The Perth Bears have officially unveiled their first major signings, with Toby Sexton and Harry Newman taking two-year deals in a huge boost for the club ahead of its NRL entry in 2027.
It’s been a slow burn for the new franchise as they try to land top talent for their inaugural season, but they now have a solid halfback and an English international to build around.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Toby and Harry to the Perth Bears in what is a truly historic day for our club,” Bears coach Mal Meninga said.
“Both players have all the attributes and qualities I’m looking for when building out our roster.
“Toby is a proven leader that works hard to make his teammates better.
“He is a quality person who I know will make the most of the opportunity to be a trailblazer for the Perth Bears.
“Harry is a Test player who has been a part of the successful Leeds Rhinos system for several years.
“He has the skillset and experience to make an immediate impact in the NRL and I’m really excited to see what he can do when gets here in 2027.”
Sexton is off to Catalans in the Super League for one season after he led the Bulldogs to the top of the table in 2025, only to lose his spot in the team when Lachlan Galvin was signed.
There was a perception he didn’t have the attacking nous needed to take them all the way to a premiership, but he’ll get the chance to prove them wrong when he returns to the NRL.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural Perth Bears roster,” Sexton said.
“To be one of the Bears’ first signings is something I’m grateful for. I’m excited for the opportunity and honoured to represent the people of Western Australia”.
Newman brings plenty of experience from the English Super League, with the centre recently playing in the third Ashes Test against Australia.
“It’s always been my ambition to test myself in the NRL and I’m delighted to have the chance to do it with the Perth Bears,” he said.
“It’s a huge honour to be one of the Bears’ first signings and help create a legacy for Rugby League in Western Australia”.
The next step for the Bears is to land marquee talent after missing out on a couple of targets, with the likes of Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui likely to feature at the top of their hit list.
“There is a lot of great talent on the market and I’m confident our strategy and recruitment pitch will appeal to players looking at the opportunities Perth and Western Australia can provide,” Perth Bears general manager of football David Sharpe said, confirming that his club was in the process of building a roster that will be able to compete from the moment they join in 2027.
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