An unknown young winger from Penrith is set to go down in history as the first signing of the new Perth Bears franchise.
Hendrix Tapiki has become a genuine speedster who scored 21 tries this year for the Minchinbury club in the strong Panthers junior league.
The Mole reports that Tapiki has put pen to paper with the Bears and an announcement is expected to be made soon.
The Bears have been chasing targeting big names and hope to have established players part their roster before Christmas in preparation for their first season in 2027.
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The club has plans for their signing to play in the SG Ball Cup with their Sydney feeder club, the North Sydney Bears, in the 2026 season, and they want to prioritise development on Tapiki’s speed and skills.
He is then likely to head to Perth Bears as a development player when the Bears enter the NRL in 2027.
Although primarily a winger, Tapiki also has the versatility and skill set to play in the centres and he could find himself playing more football there as he learns being around the first grade environment.