Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Grizzwolds

What a big week for the Bears. If we weren't signing players, we were copping heat off the back of the Chiefs going after another high profile player demanding an over-inflated contract while drawing over-inflated praise.

The Perth Bears added Junior Paulo and Morgan Smithies (while also announcing Jack Cole after our record). The club also made. the Tyson Smoothy news official.

We've been linked to Tigers half Adam Douehi, which is met with mixed reviews.

CHAPTERS

4:00 - Adam Douehi links

14:00 - Morgan Smithies and Junior Paulo join Tyson Smoothy

22:00 - We've signed Jope (JayKay) Rauqe from the Dogs

23:45 - Ben Gardiner interviewed for the Dragons coaching job

29:30 - Our Best 19s

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The Perth Bears have reportedly landed two players from Brisbane's 2025 premiership-winning team, Gehamat Shibasaki and Tyson Smoothy. Plus, we've been linked to a few other more-than-handy middle forwards in Moses Leota, Junior Paulo and Morgan Smithies. Fair to say it's been a big start to the week.

We unpack all the latest roster move in detail and tell everyone what we think.

Chapters:

1:00 - Let's just lean into this new team rivalry with PNG

3:30 - I think we've found an enforcer in Liam Henry

7:45 - We've reportedly signed Tyson Smoothy

17:00 - Two-year Shibasaki deal is done

23:45 - Links to Moses Leota, Junior Paulo and Morgan Smithies

30:00 - Recapping, the Bears roster looks more complete now

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

It's been another big week for the NRL club not yet playing any games.

Foundation memberships officially landed on the day this podcast was released, which is big news for all the hardcore fans.

In good news, the club has reportedly secured Jamie Humphreys on a three-year deal. He's an excellent pickup.

And the rumblings surrounding Matt Burton won't go away. So here are the latest bits and pieces doing the rounds in Dubbo, where the Burtons are from. And it's juicy.

Chapters:

1:00 - Memberships launched

5:00 - Jamie Humphreys on a three-year deal

11:20 - The new Matt Burton links

18:00 - We miss out on Cam McInnes

20:45 - Tyson Smoothy linked to the Bears

27:00 - Leeds Rhinos lose

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Most people think the Perth Bears need help. That we haven't signed anyone of note. That we're heading sharply towards a wooden spoon in 2027. And that the NRL needs to step in. But it's not that simple.

Also, is Ben Ikin genuinely a possibility to take a big role in Perth?

The name Luke Metcalf is getting thrown around - should we be interested and is he a good fit?

Chapters:

1:30 - Whispers about the away jersey

3:30 - Ben Ikin leaving QRL

6:30 - Do the Perth Bears need help... and more publicity?

12:30 - Our roster-building concessions

14:00 - Cam McInnes talk

15:30 - Reported friction between Meninga and Gardiner

19:30 - New signings to be announced soon

23:30 - The Matt Burton thing is falling into place

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Well, what a week. And, let's be honest, none of it was the club's doing. PNG landed a big fish, and all of a sudden, the Perth Bears pile on went into overdrive. It's a case of Perth-ception vs. Reality. So where do we come down?

Also, we have our very guest! Sam Wykes played 87 games for the Western Force and joined the show to offer his unique insight into the challenges involved in relocating to Perth and the types of issues the Perth Bears will need to be across when players uproot their lives to the West.

Chapters:

1:45 - The Bears 'bad' week and how PNG's big Jarome Luai coup has altered perception ('Perth-ception') around the Bears and their roster

5:45 - Lucrative pay vs opportunity and how our recruitment philosophies are unique

8:00 - There's a lot of Moneyball in what we've done with our roster so far

12:25 - Sam Wykes joins to provide insight around relocating to Perth and the challenges for not just players but their families

25:30 - Does Sam buy our supposed Central West NSW nucleus?

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Well, what a week. It contained good, bad and ugly.

