The Perth Bears are optimistic of securing Matt Burton's signature within days, in a huge boost to the NRL's expansion club.
General manager Gareth Holmes took the opportunity to spruik the club's chances of snaring the Test and NSW State of Origin star at Thursday's unveiling of the side's away jumper at North Sydney Oval.
The Bears, albeit playing mostly out of Western Australia, will emerge from 28 years in hibernation when they rejoin the NRL in 2027.
And Holmes is confident Burton will be on deck for the side's round-one clash after the Canterbury utility scouted the club's facilities this week.
"It's no secret he spent the weekend in Perth with his family," Holmes said.
"He got to see what a wonderful place Perth is. The weather turned out for him, he got to experience it, he got to catch up with a few familiar faces and former teammates there, so I think he really enjoyed himself.
"We're really keen to have him and so over the next week or so I hope that we have a bit more news about that.
"I've got to be confident. We presented something to him in terms of being part of a team that is new and the desire for him to play six is there as well."
Holmes believes Burton reuniting with his former Bulldogs halves partner Toby Sexton would be a boon for the Bears.
"Matt's got some decisions to make, and they're big ones, but he understands what he's coming to and it's an exciting time for him, whichever way he goes," Holmes said.
In a major boost to the club, Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys in August granted the Bears a concession for signing a marquee player.
The club will be given a 20 per cent dispensation for recruiting any player on a salary above $1 million.
The move effectively means they could sign a marquee player such as Burton, or potentially Sam Walker, for, say, $1.8 million a season, but any third-party sponsor's input of $300,000 would not be counted in the NRL salary cap.
Despite the concessions, the Bears have been unable to secure any real big names.
Melbourne pair Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart, Penrith premiership winners Scott Sorensen and Liam Henry, Sexton and Canberra hardman Corey Horsburgh have been the biggest recruits.
The signings pale into comparison to the PNG Chiefs, who have used the NRL's tax-free incentives to lure the likes of representative superstars Jarome Luai, Brian To'o, Joey Manu, Zac Lomax, Connor Watson and the league's greatest ever tryscorer Alex Johnston for their 2028 entry.
Asked if the Bears were on a level recruitment playing field with the Chiefs, one-club legend Billy Moore said: "Like North Sydney, there's no excuses", while Holmes said the 20 per cent dispensation "helps".
Perth are also hoping to stage a trial match at North Sydney Oval in late February, despite pushback from Cricket NSW.
Cricket NSW told the Bears it would cost around $200,000 to relocate Sydney grade games and the NRL club would need to foot the bill.
"It's above my pay grade," said Moore, believing that returning to the club's spiritual home to reconnect with old fans was vital.
"But $200,000, get a GoFundMe page going if need be."
It is understood discussions between the two parties are continuing.