Parker: The NRL has let the Perth Bears down

The Perth Bears are less than 12 months away from their NRL debut.

Yet, despite all the excitement of their impending entry, Corey Parker is convinced that they will not make any meaningful impact in 2027.

With their expansion counterpart, the PNG Chiefs, confirming they’ve signed Jarome Luai for their first season, the Bears’ struggles in recruitment have become a big discussion point.

Despite their best efforts to land players like Cam Munster, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Jayden Campbell, they have been unable to land a big-name player that can cut through the AFL-dominated market of Western Australia.

Couple that with the departure of their General Manager of Football, David Sharpe, last week and there are growing concerns around the side.

This now leads Parker to believe that the Bears will struggle to gain traction on the field thanks to the NRL’s lack of support.

“I can't fathom how (the) Perth Bears can make any sort of ripple in the water next year,” Parker told SENQ Breakfast.

“At this point in time, (they’ve got) 18 members signed on contract for next year.

“Still yet, no big fish, no game breakers.

“That's no disrespect to the players that have signed, that’s nothing against them.

“But the NRL, I think have a lack of support for the Perth Bears.

“As it is right now, they have a CEO (Anthony De Ceglie), Ben Gardiner, who's an assistant coach, who, I must say, was not appointed by Mal Meninga (head coach).

“The GM of football (David) Sharpe left last week.

“Now, commercially, they have a great deal of money in terms of their sponsors. Five to six million (dollars) is what I believe their jerseys are worth there (in sponsorship).

“But as a football side, we cannot have a team over there in the west, particularly when now there's the PNG Chiefs coming in the year after, fail.”

Parker also believes that the coaching appointment of Meninga, who hasn’t coached an NRL side since 2001, will see them struggle despite his coaching experience at the representative level.

“I love Mal Meninga for everything he is and what he's been able to provide to this football game,” he continued.

“(But he) hasn't coached a week in, week out club side (since) I couldn't tell you when. That's how long ago it was.

“He's coached representative sides in short spaces, he's coached Origin in short spaces, but week in and week out, coaching is completely different.

“So, throw all that into the mix, I cannot see how the Perth Bears can make a big ripple.

“The NRL, I think have really let them down in this area and they've let the rugby league community down.”