We need to be blunt about Sharpe's departure - after reports of boardroom tension, David Sharpe exits. So what's it all mean?

The NRL's other new team PNG had Jarome Luai visit over the weekend - are they winning the hypothetical PR battle of the new teams right now?

And it's reported that Bulldogs rising star Jonathan Sua has signed a four-year deal with the Bears amid his 250-metre breakout game in Brisbane.

Chapters:

2:30 - GM David Sharpe departs after only joining the club a matter of months ago, which threatens to cause instability and mismanagement of football-related matters

11:00 - PNG are circling Jarome Luai and appear to be winning the PR battle right now. But what do we make of how it's going over there?

17:30 - We've signed Apa Twidle on a three-year deal. Love this.

20:00 - What do we make of the Kit Laulili'i signing?

21:00 - Jonathan Sua signs a four-year deal. Huge.

24:30 - Luke Laulili'i is in strong form

28:00 - A recap of the Leeds v Catalans game from last weekend, involving plenty of future Bears

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

There has (apparently) been a bit made about our extra travel considerations and how things might logistically look. So is there cause for concern?

We also thought it was worth covering the recently-launched Bear Tracks Academy and the tangible goals the club has in place.

We bring back a round of 3,2,1s featuring linked or contracted Bears playing elsewhere this season, a convo that included Brodie Croft, Toby Sexton, Charlie Staines, Josh Curran and Tyran Wishart.

Chapters:

4:00 - Merch release

9:30 - Travel concerns

15:30 - Our Bear Tracks Academy

20:00 - Players of note dominating - or participating in - the Super League right now

27:30 - Poor Josh Curran

30:00 - Tyran Wishart's the man

32:30 - Are we closer to a marquee yet?

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Well it was a dramatic week for the Perth Bears! Our CEO and GM are reportedly butting heads, culminating in a board meeting last Friday to attempt to resolve tension. We unpack it on the show and point to what's really going on.

There was Rugby league in Perth last weekend, with a doule-header at Optus Stadium, where plenty of seats were left vacant. What's that mean?

And reports would indicate that Matt Burton's camp and the Bulldogs have begun extension talks. But we're not buying it for a second.

Chapters:

03:57 - The spectacle at Optus Stadium and whether any other League games should be scheduled there

9:50 - Boardroom tension between the CEO and GM and how this has come about

19:12 - The recruitment strategy and the rhetoric around it

23:10 - What we can learn from Scott Drinkwater's contract talks and how it relates to Matt Burton

We kick things off with our thoughts on the Perth Bears mascot being announced, then dive into the show.

There are reports that three key Bears signings have player options in their favour, which will impact our roster management from as soon as 2028. Spoiler: it's Wishart, Henry and Curran.

Mitch then has a man-crush on Mikolaj Oledski.

Then we race through some players that have been linked to the club and make calls on whether we'd like the Bears to sign them or not.

Chapters

• 01:00 Kodi the Bear
• 06:00 Early Exit Clauses in Player Contracts (Wishart, Henry and Curran)
• 13:00 Mikolaj Oledski's Growing Credentials
• 17:00 Learning Experiences for Sean Russell and Luke Laulili'i on Easter Monday
• 21:30 We race through players that have been linked to the Bears and play a game of 'Would You' (sign them?). Names featured:
• 22:00 Charlie Staines
• 24:00 Brodie Croft
• 28:00 Jaydn Sua
• 30:30 Jamie Humphries

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

We reveal some signing scoops and discuss whispers surrounding Jake Averillo, Matt Burton, Connor Watson, Arama Hau and Jonathan Sua. We also assess recruit Toby Sexton's current form in the Super League, which is cause for concern, and unpack the mess at Manly and the type of dysfunction we need to avoid as an aligned club in the west.

