Brad Arthur has confirmed his interest in taking the job as coach of the new Perth Bears franchise amid speculation over a property he purchased in Western Australia.
The former Eels coach, who led Parramatta to a grand final in 2022, is currently coaching in the Super League with Leeds Rhinos and is considered the frontrunner for the job in Perth.
The news that Arthur and his wife Michelle recently bought a property in the beachside suburb of Coogee in Perth is fuelling speculation of his return to the NRL.
This masthead contacted Arthur in England on Thursday for clarity over his decision to purchase the property in Perth on November 27 last year.
“I’ve got a property on the Gold Coast as well, have you got me coaching the Titans, too?” Arthur joked.
“Michelle is from Perth, she still has family in Perth. We decided to buy an investment property there after selling another property that we owned.”
Brad Arthur is in line to coach Perth’s Bears side.Credit: Getty Images
While Arthur insists there is no link between the purchase of the property and the potential NRL head coaching vacancy in Perth, he made no secret of his desire to be the inaugural coach of the NRL’s 18th franchise. The new team is expected to debut in 2027.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I would love to coach in the NRL again,” Arthur said.“I still feel like I have a lot to offer and have learnt a lot over the past 12 months that will make me a better coach than the one that left Parramatta. I also want to be closer to my two boys. It’s hard being away from them and missing their careers.
“Would I like the Perth job? Of course. I feel I have proven that I can build a club from the ground up, because that’s what we had to do when I started at Parramatta. But this is all premature … But if you’re asking me if I would be interested, then yes, I would be.”
Sources with knowledge of the situation, talking on the condition of anonymity, said former South Sydney forward turned Warrington Wolves coach Sam Burgess is being considered, but doesn’t have the experience of Arthur.
Other potential options include Cronulla and Queensland assistant coach, Josh Hannay, former Broncos coach Kevin Walters and Sydney Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook.
This masthead broke the story on Thursday that the Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed in principle to a revised proposal from the WA government for an NRL team in Perth.
The ARLC met on Wednesday morning and signed off on an increased offer from WA Premier Roger Cook, paving the way for the Bears to return on Australia’s west coast from 2027.
The NRL held a meeting with the clubs on Thursday afternoon to inform them of their position and begin the consultancy period before a formal announcement is expected after the May 3 federal elections.
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