Local heroes: Meet the 75+ ex-NRL players and coaches giving back to their community footy clubs
Community footy is the lifeblood of rugby league, and there are a host of familiar faces running around across NSW. We look at the 75+ ex-NRL players giving back to local footy this season.
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Local footy is the lifeblood of communities, and some top names are giving back in a big way.
A host of ex-NRL players and coaches have returned to community football to continue their involvement in the game.
We take a look at the big names who are making a difference in their local leagues.
JUMP TO
Central Sydney - Canberra/Group 9 - Central Coast/Newcastle - Illawarra/South Coast - Macarthur - Northern Region - Western
CENTRAL SYDNEY
DANIEL VASQUEZ
St Joseph’s - NSWRL Southern Sydney
Former club - Sharks
Played just the one game of NRL with the Sharks in 2020. A Chilean representative in World Cup qualifiers who captains St Joseph’s in the front row.
OMAR SLAIMANKHEL
Kogarah Cougars - NSWRL Southern Sydney
Former club - Warriors
The Pakistan born outside back spent his formative years in New Zealand and represented the Warriors on five occasions in 2012. Headed to Japan the following year and played three seasons of professional rugby union.
ROY ASOTASI
Coogee Dolphins - Souths Juniors
Former clubs - Bulldogs, Rabbitohs
A premiership player with the Bulldogs and captain of the Rabbitohs during their resurgent years, Asotasi captained New Zealand as well during his illustrious playing career. Has linked with the Dolphins as a player/coach and is helping with pathways as well.
TINIRAU ARONA
St Clair Comets - Penrith District
Former clubs - Roosters, Sharks
A powerful forward, Arona returns to his junior club after a distinguished professional career spanning 12 seasons in the NRL and Super League. After leaving Cronulla in 2015, Arona added another 163 games with Wakefield.
JASON CLARK
Coogee-Randwick Wombats - Souths Juniors
Former club - Rabbitohs
One of the Rabbitohs fans most beloved players during his 172-game stint with the club, including winning a long overdue premiership in 2014. He’s a Wombats junior and life member, and it’s fitting he makes his A-grade return with the club.
JOHN SUTTON (COACH)
South Eastern Seagulls - Souths Juniors
Former club - Rabbitohs
Holds the record for most games played at the Rabbitohs and the current assistant coach with the club is giving back to his junior league by taking the reins as coach of the South Eastern Seagulls.
TONY WILLIAMS (COACH)
Marrickville Kings - Souths Juniors
Former clubs - Bulldogs, Eels, Sea Eagles, Sharks
Burst onto the scene as a huge second rower, the man they call T-Rex played 170 games of NRL over 11 seasons where he represented NSW, Tonga and Australia. He’s now back as an assistant coach with the Marrickville Kings.
CANBERRA/GROUP 9
SAM WILLIAMS
Queanbeyan Kangaroos - Canberra
Former clubs - Raiders, Dragons
A Cooma boy who went on to play over 100 games of first grade including three separate stints with the Canberra Raiders. Williams has also played Super League, represented NSW Country and is now the captain/coach of the Kangaroos in Queanbeyan.
JOSH MCCRONE
Temora Dragons - Group 9
Former clubs - Raiders, Dragons
Such a versatile half during his 161-game NRL stint with both the Raiders and Dragons, McCrone was also part of the Toronto Wolfpack set up in Canada. He returned home to Temora to take on captain/coach duties with the club in Group 9.
JUSTIN CARNEY
Albury Thunder - Group 9
Former clubs - Raiders, Roosters
A Dubbo local who is now back as a player/coach in the Group 9 competition with Albury. Carney impressed in his 37 NRL games and was quickly snapped up by the Super League, where the outside back scored 79 tries in his 110 games there.
AARON GORRELL (COACH)
Wagga Brothers - Group 9
Former clubs - Dragons, Broncos
Has given back to bush footy in recent times, with stints at Queanbeyan and now as the head coach of the Wagga Brothers. A Wollongong junior who chalked up 60 NRL games with the Dragons and Broncos.
