Signing tracker: New South Wales local rugby league player movements for 2023

Keep up to date with the key signings and new additions of local rugby league across New South Wales with our player tracker. See the latest big name signing for the Young Cherrypickers.

AS ANTICIPATION builds for the upcoming local rugby league season, teams are in the midst of building their rosters for a shot at glory.

NewsLocal is keeping tabs on the all the big off-season moves and re-signings of your favourite club.

Keep up to date with our Local Footy Off-Season Tracker, and check back regularly for all the latest personnel changes.

YOUNG ADDS EX-RABBITOH

The Young Cherrypickers have received a huge boost for the Group 9 season with the addition of ex-Rabbitoh Zane Bijorac.

Coming through the junior pathways with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Bijorac played Jersey Flegg in 2021 before graduating to NSW Cup last season.

It was then he got a stint in an NRL trial against North Queensland, scoring a try and making a good impression.

Zane Bijorac. Picture: NRL Photos

It continues a strong recruitment and retention drive for the Cherrypickers, with Riverina Bulls trio Jake Walker, Josh Ayers and Ryan Dodson also onboard.

The three have helped the Bulls to advance to the final of the Men’s Country Championships to be held at Woy Woy this weekend against the Newcastle Rebels.

Bijorac’s impact was immediately felt when having a run in their latest trial at the weekend, scoring a double in a narrow loss to Gungahlin.

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NORTHERN RIVERS (NRRRL)

The Bilambil Jets have been proactive with their approach to the new season as they look to claim back-to-back NRRRL premierships.

They’ve already announced the signings of Alex Fitzhugh, Lachlan Garner, Brenton Daley-Holten, Kalani Hensby, Tyson Donnelly, Lachlan Hallard, Hayden Hansen and Caleb Nicholls for 2023.

A man with plenty of state cup experience in Jacob Hind returns to the fold, with Arwin Marcus leading the charge as coach once again.

Kasie Ridgewell is another with key experience for the women’s team.

The Byron Bay Red Devils are building up their charge with Sam Saville set to line up again this year.

It looks like a huge season ahead for the Evans Head Bombers.

They’ve got Josh Beech, Chad Banks, Brandon Anderson, Zach Roberts, Martin Kennedy, Aiden Kennedy, Glenn McGrady, Justin Shillingsworth and Trevor Bolt on their books.

The NRL experience of Roy Bell and Martin Kennedy will also come in very vital as they look to push their premiership claims.

Led by Bryce Poisel, the Cudgen Hornets have moved to bolster their ranks for the new year.

Star player Connor Ziebell is joined by Harvey Moase, Luke Toon, Sam Grant, Nick Andrews, Joel Hare, Zac Blattner, Andrew Battese, Caleb Ziebell, Ty Kilpatrick, Hayden Wilson and Jordan Kempnich.

The Hornets women also welcome back Grace Sleba, Charlee Anthony and Maggie Butler.

Marist Brothers Lismore welcome two huge names on board for next season, with the Queensland Cup experience of Mitch Shaw, and NRL veteran David Mead signed on.

They’re joined by Mitchell Krause, Paul O’Neill, Lochie Perren and Tony Gava in the blue and gold.

The Northern United Dirrawongs have wasted no time in sorting out their roster for a big season, with 17 names already confirmed.

Brett Kelly, Anthony Gadd, Timmy Torrens, David Jacky, Clarence Kelly, Malaki Ferguson, Jerome Green, Jamahl Roberts, Braeden Williams, Godfrey Swan, James Smith, Hezekiah McKenzie, Alan McKenzie, Jirra Breckenridge, Raymond Buchanan, Desmond Ferguson, Damon Coldwell and Theo Hippi have all put pen to paper.

The Tweed Coast Raiders are making moves in both the men’s and women’s ranks.

Daniel Ross, Jack Kuhnell and Drew Lanston head up the signings for the men, with Teaghan Hartigan and Sarah Newsome heading up the Ladies League Tag side.

The Mullumbimby Giants have been boosted with the return of three key players.

Tom Gibson, Tom Sowerby and Sam Lewis are all set to come back.

Jakob Smith, Chanse Perham and Liam Hori-Clarke head up the additions for the Kyogle Turkeys as they look for big improvements in 2023.

GROUP 9

The Gundagai Tigers have wasted no time in trying to sure up key players for their premiership defence.

They’ve added Joe Bromage, Noa Vanisi, Jack Lyons and Tristan Eldridge to their squads for 2023.

The quartet have also been chosen to represent the Riverina in the upcoming Country Championships.

Hot on their tails for premiership glory is the Young Cherrypickers, who have been boosted with the commitment of a number of players.

Jayke Hogan, Jake Walker, Nic Hall. Josh Ayers, Atu Tupou are all on board in the new year, with the latter trio also named in the Country Championships.

Four more players suiting up for the Riverina Bulls will be Temora Dragons representatives Hamish Starr, Hayden Lomax, Zachary Starr and Billy Reardon.

Zac Masters, Lachlan Bristow, Brayden Draber, Mitch Ivill, Jordan Anderson, Adam Pearce, Jacob Sturt and Michael Fenn form the Tumut Blues contingent of the representative side as they build a strong roster for a premiership charge.

Michael Cullen has also been signed by the club.

The Wagga Kangaroos went close last season, and they’re going about their preparations the right way with a host of signings.

Troy Barby, Charlie Barton, Ned Cooper, Ryan Cronin, Ben Cronin, Craig Field, Bowie Foster, Noa Fotu, Will Herring, Ollie Hoskin, Luke Ingram, Hayden Jolliffe, Tyler Jones, Jake Mascini, Simi Naiduki, Ben Pembleton, Nathan Rose, Jack Schubert, Brayden Sharrock and James Smart are all wearing blue and white this year.

Mascini, Ingram and Rose will also line up for the Bulls.

The Albury Thunder are looking to climb the ladder and believe they have the personnel to do so.

Jake Olam, Clayton Couley, Ty Fletcher, Carlos Kemp, Jade Duroux, Tom Rowney, Aidan Young, Isaac Carpenter, Lachlan Munro add a good backbone to the team.

Ella Hickey, Sommer Harris, Zali Harris, Gemma Blackhall and Jaxan Blackhall have all signed on for the league tag season as well.

The Junee Diesels are looking to return to their glory days, and there’s every chance they will.

Connor McAuley, David Williams, Ben Fisher, Jacob Holt, Trent Charlton, Will Holt, Terry Douglas, Sam Neale, Nick Hogarth, Jack McCarthy, Sireli Vulaono, Jeffrey Robbert, Hayden Diggins, Paula Naidke, Zach Singh, Ratu Saurara, Tom Carroll, Jese Wainibuli, Patrick Guthrie and Daniel Foley headline a host of signings by the club.

MACARTHUR

The South West Goannas have fired off a warning shot to rival teams with a huge coup for the 2023 season.

They’ve added former NRL star Tony Williams to the mix as a captain-coach of the side returning to the top flight of the Macarthur Rugby League.

Do you know any personnel changes of note? Inbox the Local Footy NSW Facebook page, or email [e-mail].