Bears 2027 and the Ezra Mam Fallout

The North Sydney Bears are officially returning to the NRL as the Perth Bears in 2027! Kenty also delivers a scathing assessment of the Ezra Mam suspension, questions the "soft" football currently being played by the Brisbane Broncos, and weighs in on the coaching battle for the game's newest franchise.

The Bears Return: A 25-Year Wait Ends in Perth

The NRL is set to officially announce the Perth Bears as the 18th team for the 2027 season. After a quarter-century in the wilderness, one of rugby league's foundation clubs has secured its future through a partnership with the Western Australian government.

"Peter V'landys has finally done it. He’s got the Bears back in the competition," Kent says. "The deal with the WA government is signed off—funding, junior development, and ground refurbishments are all locked in. It’s great news for the fans, but it’s going to flush a lot of money into the market, which will see player contracts skyrocket as the Bears and PNG (the 19th team) start building rosters."

Kent notes that while the club pushes for club legend Jason Taylor to coach, the NRL's preference leans toward Brad Arthur. "Arthur has the runs on the board. He knows how to turn a roster into a premiership threat, whereas JT has historically struggled with player relationships."

"Extremely Light": Kent Slams Ezra Mam’s 9-Week Ban

Addressing the biggest disciplinary story of the year, Kent didn't hold back on the NRL’s decision to suspend Broncos star Ezra Mam for just nine weeks following a drug-driving incident that left a young girl hospitalized.

"I thought nine weeks was appalling," Kent declares. "You look at Mitchell Pearce getting eight weeks for being silly and drunk with a dog at a party. Ezra Mam was unlicensed, failed a drug test, and put a girl in hospital with a fractured hip. To miss only nine weeks of football is extremely light. The fans want to feel like a player has been sufficiently punished, and the boos we heard at Magic Round show the public hasn't forgiven him yet."

Kent praised Michael Maguire’s decision to keep Mam in the feeder club for now, suggesting it's a necessary move to manage the "court of public opinion."

Broncos "Soft" and the David Fifita Ultimatum

The Brisbane Broncos are under fire from Kent for their recent dip in form, with the veteran journalist labeling their current style as "soft football."

"The Broncos are trying to finesse their way through defensive lines rather than kicking the front door in," Kent observes. "They’ve got Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, but they’re looking to spread the ball way too early. They need a simple readjustment: run harder and establish a platform before they start trying to play wide."

Meanwhile, on the Gold Coast, Kent reports a growing rift between Des Hasler and million-dollar man David Fifita. After Fifita allegedly demanded to play on the left side, Hasler sent him to Q-Cup. "Fifita is looking a gift horse in the mouth. If he doesn't pull his finger out and stop taking shortcuts, Des will move him on. For a million bucks a year, Hasler won't keep a player who isn't all in."

Selection Wars: The Race for the Blues Jersey

With State of Origin Game 1 looming, Kent analyses the selection headaches facing Laurie Daley. The most contentious position? Fullback.

"Daley has a massive decision. You’ve got James Tedesco playing better than he has in years, Dylan Edwards who won the last four premierships, and Tom Trbojevic," Kent says. "If he picks Jarome Luai at six, the Penrith connection with Edwards makes a lot of sense. But Teddy is making it very hard to leave him out. The next three weeks are the most important of Daley's coaching career."

Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.

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