Luke Laulilii

Hailing from Campbelltown, New South Wales, and bringing a formidable blend of technical skill and physical power, middle forward Kit Laulilii played his junior football for the Liverpool Catholic Club before progressing through the highly regarded Wests Tigers development pathways.

A natural leader with exceptional ball-playing ability, the 21-year-old prospect carved out a distinguished junior representative resume, notably captaining the undefeated Wests Magpies Harold Matthews Cup team to a historic Premiership in 2022. His rapid physical and tactical development saw him fast-tracked into topflight calculations, culminating in a highly anticipated NRL first-grade debut for the Wests Tigers as an 18-year-old against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in Round 27 of the 2023 season.

Laulilii's entry into the NRL provided immediate exposure to the intensity of professional rugby league, spending subsequent seasons refining his craft against hardened elite packs. Known for his versatility to operate effectively as an aggressive prop or a dynamic, ball-playing lock, his relentless work ethic and mature leadership traits have marked him as one of the game's brightest young forwards. In a massive honour for the entire Laulilii family, his upcoming move to Western Australia will see him join forces with his highly touted younger brother, utility back Luke Laulilii, with both siblings confirmed to run out together in the expansion club's inaugural top-30 playing squad.

Committing to a two-year contract, Laulilii is officially on board with the Perth Bears for their landmark 2027 and 2028 campaigns. The prospect of building a life in Perth and pioneering a brand-new top-tier sporting franchise captured the imagination of the close-knit family, who are eager to establish a lasting legacy in the West. The Bears view the powerhouse utility forward as a critical long-term asset, possessing the ideal blend of youthful exuberance, modern skill sets, and foundation character required to build an elite, hard-nosed culture from the ground up.

Head Coach Mal Meninga said the addition of the young forward brings an exciting mix of power and top-tier potential to the club's foundation roster.

“Kit has shown glimpses already that he has what it takes to make a real difference in the NRL competition,” Meninga said.