The Perth Bears have successfully secured their 28th signing for their inaugural season by officially bringing Jonathan Sua on board with a three-year contract.
Months ago, the Bulldogs winger was rumored to be making the move west, and now the agreement is finalized.
This year, Sua has fluctuated in and out of the Bulldogs' first-grade lineup, having been with the club since his days in the Harold Matthews Cup, ultimately making his NRL debut in the final round of 2024.
Although he did not feature in any first-grade games last season, he has competed in six matches this year, the latest being in Round 25 against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Injuries have hindered his playtime, but despite needing to refine some aspects of his game, Sua is expected to be a valuable asset for the Bears as they aim to build a well-rounded team for their first season.
"This is a massive opportunity for me, and I can't wait to get started. Being part of a brand-new club, building something from the very first day, isn't something a lot of players get the chance to do. I want to make the most of it and show what I can do on a bigger stage," said Sua.
"I've worked really hard over the last few seasons to get to this point, and I feel like my footy is in a really good place right now. I know there's still so much more improvement in my game. I'm ready to put in the work to become the best winger I can be."
This year, Sua was a Top 30 player at Belmore, recognized for his finishing skills and expected to be a key scorer for the Bears.
Mal Meninga mentioned that Sua has been on the Bears' radar since the start of their recruitment efforts.
"We've spent a lot of time building what we believe is going to form a competitive team," Meninga stated.
"Jon was a player we targeted early in the recruitment drive and I'm very happy he chose to be a Bear. He has progressed well through the 2026 season and proven he can play at NRL level. His effort levels playing on the wing have been excellent."