Chapters

• 1:00 - Noah Johannssen :(
• 3:00 - Perth Bears inaugural jersey release
• 5:00 - Toby Sexton's worrying form
• 8:00 - The self-inflicted mess at the Sea Eagles and a good example of what mistakes the Bears can't afford to make
• 20:00 - News and murmours around Jake Averillo, Matt Burton, Connor Watson, Arama Hau and Jonathan Sua

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

We are the Grizzwolds! This is a Perth Bears podcast. We're independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

We delve into recruitment targets and recent signings, unpack whether the struggles of the Western Force impact the Bears, dive into the seeminly strong Central West NSW connections and speculate on who the recruiting team should target next.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introducing the Grizzwolds Grizzly Lifelongers
• 10:44 Financial Struggles of the Western Force
• 18:24 Central West Connections and Recruitment Strategy
• 23:32 Country Players and Recruitment
• 30:15 Recruitment Strategy for Outside Backs
• 36:10 Importance of Yardage Wingers
• 42:07 Identifying Potential Recruits

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player.

We are the Grizzwolds! Grizzly lifelongers … a dysfunctional family and community … a Perth Bears podcast. We're independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

For Ep 1: We pop straight into it, unpacking Bulldogs dominoes and how they relate to Matt Burton, a key target. We also try to define a 'marquee' player, given it's been a recruitment talking point. We also hand out some 3,2,1's to Bears-contracted players that have started their seasons (still with other clubs) well and dive into the club's recruitment efforts so far.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player.

Un-freaking-believable. A player we were incredibly excited to secure has opted to make an 11th hour backflip on the Perth Bears. So why did Jamie Humphreys lead us on and then bail at the last minute?

We unpack the mess from every angle and then try to clean up the mess by pitching off-contract players that could fill holes in both the halves, but also at lock where we projected Humphreys to play... names like Brodie Croft, Kodi Nikorima, Ronald Volkman, Jack Cole, Josh Rogers, Kurt Mann, Ray Stone & Shawn Blore.

Chapters:

4:45 - Jamie Humphreys backflips on the Bears

7:00 - We speculate as to why

12:45 - Jarome Luai has been linked to the Bears

18:00 - Options to fill the void at half and lock

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

We are the Grizzwolds!

Grizzly lifelongers … a dysfunctional family and community … a Perth Bears podcast.

We're independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player.

Which Bears-bound players are starring in the NRL and Super League right now? We hand out a fresh set of votes under the 3,2,1 system... considering names like Curran, Henry, Newman, Wishart, Humphries, Russel and McDonnell.

Also, we revisit the Gehamat Shibasaki. Are we having second thoughts on the Bears making a bid to land his signature for the next two seasons?

Chapters:

2:45 - Second thoughts on Gehamat Shibasaki

9:45 - WA product Zane Murray flashes at the ASSRL National Championships

12:00 - We give out votes to the best current Bear-bound performers across the NRL and Super League

21:45 - Bears NSW Cup update

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The NRL has granted the Perth Bears a conditional $500,000 in salary cap concessions. So how can we use it and who should we go after?

There are reports we've tabled Gehamat Shibasaki a two-year deal worth roughly $500k a season - what do we think?
Moses Leota's future at Penrith is suddenly up in the air. Is that a guy we should be in on?

Also, Luke Laulili'i's signed with the Warriors for the rest of this season.

And the boys at the Leeds Rhinos are absolutely carving!

Chapters:

1:45 - Phil's exchange with Bears new GM Gareth Holmes

4:30 - Luke Laulili'i to the Warriors

8:40 - The salary cap handout from the NRL

13:40 - Does this extra cash accelerate Matt Burton conversations?

18:00 - The Shibasaki offer

24:30 - Moses Leota might be available

29:00 - The Leeds Rhinos boys are flying

A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player.

The Perth Bears are getting stuff done, appointing Gareth Holmes as their GM of Football, which is a huge gig for a startup club. Plus, we've given none other than David Campese an intriguing role.

There's another Geyer in Perth, as the Bears announce they've landed Mark's son Maverick in a nice multi-generational moment for WA Rugby League.