MITCH CORNISH (COACH)
Goulburn City - Canberra
Former clubs - Raiders, Roosters
Was an absolute young star coming through the ranks of the U20s competition and underage Origin clashes. Played just the 20 NRL games but is now giving back with his time as the coach of Goulburn City.
CENTRAL COAST/NEWCASTLE
TAUTAU MOGA
Western Suburbs - Newcastle
Former clubs - Roosters, Cowboys, Broncos, Knights, Rabbitohs, Dragons
Moga played 87 games in his 12 years of first grade with six clubs, but you wonder what could’ve been if he wasn’t hit so hard with injuries throughout his tenure. Now part of a star-studded Wests team in the Denton Engineering Cup.
BLAKE AUSTIN
The Entrance Tigers - Newcastle
Former clubs - Panthers, Tigers, Raiders
Burst onto the scene and made a name for himself as an electric utility. Austin represented Portugal as a 16-year-old before going onto play more than 230 games of NRL and Super League. Was a high profile recruit for The Entrance this season.
DAVID FIFITA
The Entrance Tigers - Newcastle
Former club - Sharks
While Fifita only played the 19 NRL games with the Sharks, he enjoyed a successful tenure with Wakefield Trinity, playing over 150 games with the club in the UK.
LUKE WALSH
Western Suburbs - Newcastle
Former clubs - Knights, Panthers
Made his debut with the Knights in 2007 in the post-Andrew Johns era, before going on to play more than 240 games of NRL and Super League. Has been a star in the quality Newcastle competition in recent years.
WILL SMITH
Western Suburbs - Newcastle
Former clubs - Eels, Tigers, Panthers, Titans
Comes back to his junior club of the Rosellas after an NRL career that saw him play just under 100 games. Represented the Indigenous All Stars and continues to give back at the Koori Knockout.
BRAD TIGHE
Northern Hawks - Newcastle
Former clubs - Knights, Panthers, Titans
Enjoyed an 11-year career at the elite level that saw him play 171 games of NRL and line up for the Indigenous All Stars as well. Features as one of the Northern Hawks’ key players with their recent inclusion into A-grade.
BROCK LAMB
Maitland Pickers - Newcastle
Former clubs - Knights, Roosters
The NRL’s loss has been Maitland’s gain with the 27-year-old helping the Pickers to cement themselves as one of Australia’s best club footy team. Played 32 games with the Knights before an additional seven with the Roosters and London Broncos.
TERENCE SEU SEU
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs - Newcastle
Former clubs - Knights, Sharks, Sea Eagles
Cracked the half century for games in first grade and went on to represent Samoa four times during his playing career. Now is part of the Bulldogs team after stints with the Knights, Sharks and Sea Eagles.
ADAM CLYDSDALE
Scone Thoroughbreds - Group 21
Former clubs - Knights, Raiders, Sharks
Clydsdale has been an important part of the Scone Thoroughbreds and their complete domination of the Group 21 competition as captain/coach, with the Scone native giving back after a 57-game NRL career.
ANDREW FIFITA
Woy Woy Roosters - Central Coast
Former clubs - Tigers, Sharks
Without doubt the biggest name in the Central Coast competition, the former Origin and Australia representative has joined his brothers Blake and Kyle McLean at Woy Woy for his first run since retiring from the NRL at the end of the 2022 season.
BEN MARSCHKE
Kincumber Colts - Central Coast
Former club - Roosters
The hooker, who played 13 games for the Sydney Roosters in 2021, is one of two big-name signings for the Kincumber Colts on the Central Coast. Still just 26, he has plenty to offer to the side in the local competition.
BEN THOMAS
Kincumber Colts - Central Coast
Former club - Roosters
The big prop returns to his junior club Kincumber for the 2024 season. After playing seven games for the Sydney Roosters between 2021 and 2023, he’ll bring plenty of go-forward to the Colts.
