign South Sydney prop Davvy Moale for the 2026 season after the release of Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Moale will ink a one-year deal with the Storm, before the prop joins the Manly Sea Eagles on a three-year deal in 2027; a deal that was signed back in late September, per Michael Carayannis.

Moale becomes the second player to sign a unique deal of this kind, following Jonah Pezet in October, who signed a one-year deal with the Eels before he will join the Broncos long-term.

It’s a new emerging trend of deals with the potential to give the current transfer market system a shake-up.

Standing at 186cm tall, and 112kg, Moale is shorter than the hulking size of Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who stands at two metres.

At 22, Moale has long been touted for a breakout season having impressed greatly coming through the Rabbitohs’ junior system, but a pre-season under Craig Bellamy, who is renowned for getting the best out of players, could see the prop unlock the next level to his game.

The Storm have also signed Jack Hetherington for the 2026 season after Eli Katoa was ruled out of the entire season, while Ativalu Lisati recently re-signed and the club nabbed Dolphins’ rookie Oryn Keeley for 2027. Young Titans’ prop Josiah Pahulu also joins the club.

Sua Faalogo will also get first crack at the vacant fullback role after the departure of Ryan Papenhuyzen.

The Sea Eagles were hopeful of having Moale a year early, but were unable to move a player on early, halting the move.

10/12/2025

The Perth Bears have confirmed the double signing of Liam Henry and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui for the 2027 season.

Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui will play with the Catalans Dragons in 2026, alongside new halfback Toby Sexton, before joining the Bears for 2027 and 2028.

The forward’s signing could play a key role in luring brother Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to the club, with the Titans’ star identified as a major target for the new side.

The elder Fa'asuamaleaui is able to negotiate with rivals for 2027 and looms as a potential marquee get for the Bears given his relationship with Mal Meninga.

“The Perth Bears provide an incredible opportunity for me to continue my career and play a part in building something special in Western Australia,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.

“It’s going to be good to get to play with Toby (Sexton) at Catalans and hopefully have a strong year in Super League.”

“That’s my priority right now but in 2027 I’ll be ready to give it my all for the Bears.”

Meanwhile, Liam Henry has inked a four-year deal, with the 24-year-old making the move from the Penrith Panthers.

The young prop has become a mainstay in the Panthers’ side, playing 50 games for the club, including their 2024 premiership win, and will serve as a cornerstone of the inaugural pack.

Hailing from Blayney in regional New South Wales, Henry spoke about the opportunity to carve a new legacy at a new club.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be a part of history and continue my career with the Perth Bears from 2027,” Henry said.

“It’s not every day you get the chance to be a part of a new team in a new city and it’s that opportunity that excites me the most.”

The Melbourne Storm have confirmed the signing of Dolphins' forward Oryn Keeley on a two-year deal, while the Parramatta Eels have locked up rookie fullback Isaiah Iongi on a monster contract to the end of 2030.

4/12/2025

The Sydney Roosters have confirmed the signature of Reuben Garrick from 2027.

Garrick will join the Roosters on a three-year-deal beginning next season, following good friend Daly Cherry-Evans and Tommy Talau as the latest Sea Eagle to join the club.

The Manly star has split between centre and wing over his career at the Sea Eagles, playing 157 games for the club.

The signing is crucial for the Roosters, with Kangaroos' star Mark Nawaqanitawase returning to rugby union in 2027, while questions remain over the future of Daniel Tupou, who could retire at season's end.

Garrick has scored the third most points in Manly history and holds the record for most points in a season in 2021.

"The Sydney Roosters have announced the signing of Reuben Garrick on a three-year deal commencing in 2027," a Roosters media statement read.

"Garrick will join the Roosters ahead of the 2027 pre-season, with the Club respecting his ongoing commitment to Manly in 2026, and wishing him well for the season."