The three players Keary would sign for the Bears

Luke Keary has named three players that the Perth Bears should look at signing for their inaugural squad.

After the opening of the signings window on November 1, the Mal Meninga-led side has made seven signings, with former Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton and Leeds Rhino centre Harry Newman being the most notable signings so far.

With still 23 spots to fill on their main NRL roster, the former Souths and Sydney five-eighth feels that the signing of Newman shows that potentially signing players from the Super League could prove to be an effective strategy for what will be the 18th NRL team.

“They are going to have to think outside the square, and that's (the Super League) a logical place to go,” Keary explained on SEN 1170’s Boys of Summer.

“A lot of those English boys, they all want to come to the NRL…Perth is not as far for them (in comparison to Sydney or Brisbane), and it’s a great opportunity to get into the NRL and play.

“I’ve spoken to a few people over there that say there is a few boys they are looking at.

“It will be really interesting to see how he (Newman) goes. He’s a steady centre. You look at our top-line centres, and they are not of that same class (referring to Newman).

“But in saying that, he gets over there and gets an NRL preseason and gets some experience, he’s still young, and we’ll see how he goes.

While the opportunity of bringing in some of the best players of the Super League could help find some diamonds in the rough, Keary also thinks they should copy what the Dolphins did when they joined the NRL in 2023 and look to bring some veteran experience.  

“I feel like (what) the Dolphins did (was) really smart (by singing) Felise (Kaufusi), the Bromwich brothers which held them up in the middle,” he added.

“(Mark) Nicholls, who played front row and everyone questioned it (their signing approach).

“And then they found the (Isaiya) Katoa, Herbie (Farnworth), (Thomas) Flegler. They had these guys, and I feel like they (the Bears) are going to have find them (the experienced players).

“One that comes straight to mind is Cam McInnes. A bit forgotten, had the ACL this year, but just that tough…he’ll teach them to be first graders. He’ll be the club captain (and) be great for them.

“Another one, which is a similar vein, Kurt Mann (who is) off contract with the Bulldogs.

“Probably similar to Cam (in) that lock position, but same thing. Tough, teach them how to train, teach them how to play tough, they will be in every game with those guys.

“I reckon a left field one, and there has been a bit of chatter about him, Matt Burton.

“The Dogs have a few questions there in the halves, I know he is on until ’27, but he would be a big kill for them.”

The Bears will have their roster completed by the time they debut in the NRL for the 2027 season.