DYLAN PYTHIAN
Lakes United Seagulls - Newcastle
Former club - Knights
The fullback/half, who played three games for the Knights in 2016 and 2017, is back where it all started, rejoining junior club Lakes United in the Newcastle competition after stints with Burleigh and Blacktown Workers in the Q Cup and NSW Cup, respectively.
PENI TEREPO
Macquarie Scorpions - Newcastle
Former club - Eels
A Tongan international forward who played 123 games for Parramatta over the course of his eight-year professional career, Terepo is one of the biggest names running around in local footy for Macquarie in Newcastle.
PETER MATA’UTIA
Lakes United Seagulls - Newcastle
Former clubs - Knights, Dragons
The 33-year-old has returned home to Newcastle after an accomplished 13-year career in the both the NRL and Super League. Playing anywhere from fullback, wing to five-eighth, Mata’utia has been lining up at lock for Lakes United in 2024.
NATHAN ROSS
Western Suburbs - Newcastle
Former club - Knights
A cult favourite during his four seasons with the Knights, Ross returns to rugby league with the Rosellas after retiring from the game due to injuries in 2019. He is making a comeback under his old coach Rick Stone.
BRAYDEN MUSGROVE
Cessnock Goannas - Newcastle
Former club - Knights
The big outside back, who made seven appearances for the Knights in 2021, is back home at his junior club Cessnock. Still only 26, Musgrove has plenty to offer and was named the competition’s centre of the year in 2023.
FRANK-PAUL NU’UAUSALA
South Newcastle Lions - Newcastle
Former clubs - Roosters, Raiders
A 230-game veteran, ‘Frank-Paul the Wrecking Ball’ has been immense since joining Souths in the Newcastle competition, lining up in the front row for the Lions as they seek to go one better in 2024.
HARRY SIEJKA
Cessnock Goannas - Newcastle
Former club - Panthers
The playmaker and former Poland international has turned more of a focus to coaching in 2024, taking control of the Goannas as head coach after captain-coaching the side in recent years.
ARANA TAUMATA
Wyong Roos - Newcastle
Former clubs - Bulldogs, Cowboys, Panthers
A talented playmaker who had his NRL career cut short by disciplinary reasons, Taumata has returned to rugby league with Wyong in 2024.
SAM ANDERSON
Maitland Pickers - Newcastle
Former club - Panthers
The big forward, who played seven games for the Panthers between 2013 and 2015, has been an integral part of the all-conquering Maitland side of recent years, which has taken out back-to-back Newcastle premierships and three-straight Presidents Cup titles.
RICK STONE (COACH)
Western Suburbs - Newcastle
Former club - Knights
Best known for coaching the Newcastle Knights on two separate occasions, Stone is back in the Newcastle local league with Wests after stints leading UK Super League side Huddersfield, the Sydney Roosters NRLW team and both the Fiji and Lebanon national teams.
MICHAEL SULLIVAN (COACH)
Berkeley Vale Panthers - Central Coast
Former clubs - Sharks, Bulldogs
The former Cronulla, Warrington and Canterbury hooker might have finally hung up the boots this season at the age of 43, but Sullivan remains deeply involved with the CCRL as coach of Berkeley Vale.
ILLAWARRA/SOUTH COAST
JAMES HASSON
De La Salle - Illawarra
Former club - Sea Eagles
An Irish international who has featured at the World Cup, Hasson is a front rower who kitted up for Manly 39 times, and now has linked with his junior club De La Salle in the tough Illawarra competition.
PITA GODINET
Dapto Canaries - Illawarra
Former clubs - Warriors, Sea Eagles, Tigers
A handy hooker who represented Samoa 15 times throughout his career, Godinet notched 29 games in the NRL with three clubs, as well as 41 games with Wakefield in the Super League.
