EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould gives his perspective on James Bracey v Paul Gallen 100% Footy showdown

Phil Gould has thrown his support behind Perth Bears board member and Nine host James Bracey following a rare on-screen blow-up this week.

The usually mild-mannered and diplomatic Bracey got into a war of words with panellist Paul Gallen during Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night after the league great said the Bears had "done nothing" in terms of recruitment and hyping up their 2027 arrival.

The topic was raised on the show after the other looming expansion clubs, the PNG Chiefs, landed a massive signing in the form of Jarome Luai, parading him around Port Moresby to meet with the prime minister and local fans, before an official announcement that saw him photographed with Michael Chammas and Lorna McPherson.

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Despite not coming into the NRL until the following year, the Chiefs have already signed a marquee man - something the Bears have failed to do thus far.

Bracey voiced his frustration when Gallen criticised how the Bears have advertised themselves compared to the Chiefs, explaining they are unable to use the litany of players already signed, led by the likes of Scott Sorensen and Tyran Wishart.

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The man who had a front-row seat to the fiery debate was Gould, who sat with a smirk on his face while the other panellists went back and forth, but sympathised with Bracey for the way things have panned out in recent weeks for the Bears.

"How good was that? They went at it. He's very passionate about the Bears … it was frustrating for him," he said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.

"To a certain extent, he [Gallen] had a point because there was a lot of play this week about the Jarome Luai and PNG decision. The thing with PNG is right out of left-field for our game and it's a huge thing in our game.

"They've started with a bang and signed Jarome Luai out of nowhere. It put what Perth has been doing under the spotlight a little bit as far as Gal was concerned.

"This whole PNG thing … it's just an extraordinary circumstance and it has to some extent put the Bears on the back-foot as far as media exposure. That's the point Gal was making and Brace took a little bit of umbrage with it because they've gone about their business quietly and not wanting to upset anybody and just getting their ducks in a row.

"Once the season is over they can make a splash. It's the first time I've ever seen him really fire up - it was great television and he's passionate, he loves the Bears." 

Gould also explained that it was a "moral code" between NRL clubs and believes there could still be a big name making their way over to Perth before next season starts.

"They've been around the edges, trying to pick up some value. Have they landed a marquee player? Probably not ... maybe their marquee player is yet to come," he said.

Perth Bears 2027 signings

Toby Sexton, Harry Newman, Luke Smith, Emarly Bitungane, Liam Henry, Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui, Sean Russell, Josh Curran, Tyran Wishart, Nick Meaney, James McDonnell, Chris Vea'ila, Luke Laulilii, Scott Sorensen, Siosifa Talakai, Mikolaj Oledzki, Te Hurinui Twidle, Kit Laulilii, Apa Twidle