‘Done nothing’: Perth Bears boss loses it on live TV over PNG Chiefs claims
Perth Bears board member James Bracey has gone toe-to-toe with Paul Gallen on Channel 9’s 100% Footy.
Bracey, who is also the show’s host, was none too impressed by comments from the former NSW and Sharks captain who claimed the Bears are being left in the wake of the PNG Chiefs’ after the stunning signing of Jarome Luai last week.
“My issue with the Perth Bears is you’ve done nothing,” Gallen told Bracey.
“Look at that list Gal and tell me that’s ‘nothing’,” Bracey snapped back.
“Tyran Wishart is nothing, Nick Meaney is nothing, Scott Sorenson is nothing?”
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But just like during his playing career Gallen wasn’t taking a backward step, much to the quiet amusement of the panel that also included Bulldogs boss Phil Gould.
“Which one of those blokes have you had on TV?” Gallen challenged Bracey, comparing the low-key announcements of the Bears’ signings to the total media frenzy triggered by Luai’s 2028 deal with PNG.
100% Footy
“None of those guys have been publicised, the Bears need to do that, they need to do something different, take them out on a beach over there, show them how good Perth is (in front of the cameras), you’ve done nothing!” Gallen continued.
“But they’re still playing for other clubs… what do you want me to do?” Bracey fired back.
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“When you’re a new club starting, and you’re not playing yet, you have a coach in Mal Meninga who is an icon of the game and is your only selling point—we haven’t got a player who isn’t contracted to another club, we’re going on history at the moment.”
‘Your club has not done enough’ says Gallen
Bracey was also adamant, somewhat questionably, that the media scrum around the Luai signing had little directly to do with the Chiefs, but again Gallen wasn’t buying it.
“Why can’t the Bears do that?” he asked.
“You want me to put a Perth Bears polo on Scott Sorenson (when he still plays for Penrith) and say ‘come on mate, talk it up’?” Bracey asked.
Gallen then responded by suggesting Bracey should take advantage of his dual roles as a both a Bears director and journalist on Channel 9.
“You are here on TV every single week, promote what you’ve done with your club… in my opinion your club has not done enough.”
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Meanwhile Phil Gould just sat quietly, grinning.
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