Perth Bears Rule Out Immediate Pursuit of Cameron Munster

Perth Bears officials have confirmed that Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster is not an immediate recruitment target, despite his presence in Perth this weekend for an NRL match. This clarification comes as the club continues to finalize its inaugural roster for the 2025 season.

Munster, recovering ahead of schedule from knee surgery, is slated to play for the Storm against the Manly Sea Eagles. While contracted to Melbourne through 2024, the Storm granted him permission to engage with the PNG Chiefs, an unusual step that has fueled speculation about his future Munster granted permission.

Bears coach Mal Meninga explicitly stated that there has been no contact between his club and Munster’s representatives no one's reached out to us. NRL regulations prohibit clubs from approaching players in the final year of their contract without prior club permission, a condition not met in Munster's case for the Bears at this time.

Roster Construction Focuses Elsewhere

The Bears' immediate recruitment strategy centers on other high-profile players. They have engaged in discussions with Parramatta prop Junior Paulo, a conversation still described as “live” by Bears general manager Gareth Holmes meeting with Junior in Sydney. Paulo is viewed as a valuable asset both on and off the field.

The club recently secured English international Morgan Smithies from Canberra on a three-year deal Smithies' signature. Smithies joins a growing contingent of England Test players, including Harry Newman, James McDonnell, and Mikolaj Oledzki, who have committed to the Perth franchise. Smithies expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, calling it “a new chapter for my family” new chapter for my family.

With Smithies’ signing, the Bears have now confirmed 25 players for their roster. The club has faced some criticism for not securing a 'marquee' signing akin to those often seen in Major League Rugby coverage, but Meninga remains focused on building a cohesive team Major League Rugby coverage.

Looking Beyond Initial Recruitment

While Munster is not currently on the Bears’ radar, the situation could evolve if the club retains salary cap space when he becomes a free agent. His current contract with the Storm runs until the end of 2024, making him eligible for open market negotiations later this year.

Meninga maintains a pragmatic approach to team building, emphasizing control over controllable factors in high-performance sport control what you can control. This philosophy guides the Bears' strategy as they continue to build a competitive squad for their inaugural season, prioritizing availability and suitable player profiles.