Roosters halfback Sam Walker has secured his future with the Tricolours through to at least the end of 2027 after signing a two-year contract extension.
The 22-year-old has played 77 games for the Roosters since making his NRL debut in Round 4, 2021, scoring 550 points.
“I’m really happy to be extending with the Roosters. This Club feels like home and I’m grateful for the support of Robbo, my teammates and all the staff,” said Walker, who was already contracted through to the end of 2025.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to training later this month so I can keep working hard on my rehab and play my role for the team.”
Walker played 21 games this season before suffering an ACL injury against the Raiders, robbing him of a shot at the finals with the Roosters.
Meanwhile, former Test prop Martin Taupau has recommitted to the Brisbane Broncos until the end of 2025.
The 34-year-old, who has 255 NRL games and 33 Tests for New Zealand and Samoa to his name, will continue to provide valuable depth to the club’s middle forward stocks.
Taupau’s contract extension is reward for strong finish to the 2024 season, where he made 13 NRL appearances and ran for 1124 metres while making 233 tackles at 97 percent efficiency.
Sharks half Braydon Trindall has extended his time with the Cronulla club in putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract.
Already signed on for 2025, with the three-year contract extension Trindall is now committed to the Sharks until the end of the 2028 season.
Finding his best form late in 2024, Trindall helping to guide the Sharks to within one game of the grand final and now looks forward to playing a key role in bringing success to the Sharks in the seasons ahead.
“I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Trindall said. “The club has put a lot of trust in me over the years, so I’m just looking forward to repaying them and repaying the fans.
“I just love this place; I love the club, I love the people here, I just love the whole organisation.
“I came here when I was 18, did a lot of growing and still have a lot of growing to do. I’m just looking forward to it and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.”
Meanwhile, emerging forward Xavier Willison has committed to the Brisbane Broncos until the end of the 2027 season.
The highly rated 22-year-old took big steps forward last season, playing 19 games as he established himself as a NRL regular and starting in the front row for two late-season wins over the Cowboys and Eels.
Elsewhere, the Bulldogs have announced the termination of Josh Addo-Carr’s playing contract, effective immediately, after the star winger fronted the club’s board on Thursday night.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Bulldogs chairman Adam Driussi said the decision was not made lightly and followed careful consideration by the board.
“Josh has been a significant part of our club over the past three seasons. During this time, he has provided many memorable moments for our members and fans.
“We understand Josh’s popularity with our passionate supporter base, and we share their disappointment that his time with the club has ended this way.
“However, this season has demonstrated the importance of building a culture based on clear standards and values.
“While the NRL Integrity Unit has completed its investigation and imposed a four-match suspension, the club views the combination of the failed drug test and subsequent lack of transparency as serious breaches of Josh’s contractual obligations and our club’s standards.
“Supporting our players remains a fundamental priority for our club, with comprehensive welfare programs that go well beyond just football.
“While we will always stand by our players through difficult times, we can only do this effectively when there is complete trust and transparency.
“We wish Josh and his family well for the future. Our welfare team remains available to Josh and his family during this transition.”
Star fullback Reece Walsh has signed a four-year contract extension with the Broncos until the end of the 2029 season.
At his best, the 22-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the NRL his re-signing is the first major contract development under new Brisbane coach Michael Maguire.
Walsh has already made 74 NRL appearances since making his debut for the Warriors in 2021, notching 34 tries and 57 try assists.
Despite a disrupted 2024 season in which he played just 14 NRL games, Walsh still managed 14 tries, 13 line breaks, 8 try assists and 62 tackle breaks in running for 154 metres per game.
New Zealand rugby union international Tyrone Thompson has switched codes to play alongside his twin brother Leo at the Knights next season.
Thompson, who played hooker for Chiefs in Super Rugby, represented the All Blacks and Māori All Blacks in 2022 but has been keen to follow Leo, the Kiwis prop, to the NRL.
The former New Zealand Schoolboys rugby union representative will join Newcastle’s top squad on an NRL development contract, having recently completed his commitments with Rugby New Zealand.
“Tyrone is a very gifted player, with a burning desire to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and play in NRL,” Knights head of recruitment Peter O’Sullivan said.
“He has proven to be a highly skilful and powerful player in Rugby, representing at international level for the Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV, after being in elite junior pathway teams and programs for many years.
“I vividly remember watching the brothers play for Napier boys high, Leo was a centre and Tyrone an athletic forward, they were both elite players, who stood out.
“To be prepared to walk away from where he is comfortable in the All-Blacks system and have a crack at the NRL, shows his desire to follow Leo into the NRL and he can’t wait to begin that journey to becoming a Knight.”
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.”
The Titans have also granted halfback Tanah Boyd an early release from his contract to join the Warriors.
Boyd made his NRL debut at the Titans in 2019, going on to play 69 games across six seasons on the Coast.
The 24-year-old was originally contracted to the Titans until the end of the 2025 season but will now join the Warriors on a two-year deal.
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.
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