'You've done nothing': Bears director and 100% Footy host James Bracey clashes with Paul Gallen over Perth claim
100% Footy host and Perth Bears board member James Bracey has delivered a passionate defence of his club's current predicament after Paul Gallen claimed the Bears "have done nothing" in the way of promotion.
The lack of marquee signing has become a hot topic for Perth in recent days after PNG, which don't join until 2028, announced a deal for Jarome Luai in a major coup.
The tax-free benefits will be a carrot for players to join the Chiefs while Perth have not been given any concessions despite the long distance from the east coast for players and families to set up their lives.
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The club hasn't been helped by internal issues with general manager David Sharpe leaving amid reports of problems with staff.
On Nine's 100% Footy after an interview with PNG prime minister James Marape and Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas, Bracey revealed his "fear" there will be a "freeze" in the player market as agents assess the Chiefs option.
"I loved hearing from Trent Robinson and Ivan Cleary, authoritative figures in our game with so much experience ... saying they believe Perth need some sort of help," he said.
James Bracey on 100% Footy. Nine
Currently the Bears have 17 players signed, with a mix of Super League and NRL talent.
Siosifa Talakai's Origin experience makes him one of the bigger names signed along with Kiwi representative Scott Sorensen.
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After Bracey spoke about his fear, Gallen claimed the club had "done nothing" in terms of promotion.
"My question is which one of those blokes have you had on the TV? Jarome Luai was all over (the media)," he said.
James Bracey and Paul Gallen on 100% Footy. Nine
Bracey countered by saying the players signed are with other clubs and can't promote the Bears.
"The Bears need to do something. Go and take them out on a beach over there, show them how good Perth is," Gallen responded.
"Show something good about Perth, you've done nothing."
Bracey replied: "Perth's not in another country, we all know WA is amazing."
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"At the moment, when you're a new club starting and you can't play yet, the coach - and Mal Meninga is an icon of our game - is your only selling point unless you've got a player that isn't contracted to another club," he continued later.
"So you've got no way of marketing yourself, we're just going off history at the moment."
The clash went on with Bracey asking "what do you want us to do?" when Gallen continued discussing the lack of promotion for signings.
"Do you want me to put a Perth Bears polo on Scott Sorensen and go, 'Come on mate, talk it up?'" Bracey said.
Canterbury Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould, who has had multiple clashes on the show, smirked as the exchange went on while Cameron Munster held back laughter.
Phil Gould smirks. Nine
Allana Ferguson said the game needs to help the Bears to ensure the franchise is a success and "not a flop".
Gould had one of the last words.
"You've just got your first lesson in club management," Gould said to Bracey.
"Don't argue with the media. Just let it go, let it go."