The Cowboys have received a boost on the eve of the finals with Kangaroos forward Reuben Cotter extending his stay until the end of the 2028 season.
Born and bred in North Queensland, the Sarina Crocodiles junior has been in the Cowboys system since joining the Mackay Academy as a 15-year-old.
Now 25 and Cowboys co-captain alongside fellow Mackay product Tom Dearden, Cotter is entrenched as a linchpin of the North Queensland, Queensland and Australian forward packs.
Cotter faced early career adversity, missing almost the entirety of three consecutive seasons between 2016-18 with ACL injuries before making his NRL debut in 2019.
He has since gone on to make 79 appearances for the Cowboys over the course of six seasons, along with seven appearances for Queensland, five for Australia and two for the Indigenous All Stars.
“I love this club and I appreciate the opportunities the Eels have given me. I can’t wait to put the jersey back on and represent the Blue and Gold.”
Fellow Maroons Origin forward J’maine Hopgood has extended his stay with Parramatta until at least the end of the 2027 NRL season.
Already contracted with the Eels for next year, Hopgood has re-signed for a further two seasons.
He played for the Maroons in their Origin I triumph at Accor Stadium but suffered a back injury and has not played since.
“I love this club and I appreciate the opportunities the Eels have given me. I can’t wait to put the jersey back on and represent the Blue and Gold,” said Hopgood.
“I feel like I still have so much more to give, I’m committed to this team and to this club and I’m excited about the future.”
North Queensland’s all-time leading try scorer Kyle Feldt will depart the club at the end of the 2024 season to join St Helens on a two-year deal.
Feldt, who will forever be remembered for the try that forced the 2015 grand final into extra-time before Johnathan Thurston kicked the winning field goal, will replace 2018 IRL Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson, who is joining Catalans.
“This feels like the right choice and the right decision, not only for me but for my family,” Feldt said.
“”I know I’m coming to a great club with a very rich history of great players with great a work ethic as well. I’m eager to get over and meet the lads at the end of the year.
“I’m coming over to add some more accolades to my career, to help out the boys in the club, and I’m very eager to get silverware.
“When I was on the phone to Wello [St Helens coach Paul Wellens] he reaffirmed how the club has an expectation of winning, and that’s something that got me across the line.”
The Norths Thuringowa Devils junior has played 213 matches for the Cowboys since debuting in 2013.broke Matthew Bowen’s long-standing Cowboys try-scoring record when he crossed for the 131st time in front of his home fans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 5 this season.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision to make, but I feel the time is right,” Feldt said.
“I have been very fortunate to live out my childhood dream to play NRL for my hometown team for 11 years.
“The club has given me the opportunity to stay home where many other professional athletes have had to move away from their family. I’ve made some amazing memories and lifelong friends.”
Thursday’s game against the Melbourne Storm will be dedicated to farewelling Feldt and fellow veteran Jake Granville. Granville will complete a lap of honour prior to kick off, while Feldt will conduct his lap of honour after full-time.
The Cowboys have agreed to one-year contract extensions with half Jake Clifford and outside back Semi Valemei for the 2025 season.
Clifford returned to North Queensland on a one-year deal for 2024 after stints in Newcastle and the UK following his departure from the Cowboys in 2021.
Valemei has scored 10 tries in 13 games for the Cowboys since joining the club mid-season in 2023 and has made four appearances at NRL level in 2024.
“As a club we have been impressed with the way Jake has contributed to our overall program since he has come back from England,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.
“Another year gives Jake the opportunity to stamp his mark on the squad and be a major contributor to the success of our club.”
The Storm have announced the re-signing of prop Joe Chan, who is part of the Storm’s first father-son duo, joining father Alex (Storm player #71) in donning the purple jersey.
His extension matches that recently signed by his roommate and best mate, fellow Storm forward Alec Macdonald.
After playing 26 Super League matches for the Catalan Dragons, Chan arrived at the Storm at the end of the 2022 season.
“It’s such a great opportunity that the club has given me and being offered a new contract is a sign for me that they have faith in me and that my hard work is paying off,” Chan said.
“I wouldn’t be here today without my family’s support and sacrifices along the way and they are so happy for me getting this chance.
“My Mum, in particular, has been a big part of my journey. She has given up a lot and is the rock of the family. She gave up her dream job as a teacher’s aide at a primary school when our family moved to France.
“I love that I can build a future at such a good club with my flatmate and best mate Alec (Macdonald). Even though it’s considered work playing footy, I’m having fun and making lifelong friends.”
The Knights have re-signed back-rower Tom Cant for an additional two seasons through to the end of 2026.
The 22-year-old graduated through the Knights pathways system to make his NRL debut against the Dolphins in Round 3 last year.
“Tom is having a tremendous year in NSW Cup, and we believe he is primed to take that form into the NRL,” said Knights director of football Peter Parr.
The Eels have announced the signing of Isaiah Iongi from the Panthers on a three-year deal starting in 2025.
The 21-year-old fullback made his NRL debut in Round 22 and racked up 256 running metres in the Panthers’ 22-14 win over the Knights.
“Isaiah is a talented player with a promising future, he will be a wonderful addition to our backline next season,” said Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill.
Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers have announced the signing of seven players they hope will eventually progress into their top squad.
Emerging forward Lachlan Broederlow has signed a two-year deal that will see him progress to a development contract in 2026.
Switzerland-born prop Tim Johannssen will remain with the club for the next two years, while Jaxson Rahme, Kobie Wilson, Vaka Aho, Tristan Hope and Eiden Ackland complete the signings for coach Benji Marshall.
Earlier, the Roosters also locked down a pair of representative stars through to the end of 2027 in a major step forward for the club.
NSW Origin winners Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu have each signed two-year contract extensions in a move that provides more stability to the Roosters pack.
Watson returned to Bondi for his second stint with the club in 2022 however endured an injury interrupted two years before an impressive 2024 campaign that saw him make his Origin debut.
“Connor is a highly-valued member of this club for both the player and person he is,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said. “He is meticulous in his training and prep and will always put the team’s needs before his own.
“Above all, Connor is respected as a leading voice within our squad and community, so it’s really pleasing that his energy and experience will continue to benefit those around him.”
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed three emerging players until the end of the 2026 season, with including utility forwards Lachlan Hubner and Max McCarthy and five-eighth Gerome Burns signing on from next season.
Hubner and Burns will reunite with coach Wayne Bennett, with Hubner making his NRL debut with the Dolphins this year, while Burns – who has signed a development contract for 2025 and a top 30 deal for 2026 – also featured in the Pre-Season Challenge with the club.
McCarthy is a member of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks’ Jersey Flegg and has also has signed a development contract for 2025 and a top 30 deal for 2026.
The Dragons have announced the signing of representative outside back Valentine Holmes on a three-year deal from 2025.
The Cowboys earlier confirmed his early release from the final year of his contract, effective from the 2025 season.
Holmes has so far played 198 NRL matches for the Sharks and Cowboys, including winning the 2016 grand final, with 101 career tries.
“Valentine is a top-class, versatile player who will be a great asset for our club over the coming seasons,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.
Holmes also has 21 tries in 20 Tests for Australia, and 13 tries in 19 State of Origin matches for Queensland.
