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Kitione Kautoga has been granted an immediate release from his contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Kitione Kautoga has been granted an immediate release from his contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

The Club has agreed to terms with Kautoga, granting the release so he can take up an opportunity at another NRL Club.

Kautoga has been a positive contributor to the Bulldogs both on and off the field. He featured in two first grade games in 2024 and the Bulldogs would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment during his time at Belmore.

“I feel like we’re building something special here and I have a real drive to see that through,” Papenhuyzen said.

“We’ve had the core group of our squad together for a while and played a lot of footy alongside each other. To stay in Melbourne and hopefully enjoy success together is something that motivates me.

“I’m excited for the season ahead and can’t wait to be back out on the field in front of a packed house at AAMI Park come Round 1. ”

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.

 

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