Mal Meninga addresses critics over Bears appointment: 13th Immortal reveals plans to talk to Phil Gould and Frank Ponissi
Having last coached a first-grade side in 2001, Mal Meninga’s appointment at the Bears has stirred more than a few critics. However, a couple of key appointments can go a long way towards silencing them, writes DAVID RICCIO.
NRL
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At one stage during Friday’s press conference, when Mal Meninga was formally announced as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears, the 13th Immortal showed just how keen he was for the huge job.
“I’m a big bear,” Meninga said, while wearing a fluffy grey jumper and with his huge arms raised and hands curled like claws.
The 64-year-old’s impromptu bear impersonation prompted a chuckle from NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and the press gang.
Gags aside, there are more than a few critics across the game that have watched the appointment of Big Mal to lead the NRL’s 18th team in 2027 with consternation.
They’re the same critics that have been whispering down phone lines all week, asking how Meninga will handle the vicious daily grind of an NRL season, having last coached a first grade side, the Canberra Raiders, to nine wins and a draw from 26 games in 2001.
It was a time when John Howard was the Prime Minister, It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy dominated the airwaves and the first Lord of the Rings movie hit cinemas.
Meninga had presided over Canberra for five mixed seasons, originally appointed during the Super League war of 1997.
He then coached Queensland in State of Origin between 2006 and 2015 before taking over as Test coach in 2016.
The self-proclaimed Big Bear returns to the NRL hot seat with many believing his billboard status and his ability to captivate the Perth fan base, and so too win the war with the local media, merely by his presence, is why the NRL have placed him in charge of the start-up franchise.
This column put the almighty challenge, including the vast differences in long pressure between coaching an NRL team to coaching Queensland or Australia, to Meninga on Friday.
“You learn lessons along the way. I’ve been in that (NRL) environment for a long period of time and in recent times, behind the scenes (Raiders ambassador and mentor) as well,” Meninga said.
“I understand the enormity of it all and I believe I’m up for it.
“And I love to prove people wrong as well.”
Meninga says that he can’t recruit a player until the Perth Bears board of directors are appointed, which is expected to be announced this week.
In the meantime, he admits he has already begun scouring the list of players off-contract at the end of 2026 and available from this November 1, of whom he is free to sign for the 2027 season.
Meninga knows too, what the rest of the game knows.
That his coaching staff, head of recruitment and general manager of football, are likely to prove more important and influential to any player the Perth Bears can attract.
If his critics are questioning how Meninga will handle his return to the NRL coaches box after 26-years, he can silence them with his most key appointments.
It’s been suggested that, due to the rise of the Bulldogs under the cunning leadership of GM of football Phil Gould and so too, the stunning consistency and guidance over the past 18-years, of Storm GM of football Frank Ponissi, that Meninga should target the duo to help launch the Bears.
Meninga confirmed he intends to meet with both Gould and Ponissi – not to sign them – but to ask them what it is that makes a successful roster.
“I’ll go talk to them,” Meninga said.
“Not about coming over. Frank was part of the Melbourne set-up and Gus (Gould) has done it at a couple of clubs.
“I know Frank really well. He’s a great man who will give me some really sage advice.”
Meninga has a close relationship with Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook, having spent time together at the Titans when the latter was head coach and Meninga, the high performance senior adviser.
Meninga wouldn’t confirm his interest in acquiring Holbrook for the Bears.
“This is bigger than me,” Meninga said.
“This new pioneering venture over to WA. The opportunity to be involved in the growth of the game over there. The opportunity to grow a club the Perth Bears over there is too good to refuse.
“I feel very honoured, very nervous, I think it is a huge responsibility. But I believe I am up for it.”
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