JOSEPH LEILUA
Dapto Canaries - Illawarra
Former clubs - Roosters, Knights, Raiders, Tigers
Something exciting was always bound to happen when Leilua was on the field. Clocked up 200+ games in the NRL with four clubs and has twice been named Dally M Centre of the Year. A 15-test veteran with Samoa, Leilua has joined the Canaries for the new season.
JAMES SEGEYARO
Western Suburbs - Illawarra
Former clubs - Cowboys, Panthers, Sharks, Broncos, Sea Eagles
Segeyaro played over 150 games of first grade for five clubs in a sometimes controversial but always entertaining career. The Papua New Guinea international returned from England at the end of last season to play in Illawarra.
TYRELL FUIMAONO
Thirroul Butchers - Illawarra
Former clubs - Rabbitohs, Dragons, Panthers
Was a handy back-rower who played some key games for the Rabbitohs before lining up in 40 NRL matches for the Dragons. Joined the Thirroul Butchers this year to further strengthen the competition.
JARROD MULLEN
Corrimal Cougars - Illawarra
Former club - Knights
A Newcastle stalwart in the post-Andrew Johns era, Mullen played over 200 games with his beloved Knights, including earning a Blues jersey in 2007. Made his first grade debut at 18
GEORGE JENNINGS
Western Suburbs - Illawarra
Former clubs - Panthers, Eels, Warriors, Storm
The brother of current Roosters Michael, George played 56 games of NRL over the journey and scored at a consistent rate. After winning the Queensland Cup last year, Jennings returned to NSW to link with Wests.
JOSH STARLING
Shellharbour Sharks - Group 7
Former clubs - Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Knights
The brother of current Roosters Michael, George played 56 games of NRL over the journey and scored at a consistent rate. After winning the Queensland Cup last year, Jennings returned to NSW to link with Wests.
STEVEN MARSTERS
Thirroul Butchers - Illawarra
Former club - Rabbitohs
A hard-running front rower who has been having a big impact in the Illawarra competition, Starling had a solid career of 80 games in NRL, most notably with the Manly Sea Eagles.
DYLAN FARRELL
Nowra-Bomaderry Jets - Group 7
Former clubs - Rabbitohs, Dragons
A 90-game NRL player who made headlines on his Rabbitohs debut with a hat-trick of tries. Farrell has been with Nowra-Bomaderry since 2018 and is a regular feature at the Koori Knockout.
ADAM QUINLAN
Nowra-Bomaderry Jets - Group 7
Former club - Dragons
Quinlan played the 29 games of NRL football, all with St George Illawarra, along with 77 at the Super League level for both St Helens and Hull KR. A South Coast junior, it’s fitting he has player/coach duties with Nowra-Bomaderry.
MACARTHUR
COREY NORMAN
Thirlmere Roosters - Macarthur
Former clubs - Broncos, Eels, Dragons
The former Broncos and Origin star, who played more than 250 games at the top level, enjoyed one of the most colourful careers in the NRL and was a great personality. Is now with a star-studded Thirlmere Roosters side.
KEN SIO
Thirlmere Roosters - Macarthur
Former clubs - Eels, Knights
A popular finisher during his eight seasons with the Eels and Knights, Sio accumulated 54 tries in 98 appearances before wrapping up his professional career with Salford. Thrived in the Super League scoring more than a century of four-pointers.
CURTIS SCOTT
Thirlmere Roosters - Macarthur
Former clubs - Storm, Raiders
Following a high profile NRL exit, the one-time Origin candidate continues to juggle bush footy with a promising career in the ring. Starred in last season’s grand final, and was a key figure in Thirlmere’s title.
TIM SIMONA
Thirlmere Roosters - Macarthur
Former club - Tigers
A classy Tigers centre, Simona’s rise was curtailed by off field misdemeanours. Returned with stints at Blacktown and Mounties in the NSW Cup, and last season was a star in the No.6 during Thirlmere’s grand final victory.
