NSW Origin hooker Reece Robson will join Sydney Roosters on a four-year contract from 2026.
Robson informed the Cowboys he would depart the club following the 2025 season to take up an opportunity with another NRL club.
The Roosters later confirmed he had signed a four-year deal.
“We’re pleased to have secured Reece’s signature and look forward to welcoming him to the Roosters in 2026,” said Roosters head of recruitment, Daniel Anderson.
A North Queensland statement said Robson would remain an integral part of the Cowboys squad for the 2025 season.
“We tabled our best possible offer but unfortunately were not able to compete with the final offer Reece received,” Cowboys GM of football Micheal Luck said.
“Reece now has a young family and we respect his decision.”
Robson was a member of the Blues team that won this year’s State of Origin series and was selected in the Australian squad for the Pacific Championships, but is yet to make his Test debut.
The 26-year-old, who made his NRL debut for St George Illawarra in 2018, has played 110 of his 119 NRL matches for the Cowboys after moving to North Queensland in 2020.
Meanwhile, Roosters captain James Tedesco has signed a one-year contract extension, ensuring his continued leadership and presence at the club until the end of 2026.
The Roosters have been my home for the past seven years, and I’m excited to continue playing for this incredible club,” Tedesco said.
“I’m proud to represent the Roosters and there’s a strong bond among the group we have here, so I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together in 2025 and beyond.”
One of the game’s most decorated players, Tedesco has been an integral part of the Roosters since joining the Tricolours in 2018.
Since first donning the Roosters jersey, Tedesco has achieved a number of milestones, including winning back-to-back NRL Premierships in 2018 and 2019, claiming the Dally M Medal in 2019, and leading his state and country.
He capped off a stellar 2024 season by being named the Dally M Fullback of the Year for the fourth time, and became a record six-time winner of the Club’s most coveted award, the Jack Gibson Medal.
“James is not only a phenomenal player but also a leader who sets the standard for professionalism and performance, and I’m really pleased that his experience will continue to benefit the team around him,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
Tedesco has played 251 first-grade games, 161 of those with the Roosters. In 2024, Tedesco featured in 25 of the Roosters’ games, scoring 17 tries while setting up 24 more, and amassing 4,972 run metres.
On the back of his impressive return to the NRL in 2024, Bronson Xerri has inked a new deal with the Bulldogs through to the end of the 2027 season.
The dynamic left centre played scoring 10 tries in 19 matches and averaged 145 metres per game as the Bulldogs surged into the finals in 2024.
“Ever since Bronson stepped foot into our club’s doors, he has shown great maturity and commitment to the Bulldog jersey,” said general manager of football Phil Gould.
“At 24 he still has plenty of rugby league ahead of him, and we believe he has a bright future ahead of him in our colours.”
Talented young fullback Liam Ison has committed to the Sharks until the end of 2027 after making his NRL debut and claiming NSW Cup glory in a meteoric rise this year.
Ison, who turns 20 this month, has put pen to paper on a two-year extension on top of his existing contract for 2025.
At Parramatta, back-rower Kelma Tuilagi has signed a one-year contract extension through to the end of the 2026 season.
Tuilagi played 16 games for the Eels in 2024 after joining the club from Manly.
Meanwhile the Brisbane Broncos have won the race to sign Kangaroos playmaker Ben Hunt.
The 34-year-old will return to Brisbane on a two-year deal in a major boost for new coach Michael Maguire.
Hunt started his career at the Broncos, playing 187 games in nine seasons for the club before he joined the Dragons in 2018.
The veteran was granted an immediate release from his St George Illawarra contract in October and was courted by multiple clubs before ultimately settling on a return home.
We’re thrilled to be bringing Ben and his family home, where he belongs,” Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said.
“Players of his calibre don’t stay available for long, and it was important to us for Ben to know he was very much wanted here, but we also understand that this was a big decision for Ben and his family.”
For Hunt – who was involved with the Broncos since the age of 13 – the chance to come home to Queensland was a factor in his decision.
“This is very special. It was a tough decision for myself and my family, but my heart was really always driving me back to the Broncos, and in the end, it became really clear,” Hunt said.
“To be able to finish my career at the Broncos is something that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do and I’ll cherish it.
“I’ve had a fair few calls from people back home (Central Queensland), but needed to make the best decision for myself, my wife and my family.”
At the Dragons, World Cup halfback Lachlan Ilias has joined the club on a two-year contract after being released by South Sydney.
The Dragons announced the signing of Ilias after the Rabbitohs agreed to a request from the 24-year-old and his management for an early release.
The Greek international will take over the halfback duties for the Red V following the departure of captain Ben Hunt.
Ilias broke his leg in April while attempting a kick and missed the rest of the NRL season.
“It’s fantastic to have Lachlan join us at the Dragons,” St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan said.
“He is coming into the best years of his career. His skill set complements our current squad and he joins the exciting group of players we have recruited ahead of the 2025 season.
“He is progressing well through his rehab, and he will be ready to go for the trials. Lachlan joins a squad that is working hard and are committed to an improved 2025. We can’t wait for him to rip in with us.”
Ilias played 53 NRL games for South Sydney and has also played three Test matches for Greece at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.
At the Warriors, rookie forward Demitric Vaimauga has put pen to paper on a new deal through to the end of 2028.
Then known by the surname of Sifakula, Vaimauga made his NRL debut as a 19-year-old against the Roosters in 2023 and has added six more matches at the top level since then.
“Demitric brings so much energy and aggression to his game on both sides of the ball. We love what he provides on the field and also off it,” said Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“Going back to our first trial against Wests Tigers in 2023, he immediately showed he belonged at NRL level and everything he has done since has reinforced that.
“Injury impacted on his time on the field in the last two seasons but he has come back so well through a professional attitude. He’s our future, a great example of a locally produced and developed player.”
Wests Tigers forward Fonua Pole has put pen to paper on a two-year extension through to the end of the 2027 season.
The 22-year-old has played 56 games for Wests Tigers, making his NRL debut against the Warriors in Round 16, 2022. In his three seasons in first grade, he has missed just two games.
“Now is such an exciting time for us as a club. I just want to keep working hard and continue to improve as a player,” he said.
Former Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr has signed a two-year deal with the Parramatta Eels.
New head coach Jason Ryles – who worked with ‘The Foxx’ at the Melbourne Storm – is looking forward to adding Addo-Carr’s experience to the squad.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Josh before, and I know first-hand just how much he brings to a team — his speed is electric, and his ability to break open games is second to none,” Ryles said.
The agreement includes an option in the club’s favour for the 2026 season.
The Eels have also re-signed Brendan Hands and Sean Russell.
Dummy half Hands has extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2026 season, while winger Russell has also extended his contract until the end of the 2026 season.
Powerhouse Samoa prop Terrell May has signed a three-year deal with Wests Tigers after he was released by the Roosters.
The Roosters confirmed in a statement that May had been granted a release to pursue an opportunity at another club and it was Benji Marshall’s Tigers who secured his signature.
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