Jarome Luai’s PNG bombshell has shone a spotlight on the Perth Bears’ disadvantages as they also set about building their inaugural roster.

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The big drawcard the Chiefs can offer that other teams cannot is tax-free salaries, and third party deals.

It’s helped PNG land a massive name in Jarome Luai ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2028, with more big names expected to follow.

For the Bears and coach Mal Meninga, it’s been a tougher slog as they prepare to enter the competition next year.

While they’ve so far constructed a squad consisting many proven first grade players, they haven’t been able to land a marquee star like the Chiefs already have.

Foxsports.com.au’s Paul Crawley believes the Bears are being left behind and won’t be able to match the Chiefs on the recruiting front even though the two teams will enter the comp just a year apart.

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“The poor old Perth Bears are up against it. It’s deadset not a fair fight the fact they get absolutely no help from a salary cap perspective or anything else,” Crawley said on NRL 360.

“Papua New Guinea is a three-hour flight from Brisbane, four hours from Sydney whereas Perth is five or six hours from Sydney. It’s just as far away if not further for all the families that are going to go over there.

“They (Chiefs players) are also getting tax-free money. Not just on their salary but on third party deals.

“(General manager) Michael Chammas and (head coach) Willie Peters are doing an exceptional job to get this out there and get Jarome’s signature but from a Perth perspective, it’s no wonder they’re struggling.”

NRL legend Gorden Tallis countered that there are other clubs who traditionally struggle to recruit for various reasons, including Canberra Raiders and the competition’s newest team, the Dolphins.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta pointed out, however, that the Bears and Chiefs were having to compete with each other because they were joining the competition only a year apart.

“The Bears and Chiefs are pretty much going toe-to-toe,’ Anasta said.

The Bears have 17 players confirmed for next season with a couple more yet to be officially announced but they’ve struck out on a number of superstars including Jayden Campbell, Cam Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.