BRAD TAKAIRANGI
South West Goannas - Macarthur
Former clubs - Roosters, Titans, Eels
A World Cup international with New Zealand and Cook Islands, the utility punched out 178 NRL games over 11 seasons until 2020. Spent a couple of seasons at Salford before joining Dapto and more recently South West Goannas in the Macarthur comp.
GREG EASTWOOD
South West Goannas - Macarthur
Former clubs - Broncos, Bulldogs
Seems to have been around forever. After debuting with Brisbane in 2005, the Kiwi international spent 13 seasons in the top flight making 241 NRL appearance. After stints at Newtown and Glebe he is now the face of rising Macarthur club, South West Goannas.
AVA SEUMANUFAGAI
Campbelltown City Kangaroos - Macarthur
Former clubs - Tigers, Sharks, Bulldogs
The hard working middle toiled away for three NRL clubs over ten seasons. After completing a Super League stint in late 2023, he returned to Campbelltown and is now captain-coach of local club City Kangaroos.
JUNIOR MOORS
Campbelltown City Kangaroos - Macarthur
Former clubs - Panthers, Tigers, Storm
Born in New Zealand, the dynamic forward made the last of 69 NRL appearances with Melbourne in 2014. A Samoan international, he continued his career with Castleford and Featherstone, and now packs down for Campbelltown City.
DANNY FUALALO
Camden Rams - Macarthur
Former club - Bulldogs
A damaging prop with a massive engine, the Camden Rams powerhouse has been named Macarthur player of the year and forged his reputation in five seasons at Canterbury.
TRENT PEOPLES
Camden Rams - Macarthur
A reliable backrower, Peoples played a couple of first grade games for South Sydney in 2022 before returning home to the Macarthur region with the Camden Rams.
ALFRED SMALLEY
Narellan Jets - Macarthur
Former club - Sea Eagles
The fiery outside back played two games for Manly in 2022, earning his debut during the infamous rainbow jersey saga.
MICHAEL LETT
Picton Magpies - Macarthur
Former clubs - Roosters, Dragons, Bulldogs
A four-time premiership winner for Picton, now 37, the outside back remains elusive as ever and continues to shelve retirement. Spent his early days at three NRL clubs until 2011.
BRYSON GOODWIN
Mittagong Lions - Macarthur
Former clubs - Sharks, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs
Still chugging along with Mittagong Lions in the Southern Highlands, the 38-year-old continues to display the same reliability that made him a regular during a 14-year professional career in the NRL and England.
NATHAN GARDNER
East Campbelltown Eagles - Macarthur
Former club - Sharks
Sizzled at the back for Cronulla over five seasons until 2014. Took an extended break from the game before coming out of retirement last season with East Campbelltown, where his family is heavily involved.
SIMON WOOLFORD (COACH)
Picton Magpies - Macarthur
The sixth most capped Raider with 233 NRL appearances, the firey No.9 wound up his playing career at the Dragons in 2008. Now coaching, Woolford fronted Huddersfield in the UK Super League before stints with the Queanbeyan Blues and now Picton.
NORTHERN REGION
TYRONNE ROBERTS-DAVIS
Nambucca Roosters - Group 2
Former club - Titans
After managing seven games for the Gold Coast as a 20-year-old speedster, Roberts-Davis returned home to Nambucca Heads last year to play for local club the Roosters. Still only 26, the fullback still has plenty of good footy ahead of him and is one of the top players in the Group 2 competition.
FRANK WINTERSTEIN
Macksville Sea Eagles - Group 2
Former clubs - Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Panthers
The big forward, who represented Samoa nine times over the course of his 13-year professional career, has turned out for Macksville in Group 2 since 2022 and provides plenty of muscle and experience in the pack.
LUKE DOUGLAS
Lower Clarence Magpies - NRRRL
Former clubs - Sharks, Titans
The 350-game NRL and Super League veteran has been a godsend for his junior club, spearheading a remarkable revival that saw Lower bounce back from pulling out of the 2022 A-grade due to a lack of numbers to making the 2023 finals.
