Kangaroos star Ben Hunt has been granted an immediate release by St George Illawarra to sign with another NRL club for the 2025 season.
The Dragons captain and chief playmaker will depart the club immediately despite having one year remaining on his contract.
Hunt made a significant impact during his seven seasons with the Dragons, playing 147 games and serving as captain since 2021.
“This decision was not easy and was not taken lightly, but we need to do what is best for the club at this time,” said Dragons CEO Ryan Webb.
“After extensive discussions with Ben and his management, it became clear that this is the best path forward for both parties. It allows the club to openly explore the player market and focus on the future.
“Ben has been an important part of our club and we are grateful for his contributions. We wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
Classy centre Paul Alamoti has been rewarded for a stunning season at Penrith with a contract extension through to the end of 2027.
A tryscorer in the Panthers’ grand final win over the Storm, Alamoti was already contracted with the premiers for next season and has extended his deal until the end of the 2027 season.
The 20-year-old made his first-grade debut in 2023 and has played 35 NRL games across the past two seasons.
“Paul is an exceptionally talented and respectful young man, both on and off the field,” said Panthers general manager of football Shane Elford.
The Knights, meanwhile, have extended the contract of youngster Dylan Lucas until at least the end of 2027.
Lucas made his NRL debut against the Dolphins early in the 2023 season and has racked 28 games, looking equally comfortable at back row or centre.
The Knights have also signed forward Brodie Jones to a one-year extension.
Jones, 26, is a Cessnock Goannas junior who made his way through every Knights junior age team, along with junior representative and Australian Schoolboys teams, on his path to becoming a full-time contracted NRL player in 2020.
The versatile forward has chalked up 72 NRL games with Knights director of football Peter Parr praising his “tremendous work ethic and genuine ability to come up with big plays at crucial moments”.
Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki has signed a one-year contract extension through to the end of 2026.
Tuaupiki joined the Warriors on a train and trial deal in late 2022 before clinching a one-season contract for the 2023 campaign.
The 25-year-old has gone on to play 11 games across two seasons, averaging 152 metres per game in 2024.
“Whether he’s coming into the NRL side or playing in the New South Wales Cup, Taine gives us so much quality,” said Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
“It’s not just the quality in his play but the energy and enthusiasm he provides every day.”
Meanwhile, Storm captain Harry Grant has taken up his player option to stay in Melbourne until the end of the 2026 NRL season.
The two-time Dally M Hooker of the Year made his debut for Melbourne in 2018 and has now played 101 NRL games, including 86 for Storm.
In his first year of captaincy, the 26-year-old led Storm to the 2024 NRL minor premiership and the grand final.
“It’s been an incredible year for the club and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do together over the next few years,” Grant said.
“It wasn’t a hard decision to make given the club has put trust in me with the captaincy this season. We have a lot of natural leaders in the squad too which helps both on and off the field. The potential and depth of our roster really excites me.”
The Eels have announced that Fijian star Maika Sivo has been granted a release from his contract for the 2025 season to pursue opportunities that will allow him to further his career elsewhere.
Sivo joined Parramatta in 2019 when he finished as the NRL’s top try scorer. Over his 115 match NRL career Sivo has brought excitement, power, and become a fan favourite.
Eels GM of Football Mark O’Neill said: “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Maika, his partner Korina, and his family for their time with us. We wish them all the very best in their future endeavours, both in rugby league and beyond.”
In other news out of Parramatta, back-rower Matt Doorey has extended his contract through to the end of 2026 while Joash Papalii and Jordan Samrani have joined the club.
Hard-working forward Jackson Ford has signed a two-year extension with the Warriors through to the end of the 2027 season.
Ford’s new deal comes on the back of Ali Leiataua, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak all being secured on new terms in recent weeks.
“Coming to the Warriors has been a great career move for Jackson,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He immediately impressed with his work ethic and attitude, establishing himself as a first-choice back-rower for us over the last two seasons.”
Ford has played 43 games for the Warriors since joining the club from the Dragons in 2023.
Coming off the two most productive campaigns of his 11-season NRL career, Watene-Zelezniak will be with the Warriors until the end of 2027.
Watene-Zelezniak was named in both the Dally M Team of the Year and the Players’ Dream Team in 2023 after scoring a club record 24 tries in 20 games and following it up with 15 tries in 22 appearances this year.
“There’s no doubt the move to the Warriors in 2021 has been of tremendous benefit to Dallin’s game,” said McFadden.
“He had the best season of his career in 2023 and maintained his level this year by again finishing as the club’s top try scorer.
“He thrives on being at the Warriors and living in Auckland, matching his enthusiasm and energy on the field with the same sort of passion off it.”
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers have announced contract extensions for Reuben Porter and Solomona Faataape.
Both players have signed development contracts for the 2025 season after making their NRL debuts with Wests Tigers in 2024.
“Solomona and Reuben have both earned their place in our extended squad and I’m looking forward to seeing their continued progress over the coming months,” coach Benji Marshall said.
The Sharks have signed Mawene Hiroti, Niwhai Puru, Billy Burns, Jayden Berrell and Chris Veaíla to one-year contract extensions through to the end of 2025.
