Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has put himself in the running for the head coaching job at the NRL’s latest expansion franchise the Perth Bears.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
Brad Arthur is reportedly the favourite to be the inaugural coach of the Bears in 2027, but Meninga has thrown his hat in the ring.
Daily Telegraph journalist Brent Read confirmed Meninga is keen to coach the Bears in their inaugural season in 2027.
“We’re all wondering who’s going to coach the Perth Bears, we’ve heard Brad Arthur, we’ve heard Sam Burgess, well I can tell you Mal Meninga has thrown his hat in the ring to coach the Perth Bears,” Read said on NRL 360.
“I spoke to Mal this arvo. He’s very interested in the job. He said it’s a serious consideration for me if I’m in the mix for that job.”
Robbo calls out Knights over Young drama | 05:27
Braith Anasta asked what the Bears job would mean for Meninga’s Kangaroos coaching gig.
“Well, I think he would inevitably give that away,” Read said.
“If it meant he got the Perth Bears head coaching job, I think Mal would reluctantly stand down from the Australian job. That was the impression I got.
“I think he’d be amazing over there because of his profile. I mean, that club needs to hit the ground running.
“They need some profile on their coach, and there’s not many bigger profiles in the game than Mal Meninga.”
MORE NRL NEWS
TEAM TIPS: Madge’s big Mam call made easy after ugly Broncos injury blow
TALKERS: DCE called out over damaging whispers; Kev warning as Broncos implode
HOOPS: How Latrell answered Laurie’s Origin call; Billy’s brutal halves dilemma
Gorden Tallis believes the Bears need a big name like Meninga to help build the brand from day one in Perth.
“When the AFL came into Brisbane they put a big name there in Leigh Matthews (a decade after the team was founded) and that’s what you need,” Tallis said.
“You need a face to sell the game. If he’s got the assistants Meninga is the face they need.”
Read believes the Bears should follow the lead of the GWS, who picked Kevin Sheedy to coach their inaugural team.
“That’s the greatest example, Kevin Sheedy at GWS, everyone knew who they were,” Read said.
“Now no one knows who GWS is. But when Sheedy was there, they were huge. Well not huge but they made an impression.”
Ref catches Cowboys wetting ball in ET | 00:25
However, Anasta believes Meninga has some ground to make up, given Arthur is the favourite to land the job.
“But really, he’s behind the eight-ball here because Brad Arthur is expected to get it and Sam Burgess is in the running,” Anasta said.
“Have you heard any mail on where we’re at with this?”
Read believes it won’t take long for a decision on a new coach with Peter V’landys already meeting with Bears officials over a potential coach.
“Sam Burgess is well and truly in the mix,” Read said.
“I’ve heard that they had a meeting actually today, the Perth Bears. I’m not sure who’s exactly on the committee that’s setting up.
“Obviously, Peter V’landys is one of the guys that had a meeting today. I think they plotted the path forward.
Fan’s awkward selfie moment with Tigers | 00:44
“It’s going to be a quick decision. That’s not going to take a lot of time, but Brad Arthur’s obviously in the box seat at the moment, because he’s been the bloke for a while now, and I think he’s got his nose well and truly in front, but I think they’re going to go through a process.”
Read put forward the potential for Burgess to work under Meninga for a couple of years before taking the head coaching job, similar to Wayne Bennett and Kristian Woolf at the Dolphins.
“I think Meninga could take the job and then Burgess could work as his assistant and be ready to take over in couple of years,” Read said.
However, Anasta believes Burgess may have his eyes on the South Sydney job by then, but Read believes the Rabbitohs are keen to re-sign Bennett with an extension.
“Souths are keen to extend Bennett’s deal,” Read said.
