The Perth Bears are red-hot favourites to land versatile playmaker Tyran Wishart, with the expansion club heavily linked to the 26-year-old after he was released by the Melbourne Storm earlier this week.
Wishart and Nick Meaney were both flagged as departing Storm players in a release shared by the Melbourne club on Friday. Meaney has already been announced as Perth signing for the 2027 NRL season.
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Storm chief executive Justin Rodski thanked both on their way out, dubbing them “fantastic contributors” and hinting that the chances both were offered — The Sporting Base understands nothing is formally signed yet, but it’s likely not too far away for Wishart’s party — were too good to ignore.
“It’s always difficult to lose people of the calibre of Nick and Tyran but we understand their decision given the opportunity in front of each,” Rodski said. “We know both players will be looking to finish their time in purple on the best possible note and will be fully focused on the task at hand.”
Wishart was already linked to the Bears, but things are only going to get louder now until a deal is closed out by the expansion side in coming weeks.
The expectation is that Wishart will take up the no.9 jersey on the west coast (that’s what he’s been offered, at least) but could play five-eighth alongside Toby Sexton if Mal Meninga and Perth find another hooker.
Meaney, meanwhile, can play wing or centre as required, and will likely be the club’s first-choice kicker in ‘27.
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Meaney played 94 games for the Storm, scoring 38 tries and kicking at 76% in his four-year tenure. Wishart could also take the tee as needed; he stepped in for the Storm in several games and shot 17/22.
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The Bears squad is slowly coming together, with other standout pickups including Sexton, who will play halfback, and lock Josh Curran. Sean Russell and Englishman Harry Newman should play in the centres.
Premiership-winning prop Liam Henry will be leading the first Perth pack.
