The Perth Bears secured rugby union standout Cooper Watters before their entry into the NRL in 2027. Watters is a U20 Wallabies athlete who will make the switch from rugby union. The Perth franchise secured the young union talent in a recent code raid prior to joining the league.

This addition represents the newest cross-code signing for Meninga's Bears. The Perth franchise picked up the athlete in a significant cross-code deal before its official entry into the NRL. Watters brings his experience as a U20 Wallabies player to the Perth team.