Player agents survey: Managers will send players to expansion clubs Perth and PNG

The clock is ticking for the 17 NRL clubs to lock down their best talent with leading player agents revealing they are willing to facilitate a bidding war with the new expansion teams.

Perth’s bid to hit the ground running when they enter the NRL in 2027 has received a significant boost after an overwhelming majority of player agents revealed they would be more than happy to send their players to the game’s newest franchise.

All but one of the more than 50 agents who took part in an exclusive Code Sports survey said they would be happy to talk to Perth as the Bears prepare for their entry into the premiership.

There was support also for the Papua New Guinea franchise, who will enter the premiership a year later in 2028.

Despite having no board, chief executive, coach or football staff in place, more than 75 per cent of agents said they would advocate for a player to join the PNG side, bursting the myth that the new side would have trouble attracting players to join them when they hit the market in just over a year.

The agents also backed plans for the PNG franchise to be armed with financial incentives to help attract players — nearly 60 per cent said players should receive tax benefits for joining the new club.

The more immediate concern for the NRL is the Perth franchise, who unveiled their new chief executive — editor-in-chief of Seven West Anthony De Ceglie — on Thursday and will hit the player market on November 1.

The appointment of a coach is believed to be only days away as well — Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, South Sydney legend Sam Burgess and former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur are in the mix — and one of their first orders of business will be to find the players to ensure they are competitive from day dot.

They only have months to get themselves in position to attack the player market given they will be free to open talks with players who enter the final year of their contracts on November 1.

The Bears are preparing to announce their foundation coach, with former Parramtta Eels mentor Brad Arhur among the leading contenders. Picture: Getty Images

As it stands, a slew of high-profile players could be up for grabs on that date including the likes of Melbourne duo Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen, Brisbane prop Payne Haas, Canterbury pair Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney, North Queensland sensation Jaxon Purdue, South Sydney’s Jye Gray and Manly brothers Tom and Jake Trbojevic.

Their current clubs have less than six months to lock them away or find themselves in a potential bidding war with the new franchise.

If the agents are any indication, Perth will enter those talks with a fighting chance given the vast majority would have no qualms taking their players to WA.

The new franchise will be armed with a war chest given they are starting from scratch and their priority will no doubt be to sign some high-profile players capable of putting the new side on the map in AFL territory.

A host of high-profile players could be targeted by the Bears, including Melbourne Storm duo Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen. Picture: Getty Images

The other key will be to ensure they have a spine capable of being competitive, hence the anticipated interest in the likes of Hughes and Papenhuyzen.

The bad news for Perth is that Hughes is believed to be on the verge extending his contract with the Storm beyond the end of 2026, taking him off the market. His future though is expected to have ramifications for fellow Storm half Jonah Pezet, who has an understanding that he can explore the market if Hughes extends his current deal.

Pezet is regarded as one of the best young halves in the NRL but has had his path to first grade blocked by Hughes and Cameron Munster.

Originally published as Player agents survey: Managers will send players to expansion clubs Perth and PNG