TODD CARNEY
Byron Bay Red Devils - NRRRL
Former clubs - Raiders, Roosters, Sharks
The former Dally M Medal winner is taking part in his sixth season with the Red Devils. And while the 37-year-old suffered a bicep injury that will put him out of action for the bulk of the season, he’s focusing his efforts on coaching the young side in the NRRRL.
CODY NELSON
Mullumbimby Giants - NRRRL
Former clubs - Titans, Eels
One of a host of former NRL players returning to their junior clubs in the Northern Rivers, Nelson - who played 11 games for Gold Coast and Parramatta - has teamed up with Ex-NRL master coach Chris Anderson to lead a revival in his home town of Mullumbimby.
MICHAEL GORDON
Tweed Coast Raiders - NRRRL
Former clubs - Panthers, Sharks, Eels, Roosters, Titans
After a couple of seasons interrupted by injury, the 40-year-old former NRL winger, who played one game for NSW in 2010, is back on deck with his junior club full-time for a final swan song in 2024.
RYAN WALKER
Kyogle Turkeys - NRRRL
Former club - Panthers
The brother of superstar Cody Walker, who himself played three games for the Panthers in 2011, will line-up for a resurgent Kyogle after being one of the Turkeys’ big-name signings in the off-season.
TYRONE ROBERTS
Northern United Dirawongs - NRRRL
Former clubs - Knights, Titans
Arguably the NRRRL’s biggest new signing for 2024, the former Newcastle and Gold Coast halfback brings an extra element of class to the competition after signing on with Northern United.
JAMES ROBERTS
Northern United Dirawongs - NRRRL
Former clubs - Rabbitohs, Panthers, Titans, Broncos, Tigers
One of two huge signings for the Dirawongs alongside his namesake Tyrone Roberts, Jimmy the Jet brings incredible strikepower to the NRRRL in his return to football.
ROY BELL
Evans Head Bombers - NRRRL
Former club - Rabbitohs
Set to turn 40 this year, Bell - who played nine games for Souths across 2004 and 2005 - is one of the elder statement of the NRRRL. With the ability to play fullback, hooker or in the halves, he is a huge asset for Evans Head.
BRIAN SMITH (COACH)
Casino Cougars - NRRRL
Former clubs - Dragons, Eels, Knights, Roosters
One of Casino’s most famous rugby league men, 679-game coaching veteran Brian Smith has returned to his roots to help out his hometown club as a coaching consultant in 2024, offering advice and training to Casino’s senior and junior coaches.
BRENT KITE (COACH)
Tweed Coast Raiders - NRRRL
Former clubs - Dragons, Sea Eagles
The ex-Australia and Origin star returns to Tweed Coast to coach the Raiders in 2024 after having won premierships with the club in 2018 and 2020.
CHRIS ANDERSON (COACH)
Mullumbimby Giants - NRRRL
Former clubs - Bulldogs, Storm, Sharks, Roosters
Arguably the biggest name in the competition, the NRL-winning player and coach, who also played for and coached Australia, has returned to football by coaching Mullumbimby.
WESTERN
BLAKE FERGUSON
Wellington Cowboys - Western
Former clubs - Roosters, Eels, Raiders, Sharks
One of the true entertainers in the game, Ferguson has a long career in the NRL that saw him play 250 games on his way to winning a premiership and representing his state and country. After a short stint in Macarthur last season and starting the year with Kurri Kurri, ‘Fergo’ is now back home in Wellington.
SHANE RODNEY (COACH)
Orange Hawks - Western
Former clubs - Panthers, Sea Eagles
Regarded as a tough forward with over 130 games of NRL experience with the Panthers and Sea Eagles, Rodney now finds himself as head coach of the Orange Hawks in the strong Peter McDonald Premiership.
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