Bears boss candidate emerges in potential blow to high-flying Knights

Is the mini-exodus of the football department at the Newcastle Knights set to continue?

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The club has experienced mostly highs in the past few months thanks to their fairy-tale run to the Grand Final, but it copped a blow this week when the Broncos officially announced they poached Knights head of recruitment Peter O’Sullivan.

And now the Perth Bears are in the frame to make a play for Newcastle chief executive Peter Parr following the resignation of Anthony De Ceglie last week.

The Bears have advertised for a new chief executive and have given potential candidates a 10-day deadline to apply for the role.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Parr could be a surprise contender for the position, although Bears general manager of football Gareth Holmes is the early favourite for the top job.

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Parr served as director of football at Newcastle between 2022 and 2025 before moving into the chief executive role on November 1 last year.

He spent more than 20 years at the North Queensland Cowboys in various roles, including general manager of football, executive director, director of football, and non-executive director, and was part of the club’s first and only premiership in 2015.

He also has history in Perth.

He was an administrator at the Western Reds and was the only person to work at the club throughout its entire existence between 1992 and 1997.

Parr has previously advocated for the return of the Bears to Western Australia.

In 2022 Parr said Perth should “go in boots and all” to become the next NRL franchise.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for the Bears.

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Last week head coach Mal Meninga had to defend the club after reports that the Bears board wanted De Ceglie out.

“I don’t know what it is. It’s been an ongoing battle, it’s him and I around who’s going to get sacked next,” Meninga told Foxsports.com.au.

“I know I’ve got great support and Anthony has got great support, internally, so we just get on with our business.”

De Ceglie resigned just days later.

Bears and Knights officials told Foxsports.com.au that their clubs would not be commenting on the Parr situation.

Parr is currently overseas.

People can apply for the Perth Bears chief executive job up until October 22.