Billy Moore, a North Sydney Bears legend, has encouraged the new Perth NRL franchise to prioritise building a solid forward pack before spending heavily on high-profile players. With Mal Meninga confirmed as the inaugural coach for the 2027 season, Moore advocates for a strategic approach in roster construction, emphasising the importance of strength in the middle rather than just chasing marquee players with hefty price tags.
Moore reflects on the challenges faced by the Dolphins, who struggled to attract top talent despite having Wayne Bennett as coach. Notable players like Kalyn Ponga and Cameron Munster opted out of joining their ranks, yet Moore sees this as a guiding lesson for the Bears to focus on the fundamental aspects of the game initially. He attributes much of the Dolphins’ eventual success to securing tough, reliable forwards like the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi rather than solely focusing on flashy names.
He insists, “To succeed, we need to win the middle,” indicating that quality forwards are essential to a successful squad. Moore highlights players of the calibre of Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as crucial targets, asserting that acquiring one of the top ten front-rowers could significantly benefit the Bears. He envisions a team built around a core of capable and rugged players, with the potential to later integrate star players to enhance the squad’s performance.
Corey Parker, another league legend, supports Moore’s perspective, pointing out Ponga’s Western Australian roots as a possible selling point for the franchise. The key will be assessing player availability and the potential ripple effect of signing a star due to their influence and appeal to other players.
Both Parker and Moore acknowledge the difficulty the Dolphins had in landing high-profile signings during their inception. However, they express optimism that Meninga’s credentials could facilitate a better outcome for the Bears in recruiting established stars. Additionally, the upcoming availability of quality halfbacks including Jahrome Hughes and Sandon Smith presents further options for Meninga as he shapes the team’s future.
With the new franchise set to make its debut in a few years, both figures stress the significance of a balanced recruitment strategy that prioritises foundational hard work and resilience in the early stages, paving the way for future success in the NRL landscape.