All the former NRL players competing in the 2023 Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup
The Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup kicks up a gear in 2023 with a number of ex-NRL players ready to get in the thick of the action. Check out the former top flight players to keep an eye out for this season.
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The Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup gets underway for 2023 this weekend.
Six teams will be competing for glory this season, with teams comprised of up and coming talents and established footy veterans.
Notably, there are a number of ex-NRL stars in the Cup this season, adding to the intrigue and anticipation of this year’s competition.
Read on to see which ex-NRL players will be competing locally this season.
Be sure to also check out the full season preview for the Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup.
Brad Takairangi
33-year-old Takairangi joins the Dapto Canaries for the 2023 season as he returns to the Illawarra.
The former Roosters, Titans, Eels player has dabbled between centre and second row throughout his career, making 178 NRL appearances before moving to the Super League with Hull KR.
This versatility, paired with his experience is set to have a positive impact on the side on and off the field.
Jarrod Mullen
Bittersweet for Corrimal this one, with news breaking in the last 24 hours that marquee signing Jarrod Mullen is undergoing shoulder surgery on an injury picked up in the pre-season, effectively ruling him out of the 2023 season with the Cougars.
A one-club man during his NRL days at the Newcastle Knights, the five-eighth signed on late last year allowing him to be actively involved in the side’s preparation for the 2023 season.
While he won’t be stepping on the field as expected this season, Mullen has committed his future to the club and he will still play a massive role off the field as the Cougars look to put a tough 2022 behind them.
Pita Godinet
Kiwi born Godinet had a 29 game NRL career that stretched from 2011 to 2018, the bulk of which was at the New Zealand Warriors, with short stints at the Manly Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers.
He also played for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League, but across his professional career never managed to nail down a starting spot wherever he travelled, operating predominantly from the bench.
Now with the Dapto Canaries, the half/hooker will look to bring the experience gained playing top flight footy over the last decade to his side.
Bradley Deitz
A short NRL career for Deitz but still bringing invaluable experience to the Thirroul Butchers in 2023.
Deitz made seven NRL appearances for Canterbury in the 2021 NRL season, debuting at the age of 26.
He’ll look to operate from the hooker role at the head of a strong Thirroul spine.
Jy Hitchcox
A mere four NRL appearances for Hitchcox at the back end of the 2014 season for the Wests Tigers, crossing for a try on debut.
Since then the winger has been well travelled in his club career across Europe, playing across a variety of clubs in England and France.
He knows how to find the line and has been labelled as a ‘surprise packet’ by his Wests Devils captain Mitch Porter.
Grant Millington
Millington played four seasons of NRL footy between Cronulla and Canterbury, before spending a decade overseas playing for Castleford.
He in fact holds the record for the most appearances for the Castleford Tigers from a foreign player.
Now at Wests Devils, the big prop forward in his late 30s brings great experience and skill to the forward pack.
Aaron Gray
Another former top flight footballer to put on the yellow of Dapto this season.
Playing centre or wing, Gray has 49 NRL appearances between 2015 and 2019 for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks.
Married to current NRLW superstar Tiana Penitani, the Mascot Jets junior crossed for 22 tries in the NRL and will bring some energy and experience to the Dapto side.
Sosaia Feki
New Zealand born Feki had a solid 149 game career in the NRL for the Cronulla Sharks, crossing for 67 tries from the wing and reaching the peak of winning the grand final in 2016.
After leaving the NRL for Castleford in 2020, he struggled with injuries, making just two appearances between 2020 and 2022.
He is set to reunite with former Castleford teammate Millington this season, with the Wests Devils excited to have his experience and attitude on board.
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