NRL clubs float loan system to help Bears as Zac Lomax arrives in PNG
NRL clubs are discussing reintroducing a player loan system to assist the new Perth Bears in building a competitive roster for their inaugural season. The PNG Chiefs have already attracted several high-profile players and welcomed Zac Lomax for a facilities tour, highlighting their aggressive recruitment strategy. The league has offered no salary‑cap concessions for the Bears, but a potential marquee exemption and the loan system could provide alternative pathways for player development and roster flexibility.
- ▪The Bears have yet to secure a marquee signing ahead of their 2027 debut, prompting clubs to consider a loan system as a solution.
- ▪The PNG Chiefs have signed players such as Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Connor Watson and Matt Lees, and are in talks with cross‑code stars Zac Lomax and Joseph Manu.
- ▪A proposed loan system would allow under‑utilised players to gain first‑grade experience at other clubs while freeing salary‑cap space for the Bears.
- ▪The NRL has declined to provide salary‑cap concessions for the Bears, but suggested a possible $500,000 marquee exemption for Perth players.
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| Original publisher | The Sydney Morning Herald |
| Canonical URL | https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-clubs-float-loan-system-to-help-bears-as-zac-lomax-arrives-in-png-20260725-p60igl.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed |
| Publication time | Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:04:08 +1000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-25T06:06:36.610Z |
| Last seen | 2026-07-25T06:06:36.610Z |
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| Cluster | WQYEr1tRnUJV |
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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-07-25T06:04:08Z","datePublished":"2026-07-25T06:04:08Z","description":"It’s been tough going for the Perth Bears as they attempt to put together a competitive roster. A left-field solution could soon change everything.","headline":"NRL clubs float loan system to help Bears as Zac Lomax arrives in PNG","keywords":"NRL 2026, PNG, Just in","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Adrian Proszenko","jobTitle":"Chief Rugby League…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.