The Perth Bears have added more development player depth to the club's historic first NRL campaign, confirming two new signings in talented playmaker Zac Herdegen and second-rower Zac Lipowicz.
The pair bring contrasting but complementary stories to the club's inaugural squad, with the tale of the “Two Zacs” speaking volumes about the opportunities the NRL’s newest franchise offers for emerging and developing players.
Zac Herdegen
Born in Wollongong in NSW, Herdegen joins the Bears on a one-year development deal after coming through the Queensland pathways system.
He captained the QLD Country under-17s side in 2023 and was later selected into the Queensland under-18s Emerging squad in 2024 and the under-19s Emerging squad in 2025.
The 20-year-old represented the Dolphins' junior programs through Norths Devils, Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Sunshine Coast Falcons, before signing a development contract with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2025.
A goal-kicking five-eighth, Herdegen has made 34 appearances for the Northern Pride in the Hostplus Cup across the past two seasons, finishing as the club's top point-scorer this year with 114 points.
Herdegen, who has also featured in two NRL trial games for the Cowboys, said he was excited about the opportunity to prove himself with the NRL's newest team.
"This is a big opportunity for me to prove myself at the top level with the newest team in the NRL," Herdegen said.
"Getting to do that under a coach like Mal Meninga makes the opportunity even more attractive.
"I've grown up playing my footy in the Queensland system and I think that's given me a really strong foundation.
"Now I just want to keep adding to my game, learn off the experienced players, and repay the faith the club has shown in bringing me over."
Zac Lipowicz
A product of the Penrith Panthers pathway system, Lipowicz grew up in Baulkham Hills in Sydney.
He spent several years balancing a full-time job as a carpenter with reserve-grade football before earning his NRL debut for the Panthers in 2025.
He played three seasons in the NSW Cup with Penrith, finishing with 48 reserve grade games for the club.
Lipowicz joined the Catalans Dragons for the 2026 season, playing 25 Super League games and scoring six tries, before moving to Wakefield Trinity, where he has played two games alongside fellow Bears recruit Tyson Smoothy.
The 24-year-old, who is also on a one-year development deal at the Bears, has represented Poland at international level, scoring a try on debut in 2023.
"I'm just grateful for the chance to be part of this squad. I want to come in, learn from the group, and do whatever I can to help the team,” he said.
Meninga pointed to the character each player brings to the team as he prepares to welcome them to Western Australia later this year.
"Zac Herdegen and Zac Lipowicz are two young men with plenty still ahead of them, and both have had to find their own way to get where they are," the Bears Head Coach said.
"Herdegen has come through a strong Queensland pathway system and Lipowicz's story speaks for itself. Not many blokes go from working full days on the tools to playing first grade and Test football. We think they'll both fit straight into the standards we're building here."
General Manager of Football Gareth Holmes said the signings continue to build out the roster ahead of the club's first campaign in 2027.
"Both Zacs give us good depth and some real versatility across our spine and forward pack," Holmes said.
"They're still building their careers, but they've both shown they can deliver when called on, and that's exactly the kind of player we want in this squad."
The Bears have now filled five of their six development list spots with 27 players signed in the top 30 squad ahead of the 2027 NRL season.
