The NRL legend continues to put his team together for the Bears’ inaugural season in 2027.
Mal Meninga has reportedly poached the Gold Coast Titans’ long-time NRL recruitment manager to join him at the Perth Bears – a move that could pave the way for a play at superstar forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita. The Titans announced on Wednesday that Ezra Howe has left his role as the club’s recruitment guru after seven years.
He’s reportedly set to join Meninga in Perth after they worked together at the Titans when Meninga was the club’s high performance and culture consultant. Howe was responsible for helping convince Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita to join the Titans from Melbourne and Brisbane respectively.
The Queensland State of Origin forwards are both off contract at the end of 2026, which coincides with the Bears entering the NRL in 2027. With Howe now at the Bears, it could be a huge advantage if the Perth team makes a play for Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita like expected.
The Titans confirmed Howe’s immediate departure on Wednesday, saying in a statement: “The Titans can confirm that long-term recruitment manager Ezra Howe has finished in the role he’s held for the past seven seasons. Howe joined the Titans in 2019 and has made a significant contribution to the club. Aside from the recruitment role, he’s also helped develop the club’s junior elite pathways programs.
“Howe will finish up his duties at the Titans effective immediately. The club wishes Ezra and his family all the best for the future and thank him for the significant contribution he has made over a long period of time on the Gold Coast. His replacement will be announced in due course.”
Ezra Howe joins Ben Gardiner on Mal Meninga’s staff
Howe will be another key piece in Meninga’s coaching and recruitment team in Perth after he recently signed Ben Gardiner from the Panthers to be his assistant coach. Gardiner is currently head coach of Samoa and an assistant under Ivan Cleary at Penrith, and was part of the Panthers’ premiership-winning teams in 2023 and 2024.
Mal Meninga reveals interest in Jacob Preston
Meanwhile, Meninga has revealed he’s eyeing Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston in what would be a huge signing coup. Preston is contracted with Canterbury until the end of 2027, and Meninga views him as a potential leader for the Bears – his junior club.
He’s certainly on my radar, no doubt,” Meninga told News Corp. “He is a great player – I’m a fan of Jacob. And being a Norths junior doubles our interest. Being an ex-Bear is an important link. We are starting fresh but to have that Bears’ DNA is a bonus.
“Why wouldn’t we look at investing in him down the track? He’s got to be off contract, obviously, but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t. I’d be very keen through our channels to have a chat with his management down the track. We can’t just think about 2027, we have to think beyond that as well.”
Storm superstars Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen (both off contract after 2026) have continually been linked to the Bears, however they’ve both denied interest. Payne Haas would also be a prime target, while Selwyn Cobbo seems the most likely high-profile signing after he recently inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins for 2026 that makes him a free agent when Perth enters the comp a year later.
