LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Perth Bears have made further strides in shaping their squad by announcing the signings of two additional players, Emarly Bitunagane and Luke Smith. This follows their earlier signings of Harry Newman and Toby Sexton, as the team aims to secure a total of ten players by Christmas.
Bitunagane and Smith, who both spent the 2026 season with the London Broncos in the RFL Championship, have committed to the Bears for the next two seasons. Bitunagane, a former North Queensland Cowboys player, notably became the second African-born athlete to debut in the NRL earlier this year.
On the other hand, Smith previously captained the Canterbury Bulldogs' Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup team and also made his first-grade debut this year after showcasing his skills in the NSW Cup, where he played in both the centres and back-row positions.
"Luke and Emarly are exciting prospects who will play an important role for the club in 2027 and beyond," expressed Bears coach Mal Meninga. He added, "Both players have progressed through the ranks in good systems and I'm excited to watch their development next season with the London Broncos."
Meninga further highlighted Bitunagane's potential, stating, "Emarly is a very strong and mobile middle forward who I think has the potential to develop into a very important piece in the roster."