The Perth Bears have added another Premiership winner to their roster with Jack Cole signing a three-year contract with the club to start in 2027.
The 23-year-old half has played 19 First Grade games for the Penrith Panthers and was a member of their premiership winning squads in 2022 and 2024.
“I’m stoked to sign with Perth and be a part of their historic inaugural squad,” Cole said.
“I believe this club can help me continue to develop as a player and I’m excited about the opportunity to move to Perth and get out amongst the community.
“The roster is really starting to take shape, and it will be an honour to run out in front of our home fans at HBF Park next year.”
Perth Bears Head Coach Mal Meninga said Cole was the perfect addition to his inaugural squad.
“Jack is a talented half who has enjoyed a lot of success both as a junior coming up through the ranks and obviously with the Panthers,” Meninga said.
“He has an excellent kicking game and is a good organising half.
“His skillset compliments our roster, and I look forward to welcoming him over to Western Australia.”
Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said he was delighted to add another Premiership-winning player to the roster as the club counts down to November 1.
“Jack is a proven winner and he believes in the Bears vision set out by Mal and the entire football department” DeCeglie said.
“Jack will join Liam Henry, Scott Sorensen, Tyson Smoothy and Gehamat Shibasaki as players who have been on premiership winning teams over the past two years.
“We are recruiting players that know what it takes to win and, most important of all, believe in what we are creating over here in the West.”
Perth Bears General Manager of Football Gareth Holmes said Cole would join what was shaping up to be a lethal spine.
“Jack showed a lot of promise as a junior player, and he has continued that development through the Panthers pathways program,” he said.
“We have a lot of versatility in the halves. Now with the addition of Jack to the mix and we have a lot of flexibility in how Mal and his staff can adapt our style of play.
“I’m delighted Jack has agreed to join the Bears and look forward to welcoming him and his family to WA next year.”
