Penrith Panthers re-sign Izack Tago

Suluka-Fifita was on Monday morning released from the last 18 months of his South Sydney contract to make the move across to Belmore.

The 24-year-old has been recovering from an ACL rupture that is expected to sideline him until mid-season, but the Bulldogs have signed him until the end of 2025 with the focus on Suluka-Fifita reaching full fitness next season after another pre-season.

His signing follows the arrival of veteran prop Zane Tetevano on a one-year deal last week.

Tetevano had feared his rugby league career was over after suffering a stroke while contracted to Leeds in the English Super League. Subsequent tests revealed the cause of his medical episode at training to be a hole in his heart, which led to surgery.

A premiership-winner with the Roosters in 2018 and then a key figure in Penrith’s rise to the 202 grand final, Tetevano adds experience to Cameron Ciraldo’s forward stocks when there are few NRL-calibre props on the market.

The Bulldogs had tried last year to bring in another ex-Roosters prop, Siosuia Taukeiaho, but he failed a medical due to a troublesome knee issue.

Fa’alogo inks bumper five-year Storm extension

Melbourne has handed one-game rookie Sua Fa’alogo one of the longest contracts in the NRL, with a healthy upgrade shoring the rising Samoan star up as part of the club’s future.

Fa’alogo made his NRL debut on a $60,000 development deal last season, but has now inked a five-year extension that brings him into the club’s top 30 roster and increases substantially in the final seasons of the contract.

The lengthy terms will keep Fa’alogo, 20, at Melbourne until at least the end of 2028.

Only 14 contracts across the game – led by multimillion dollar deals for Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Haumole Olakau’atu, Nicho Hynes and Jarome Luai’s Tigers contract – extend for such lengthy terms.

Fa’alogo’s emergence in a sparkling NRL debut and impressive end-of-year campaign for Samoa has him in line for a regular 17 role at the Storm this year.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, signed until the end of 2025, remains the club’s first-choice fullback, with Fa’alogo’s future planned around Papenhuyzen wearing the No.1 at this stage.

Fa’alogo has emerged as a genuine Victorian rugby league product and the fifth locally raised junior to graduate to Melbourne’s NRL ranks.

LeBron helping veteran Bronco

Adam Reynolds says sports stars like NBA legend LeBron James have helped him improve his physical and mental game late in his career, which will now officially continue in 2025.

The Broncos announced on Tuesday their skipper and halfback had signed a one-year extension.

The deal gives Reynolds a shot at playing 300 NRL games – he is currently on 274 – and the chance to develop his eventual No.7 successors Jock Madden and Coby Black.

Reynolds, 33, said he had read a lot about ageing sports stars and how they get the most out of their bodies. He said it was why he felt on top of his game.

“I didn’t have much interest in a one-year deal a few years ago, but at my age I’m happy with one now,” Reynolds said. “This is my third year here in Brisbane. I always knew my body would get through the deal, and I know I’ll get through next year – I wouldn’t have signed if I thought I couldn’t.

“I’ve changed a few things since I’ve moved up north, and I look after myself better away from the game.

“That comes with age and experience. I was probably a bit lazy when it came to my recovery at Souths.

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“I’ve spoken about the sauna I’ve put in my house, and I used the pool a lot. I looked into other sports and how older athletes get through. I read about LeBron James and how he trains most days and stays active all year round, and utilises a lot of the cold and hot baths. The way you think about things and approach the game is also a big thing.”

Reynolds said he wouldn’t rule out playing in 2026, but was more focused on the opportunity at the Broncos this season.

Brisbane led last year’s grand final 24-8 deep into the second half, only to be run down 26-24 by Penrith. They are well fancied to go one better this year.

Reynolds said the shorter field dimensions at Allegiant Stadium would make it harder for teams to go around rivals, and there will be a bigger focus on packs punching through the middle, while playmakers will need to nail their short kicking game with the smaller in-goal areas.

Hamlin-Uele: One hour from being a Warrior

Braden Hamlin-Uele was just an hour away from officially becoming a New Zealand Warrior before Cronulla reached out to his management with one final offer to keep him in the Shire.

So convinced was he that he was heading back to Auckland for the 2025 season, Hamlin-Uele had even started looking at accommodation, working out moving costs and was even daring to dream about being elevated to the Warriors’ leadership group.

Hamlin-Uele passed on the reported three-year $2.2 million Warriors contract to settle for two years at the Sharks – but only now can it be revealed how close the prop came to being lost to the Shire.

Instead, he will remain with Cronulla and be joined by his former Junior Kiwis roommate Addin Fonua-Blake next year to form one of the most damaging front-row pairings in the game.

“The Warriors set a deadline for last Friday,” Hamlin-Uele said. “I was accommodating that deadline, and we’re talking about half an hour to an hour before I was ready to sign – I thought I was gone.

“The figure from the Warriors was great, financially the deal was amazing, and the three years was great security.

“It got to 8.30pm, it was 10.30pm over there, and the Sharks came to my manager with the last offer and said, ‘We don’t want him to leave, here is our best offer’.

“The last thing I wanted to do was drag the process out. This was my first big life and career decision, so there was more to weigh up than the offer itself… I had this vision of me telling my Cronulla Sharks teammates I was leaving, and I just broke down, I couldn’t do it.”