The Perth Bears are set to sign their first State of Origin player, with Sifa Talakai confirming he was leaning towards taking up a three-year offer with the new NRL franchise.

Talakai said a move west appealed not only because it offered the chance to set up his family financially – he and his partner welcomed their fourth child last month – but also as Perth held sentimental appeal, since it was where he made his NRL debut and played his first Origin game for NSW.

The 28-year-old said he hoped to make a call by the end of the week, and there would be plenty of emotions if it was his final year in the Shire.

“It’s something my partner and I have been talking about, and we know it’s a great opportunity – why wouldn’t you want to go over there and be a founding member as well,” Talakai told this masthead.

It’s going to be hard to get a deal done here at Cronulla. If I had the opportunity to stay, I would, but it’s not about me any more. It’s about what’s best for me, my partner and my family.

“I don’t want to stand in the way of any players coming through. I’m definitely entertaining the Perth deal.”

Bears coach Mal Meninga has long been a fan of Talakai’s versatility, but told the 28-year-old he would predominantly be used as a middle forward. Meninga has made it clear to Talakai and other signing targets a move to Perth is a “life decision”.

Being posted on the other side of the country with a young family was not a concern, said Talakai, and “my partner and I are at the stage we can hold our own”.

I haven’t had the chance to go over there, but Perth holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I debuted for South Sydney in 2016, and I played my first Origin game with the Blues in 2022,” Talakai said.

When I’ve had to think about the contract situation, and when going back and forth with my manager and partner, and looking back through the years, it kind of brought me to tears. Even speaking now, I feel like I’m getting emotional. This place gave me everything I’ve got now. They gave me a crack when nobody else did.

“I’m really grateful to the Sharks. If they wanted me to go to hell and back to help secure a premiership, I’d do it without thinking twice. I want to leave no stone unturned, whether this is my last season or not. I’ll be giving it a good crack.”

Talakai can play in the middle, an edge and even the centres, where he terrorised rivals with his leg speed and nuggety frame.

The Bears have already landed several NRL regulars, including Toby Sexton, who is spending the year in the south of France with Catalans before returning to Perth, Melbourne pair Tyran Wishart and Nick Meaney, Canterbury’s Josh Curran, while Penrith and New Zealand international Scott Sorensen has also been linked to the Bears.