Elsewhere, Fijian international Marcelo Montoya will return to Belmore after signing a two-year deal with the Bulldogs.
The 28-year-old rejoins his junior club following four seasons in New Zealand, where he scored 30 tries in 82 appearances for the Warriors.
Montoya played for Canterbury from Harold Matthews Cup through to the National Youth Competition, before making his NRL debut in 2017.
“It’s always pleasing to bring a local junior back home.” Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould said.
“Marcelo is very passionate in the way he conducts himself both on and off the field. His versatility in the backline and his experience will certainly complement our squad as he enters this next chapter of his career at the Bulldogs.”
Samoa international Jazz Tevaga is set to bring plenty of experience and added toughness to the Manly pack after signing a one-year deal.
The 29-year-old, who will join the Sea Eagles after Samoa’s tour to England, has played 138 NRL games for the Warriors from 2016-2024.
“Jazz has played in finals and has had a lot of experience over there in New Zealand. He has also represented Samoa,’’ said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
“He brings that grit and toughness to what we have already got here. We feel like he will be a good addition to our group.”
Wests Tigers have announced the signing of boom young centre, Heamasi Makasini, on a three-year deal.
A Campbelltown City Kangaroos junior, Makasini has been a standout player for Wests Magpies Harold Matthews team over the past two years and has been keenly pursued by rival NRL clubs, Rugby Australia, and clubs overseas.
The 17-year-old Newington College student was named Harold Matthews Cup player of the year in 2024, scoring 92 points and finishing as the leading try scorer with 10 tries from as many games.
Makasini, who recently gained selection in the Australian Rugby Union Under 18s development squad, has decided to stick with rugby league and pursue his dream of playing in the NRL with Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers head coach, Benji Marshall, believes Makasini will be great for the club.
We’re extremely excited to have Heamasi as part of the Wests Tigers family for the next three years,” said Marshall.
“He is one of the best young talents that we have who has progressed his way through our development programs. He is very humble, respectful and is a good young man.”
Heamasi will move into Wests Tigers top 30 in 2026.
The Titans have announced that experienced prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will join the club in 2025 on a three-year deal.
The 31-year-old comes to the Gold Coast with 221 NRL games under his belt at Penrith and Parramatta, alongside Origin and International representative experience with the Blues and Kangaroos.
“It’s great to have Reagan join us in 2025,” Titans coach Des Hasler said.
“He’s a no-nonsense front rower with a high work rate and has been a mainstay in the NRL for the past decade.”
One of the young guns lining up alongside RCG in 2025 will be Klese Haas, who has signed a new deal to remain with the Titans until 2027.
Making his debut at the end of 2022, the emerging forward has now notched up 39 NRL games, including 22 appearances this season.
“I’ve really enjoyed learning under quality representative players like Tino, Moe and Dave who have really helped me grow as a player and a person, and I’m eager to keep working hard to bring success to the Gold Coast in the next few years,” Haas said.
Parramatta meanwhile have announced the signing of Jack Williams on a three-year deal, starting from next season.
The back-rower joins the club after a strong season with the Sharks, playing 25 games, including three match of this year’s finals series.
“Jack is a player who has been on our radar for a while,” Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said.
“His experience and leadership qualities will be great for our culture and align with how we want to play going forward. We’re pleased to continue building a strong list ahead of the 2025 preseason for the NRL program.”
Hard-working forward Josh Curran has been rewarded for a stellar season at the Bulldogs, with the club extending his contract to the end of 2026.
Arriving at Belmore from the Warriors this season, Curran played 24 games, averaging 120 run metres and 31 tackles per game.
“Josh has clearly played some of his best football this year and become an integral part of the team as both a major contributor on and off the field,” said Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould.
The Dolphins have struck a double blow in the recruitment race with former Blues Origin rep Daniel Saifiti and promising outside back Max Feagai joining Kristian Woolf’s squad in 2025.
Saifiti joins the Dolphins in 2025 after 183 games as a Knight as well as seven Origins for NSW between 2019 and 2021.
“We can’t wait to see Daniel in our colours next year and are excited about what he will add to our already formidable forward pack,” said Dolphins CEO Terry Reader.
“It is probably impossible to replace someone who has had the amazing career of Jesse Bromwich, but we know we have done extremely well in bringing in Daniel to add to our depth.”
Feagai has joined the Dolphins on a two-year deal and will look to add to his career tally of 23 NRL games.
The 23-year-old played 12 games for the Dragons in 2024.
The Knights have re-signed hard-working forward Mat Croker through to the end of the 2025 season, which will be his fifth season in the top grade at Newcastle.
Croker debuted in 2021 and has gone on to play 59 games for the Knights.
The Rabbitohs have extended the contract of outside back Isaiah Tass through to the end of the 2027 season.
Tass has played 47 NRL games since making his debut for the Rabbitohs against the Bulldogs in Round 6, 2022 season. He also represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2023.
“Isaiah works incredibly hard on his game and is equally dedicated to his football on the field as he is to his family off the field,” said Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison.
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