And what would fans think about going after Storm centre Jack Howarth, who has fallen out of favour at Melbourne?

Chapters:

2:00 - Bears sign Mav Geyer

7:50 - Gareth Holmes is our new GM

18:30 - David Campese's new role, targeting South African talent

26:00 - Player movement involving Jesse McLean, Starford Toa, Alex Seyfarth and Jack Howarth

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

There have been mixed reviews about the Perth Bears' roster build so far. But who would your favourite signing be? We have our say, but we're keen to hear from others - feel free to leave a comment below (for those tuning in via Spotify), or head to our socials on insta & YouTube - @theGrizzwoldsNRL.

Also, Jacob Preston has paused extention talks with the Bulldogs, and since he's a Bears Academy product, that's noteworthy.

Also, another Perth Bears signing has been on fire.

Chapters:

1:30 - Mason Barber is official

3:30 - AJ Gudgeon is official

4:30 - Wjy our NSW Cup team is rising to the challenge

8:00 - Tom Jenkins won't be joining the Bears

11:30 - Love to the Fa'asuamaleauis

12:30 - Jamie Humphries looked great at lock for Souths

18:00 - Our favourite Perth Bears signing so far

24:00 - The Jacob Preston saga

26:30 - Harry Newman's high flying form

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Fresh off the news the Perth Bears have landed highly-rated outside back Mason Barber (plus a North Sydney fan favourite on a train and trial), it's time to target a couple of fan favourites the locals can rally around.

Also, the Tigers' recent form is a timely reminder that high profile players don't guarentee winning, despite what those comparing PNG to Perth would have you believe.

Chapters:

2:00 - Bears' top NSW Cup form

3:15 - Why extending AJ Gudgeon is cool for Perth fans

4:20 - Now we need to target WA products in Royce Hunt and Josh Rogers

7:00 - Why Hunt fits

12:30 - The Mason Barber deal is reportedly confirmed. He's a star in the making.

16:45 - Jasais Ah Kee's family connections

18:00 - Who are our starting ventres?

19:30 - We love James McDonnell

23:45 - Jarome Luai and the Tigers offer us lessons and takeaways

28:00 - Let's target Tom Jenkins and here's why

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Coach Mal Meninga and the Perth Bears are being investigated by the NRL's Integrity Unit for publicly courting contracted players. So were we in the wrong and what do we expect happens now?

Also, the club has reportedly signed very exciting prospect Jasais Ah Kee on a three-year deal, plus is closing in on landing the prized signature of Cowboys young gun Mason Barber. These have gone under the radar until now, so we unpack them from every angle.

Chapters:

1:45 - The Bears are being investigated for tampering

7:30 - This is sloppy from Mal

9:45 - We invent 'inverted tampering'

13:30 - Thoughts on the Jacob Preston noise

15:00 - We are reportedly signing young gun Jasais Ah Kee

20:00 - We are reportedly on the verge of signing Mason Barber

25:30 - The shape of our roster

We've been obsessing over the prospect of Bulldogs half Matt Burton being granted a chance to break his contract and join the Perth Bears as of next season. And a big domino fell this week, instagating that prospect to become very real.

Plus, we had to kick off the show talking Foundation Memberships. The website had issues and some original Bears fans voice their frustration.

And we target some specific players that should be next on the Bears' recruitment hit list.

Chapters:

3:30 - Memberships have flown off the shelves

4:45 - Have original North Sydney fans been mistreated?

12:30 - Our inaugural home jersey

14:45 - The Memberships website issue

21:15 - Phil Gould addresses Matt Burton's future

26:30 - Which other players are on the hit list?

31:15 - Our Leeds Rhinos boys dominated last weekend

We are the Grizzwolds! A Perth Bears podcast. Independent and fan-focused, run by two life-long Bears tragics.

Follow us on insta (@thegrizzwoldsnrl), youtube (@TheGrizzwoldsNRL) and please follow and subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast player; like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.