Bears table two-year deal for NSW Origin representative

Perth Bears are hoping to make Cameron McInnes their biggest-name recruit to date after tabling a two-year contract for the Cronulla co-captain.

McInnes, a former NSW Blues forward who is considered one of the toughest men in the game, is off contract at the end of the season. While the Sharks would like to retain him, several NRL and Super League clubs have expressed interest. The Bears are among the suitors and are hoping he will be part of their inaugural roster for their debut season next year.

Sources not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead Perth has tabled a two-year deal. If he commits, McInnes will join Cronulla teammate Siosifa Talakai as the franchise’s first two signings with State of Origin experience.

Given McInnes’ experience and the respect he commands across the NRL, he would become a logical captaincy candidate should he move to Western Australia.

McInnes made a successful return in round eight this year from an ACL injury he suffered against the Cowboys in round 24 last year, the second time he has had to overcome the setback. The former Rabbitohs and Dragons forward is one of a dozen Sharks off contract at season’s end. The Shire outfit concedes several stars will be squeezed out due to salary cap pressures. Other free agents include Will Kennedy, Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Jesse Ramien, Sam Stonestreet and Sione Katoa.

McInnes has made 228 NRL appearances since his debut for the Rabbitohs in 2014, realising his dream of an Origin debut a decade later. The 32-year-old etched his name into the history books when he made a record 78 tackles in a match against the Panthers in 2023, eclipsing the previous mark of 74 set by Canberra’s Shaun Fensom.

The hooker-turned-lock was involved in another first for a rugby league player when he gave a TEDx Talk at Inaburra School in Bangor. The presentation is an offshoot of the famous TED Talk conferences, which are also uploaded to the official YouTube channel with more than 44 million subscribers.

The Bears have been active in the player market, but McInnes would arguably be their biggest-name recruit. South Sydney half Jamie Humphreys and Bulldogs winger Jonathan Sua are other players in deep negotiations with Perth officials.

Confirmed Bears signings to date are Talakai, Toby Sexton, Tyran Wishart, Nick Meaney, Apa Twidle, Harry Newman, Sean Russell, Luke Laulilii, Liam Henry, Mikolaj Oledzki, Scott Sorensen, Josh Curran, Emarly Bitungane, Luke Smith, James McDonnell, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Chris Vea’ila and Kit Laulilii.