“We think a comeback to the NRL with our club will be just what Josh needs to get his career back on track,” Ellison said.
“We’re confident that he can use this second opportunity at NRL level, at a new club with new coaches, new teammates and renewed expectations, to resume his NRL career and achieve his and the team’s goals.”
Newcastle Knights have secured the signatures of edge Taj Annan and Francis Manuleleua for the next three National Rugby League seasons, adding size and speed to their top 30 playing ranks, until at least 2027.
Manuleleua is an edge back rower, while Annan will return to his hometown of Newcastle, after playing Super Rugby for the Queensland Reds and representing Australia in the Under 20 rugby world championship in 2023.
National Schoolboy Cup winners Sam Stephenson and Zane Harrison have been rewarded for leading Palm Beach Currumbin to victory in last week’s final with development contracts at the Gold Coast Titans.
The pair have long been in the club’s system and trained with the first-grade side last pre-season and will take a major step towards NRL debuts when they join the squad on a full-time basis.
Harrison won the Peter Sterling Medal in last week’s last gasp victory over Patrician Brothers Blackton while Stephenson is preparing to play two matches for the Australian Schoolboys in October.
Raiders hooker Zac Woolford is leaving the national capital to join Huddersfield in the Super League competition.
Woolford has signed a one-year deal with the Giants and farewells the Green Machine after three seasons and 39 NRL matches for the club.
“Zac has been a wonderful contributor in his time with the club and is a very well-liked player amongst the group. We wish him all the best as he looks to further is career,” said Raiders CEO Don Furner
