0°C | Sunday February 1, 2026 
10 December 2025
It has been a significant year for the North Sydney Bears, with the club setting its sights on its Perth namesake’s NRL return in 2027. Amidst this strategic planning, the NSW Cup side is gearing up for a standalone 2026 season, having recently concluded its feeder partnership with the Melbourne Storm following the Perth Bears announcement.
The club is actively assembling a competitive squad to play under new head coach Leon Latulipe.
Read about Latulipe’s appointment here: https://shorturl.at/i8JEt
Along with securing the return of numerous players from the 2025 season, Norths have bolstered their roster with two new signings. Five-eighth Tom Steadman is returning to the Bears for 2026. Originally from the Central Coast, Steadman played his junior footy with the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights before previously representing North Sydney in Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup. In 2021, he joined the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup and spent the past three seasons playing for the Tweed Seagulls and Burleigh Bears. Steadman also featured in an NRL pre-season with the Gold Coast Titans in 2024.
New Zealand-born winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega has crossed the Spit Bridge to join Norths. Vaega brings valuable experience, with 12 NRL appearances and 61 NSW Cup games under his belt from his time with the Manly Sea Eagles.
Among the key returnees, hooker Jayden Yates was the first announced. In his second season with the Bears, Yates had an impressive 2025, recording 7 tries, 9 assists, 1003 tackles, and a tackle efficiency rating of 94%. He has made 72 appearances over his NSW Cup career, including three seasons with Parramatta.
Lock Coby Thomas is also set to return in 2026. In 2025, Thomas was a top contributor, tallying 7 tries, 44 tackle breaks, 626 tackles, and a 90% tackle efficiency rating. Thomas originally debuted for the Bears in 2021 before playing for other clubs, returning midway through the 2024 season. In the offseason Thomas has also gained a call up to the South African national team.
Hooker Nathaniel Roache has been locked in for his third season, while Phil Makatoa is returning for his fourth. Fast-paced winger/fullback Ethyn Martin is back on board for 2026 after joining the club in Round 18 this year and making an immediate impact. Boasting 9 tries in 10 games for 2025, winger Matt Komolafe has also confirmed he will be back in red and black next year.
Kieran Hayman, a standout performer for the Bears from 2022 to 2024, is also confirmed for 2026. After a short stint with Tweed in the first half of the 2025 season, Hayman returned to Norths to finish the year as the 9th highest goal kicker in the NSW Cup regular season, despite only playing nine games. He will be looking to build on his red-hot record.
The second-row duo of Matt Stimson and Riley Meyn have also chosen to stay for their third season with the Bears. Meyn achieved a 92% tackle efficiency in 2025, while Stimson was a powerhouse with 5 tries, 7 line breaks, 10 offloads, and a massive 708 tackles. Fellow second-rower Sean Vaivelata has also confirmed his return next season.
Penrith junior Jake Toby, a fullback, will be returning for his third season, having found a home in North Sydney. He was sensational last season, adding 7 tries, 8 try assists, and 5 line breaks to his tally.
