Knights workhorse Mat Croker has signed a two-year extension to remain at the club through to the end of the 2027 season.  The Taree junior progressed through the Newcastle junior representative pathway before making his NRL debut in 2021. He has featured in every game so far this season and has developed into a key cog in the side’s forward rotation.  “We understand the interest from other clubs, and we are delighted he chose to stay with the Knights,” Newcastle recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan said. “Mat can cover all three roles in the pack, bringing great balance and versatility to our squad. “At his age and experience, the next three years of his career will be his best and we believe he will continue his development as a genuine NRL player.” The Dragons have locked down young gun Lyhkan King-Togia for the next two seasons in a major boost to their playmaking stocks.  The contract extension will see King-Togia join the top-30 squad for the next two years and he will remain with the club until the end of the 2027 campaign. The 19-year-old made his debut late last year and St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan is confident he will develop into a long-term halfback or five-eighth in the NRL.  “Locking down Lyhkan for another couple of seasons is exciting for the club,” Flanagan said. “He got a taste of first grade at the end of last year and has been playing good footy to start this season for our NSW Cup team. “He’s an exciting young half on the up and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to improve over the coming seasons.” The Sharks, meanwhile, have re-signed youngsters Niwhai Puru and Chris Vea’ila until the end of 2026. Playmaker Puru, 23, and outside back Vea’ila, 22, are pushing for NRL debuts after helping to propel Newtown to the 2024 NSW Cup title. Hot on the heels of re-signing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad the Warriors have snared the signature of boom English forward Morgan Gannon on a three-year deal through to the end of 2028. The 21-year-old has made 59 Super League appearances and played for England Knights against Jamaica in 2021, alongside Knights second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul and Rabbitohs halfback Lewis Dodd. Gannon’s brother Jacob also plays in the Super League for Sam Burgess-coached Warrington Wolves. 

His father Jim was a Newcastle junior who captained NSW U18s and played for Balmain Tigers in 1998 and 1999 before moving to the Super League. “This is a great opportunity for me and one I had to take,” Gannon said in a statement on Thursday. “I have spent time in Australia with my dad’s family, and I know how big the game is over there. “I would like to thank the Rhinos for everything they have done to support me and the offer they made to me, this move is nothing to do with money, it is something I want to challenge myself with.” Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden described Gannon as a “quality young forward”. “We’re excited to add him to our roster for 2026 and beyond. Players out of the Super League are having a growing influence in the NRL and we see Morgan adding to that with us,” McFadden said. Meanwhile, classy fullback Nicoll-Klokstad has signed a new deal with the Warriors through to the end of the 2027 season. Nicoll-Klokstad’s two-year extension will stretch his second stay at the club to at least five seasons after earlier spending three years at the Warriors from 2016-18. “We’re thrilled Charnze has extended his time with us,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden. “He attracted interest from a lot of other clubs but has thankfully decided to stay here. “He’s important to us on so many levels, not least what he brings on the field but also with his leadership, attitude, guidance and contribution off the field.” The Roosters have extended the contract prop forward Taylor Losalu through to the end of 2027.​After helping the Club reach the 2023 Jersey Flegg grand final, Losalu stepped up to the NSW Cup in 2024, where he was named the Roosters’ NSW Cup Player of the Year. The 22-year-old made his NRL debut earlier this season and has already featured in three first-grade matches. Wests Tigers have announced Lachlan Galvin will depart the team at the end of the 2026 season in a major blow for the club’s rebuild.  Coach Benji Marshall had hoped to build his squad around the 19-year-old star for the next decade, with the Tigers desperate to fend off a host of rivals eager to swoop on the youngster.  “We would like to announce that Lachlan Galvin will not be with the club beyond the 2026 season,” the Wests Tigers said in a statement. 

“Despite the club having the largest contract offer for a junior in the history of the club on the table, Lachlan and his management have decided his future lies elsewhere and were not willing to review the offer. “It should be noted that the club has NO intention of releasing Lachlan from his contract, and he has not requested this.” Eels forward Joe Ofahengaue has been granted an immediate release from the final year of his contract.  The 29-year-old has reportedly signed a deal with English club Leigh Leopards.  Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have granted front-rower Tom Amone an immediate release to take up an opportunity with another club, likely in the UK Super League.  Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.  The deal ensures the Tongan international will remain with St George Illawarra until at least the end of next season.  Tuipulotu has produced the best start to a season of his career and Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is eager to see his continued improvement moving forward.  “We’re really pleased with Christian’s development this year,” Flanagan said.  “His strong carries from the backfield are just as important as his finishing and we’re glad to be able to extend his stay at the club.” Bulldogs back-rower Jaeman Salmon has re-signed with the club until the end of the 2027 season.  A premiership winner at the Panthers in 2022, Salmon has proven to be a valuable member of the Canterbury squad since switching clubs last season. The 26-year-old has developed into a leader of the squad, and has also shown his versatility by playing lock, second row, five-eighth and in the centres.  “Jaeman knows what success looks like, he has a strong relationship with Cameron Ciraldo and he is a well-admired and respected member of this squad,” Bulldogs GM off football Phil Gould said. “As one of the leaders of the club, we’re very pleased to see him re-commit to the Bulldogs and we believe he is a vital cog in what we are looking to achieve.” The Rabbitohs have extended the contract of middle forward Liam Le Blanc through to the end of the 2026 season. The 20-year-old has played eight NRL games since making his debut against Manly in Round 16 last year. “Liam signed with us in 2022, at the same time as his teammates Jye Gray and Tyrone Munro, and he has worked very hard to earn his first-grade debut, his subsequent NRL games and this contract extension,” said Rabbitohs head of recruitment and retention Mark Ellison. “This new contract will see him upgraded next year from a supplementary contract to an NRL Top 30 contract, and we look forward to watching him continue to improve and develop his game in the red and green of South Sydney.” The Warriors have secured the services of 19-year-old Newcastle five-eighth Jye Linnane on a three-year NRL contract from next season. Linnane is on a NRL development contract with the Knights in 2025 and was progressing well in pre-season training until he suffered an ACL injury in January after coming back from the same injury in his other knee last year. We’re excited to bring Jye to our club. He’s an exceptional talent and a terrific young man,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden. “His outstanding qualities as a player are his running game and his speed. We look forward to developing him in our system and giving him every opportunity.” Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has confirmed 2025 will be his last season at the club after formally declining a contract extension.  The Sea Eagles offered the halfback a two-year deal after he publicly declared on Monday his intentions to either depart or retire at the end of the season.  Cherry-Evans has stuck to his initial plan and turned down the offer. He is yet to determine if he will hang up the boots or play on in 2026.  “I wanted to confirm I was leaving the club now, rather than making a call later in the season, so that we can get on with our goal of winning a premiership,” he said. “I love this club and this group of players. “I am fully committed to giving my absolute best over the coming months to make this season the best it can possibly be for our team, our club, and our fans.”