Jamie Humphreys Nears Perth Bears Jamie Humphreys Signing on Three-Year Deal
Jamie Humphreys is very, very close to a Perth Bears Jamie Humphreys signing on a three-year deal for 2027, with the South Sydney halfback now tied to Perth’s expansion plans. The move would come after 24 games for the Rabbitohs since he arrived from Manly in 2025.
Adrian Proszenko said Humphreys to the Bears is all-but done, and the detail points to a clean fit for Perth rather than a drawn-out chase. South Sydney has not been able to offer him as much money as he would like because of a salary cap squeeze, which has pushed the 24-year-old toward a new deal elsewhere.
Humphreys And The No.7 Race
Humphreys was one of Souths’ best last year in a season wrecked by injuries, but his path at the club has tightened since then. He may have been leap-frogged by Ashton Ward in the race to wear the No.7 jersey long term, and that leaves South Sydney weighing a younger option against a halfback who has already played 24 times for the club.
Last month, Humphreys made clear he wanted to stay. “I love this squad. I love being here. I love the fans. I love representing the history of the club and what it means to put on the South Sydney No.7 jersey. Long-term. I’d love to stay here.”
Perth Bears Build Their Spine
Perth are building quickly around the halves. The Bears have already signed Toby Sexton and Tyran Wishart, with Wishart reportedly signed to play hooker, and Jonathan Sua is also close to signing.
That leaves the expansion club with a clear pattern in its recruitment: add experienced spine options, then fill out the rest around them. Luke Metcalf has also been given permission by the Warriors to speak to rival clubs after Tanah Boyd signed a long-term extension, adding another name into the wider halves market while Perth move on Humphreys.
South Sydney’s Cap Pressure
For South Sydney, the loss would come at a time when money and succession are already intertwined. The club’s salary cap squeeze after signing Payne Haas from the Broncos has limited what it can put in front of Humphreys, even though he remains a halfback who already knows the system and the pressure of the No.7 jersey.
The practical next step is straightforward: if the deal is finished, Perth add a 24-year-old halfback for 2027, and South Sydney must settle its long-term No.7 picture without him. Ward’s rise gives the Rabbitohs an internal option, but Humphreys’ exit would still remove a player who had only just started to build a run of games and standing at the club.
