SAD NEW: Penrith Panthers announce that James Fisher-Harrisis Leaving immediately after facing……
SAD NEW: Penrith Panthers announce that James Fisher-Harrisis Leaving immediately after facing……
“He’s shown his quality over a number of seasons since he was a kid,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson told media upon confirming the acquisition on Saturday.
“He obviously has an effect on an opposition in the way he runs and carries the ball… his ability to score a try on his own.
“The best footy is definitely ahead of him… there’s some really good years there for an NRL player.”
Fifita’s fellow Queensland Origin star Dane Gagai meanwhile will remain at the Newcastle Knights for at least two more years after signing a contract extension with the club.
The new deal keeps the centre in Newcastle for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with a mutual option for 2027.
Knights Director of Football Peter Parr is confident the 33-year-old will continue to make an impact on and off the field.
“Dane is one of the best outside backs in the NRL and is playing as well as ever,” Parr said.
“When you combine his on-field performance, experience and leadership, Dane is a highly valued member of our club.
“We believe this re-signing will not only benefit the current playing group but will assist educate and elevate future Newcastle Knights NRL players.”
English star Lewis Dodd is heading down under after signing with the South Sydney Rabbitohs on a three-year deal. The 22-year-old is considered one of the most promising prospects in the Super League, having led St Helens to the 2021 premiership and kicked the winning field goal to secure a 13-12 victory over the Panthers in the 2023 World Club Challenge.
The halfback has signed with South Sydney on a three-year deal from 2025 that keeps him at the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2027 season.
“Lewis is one of the rising stars in England and he indicated to us that he wanted to test himself in the NRL and the Rabbitohs were the club he wanted to do that with,” Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison said.
“He is only 22 years-of-age, but he has already won a Super League Premiership and a World Club Challenge with St Helens and he has all of the attributes that it takes to make it in the NRL. Our dealings with him have been first class and we’re looking forward to having him join our club for the 2025 pre-season.”
Meanwhile Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary has announced that he will retire from rugby league at the end of the 2024 NRL season.
Keary made his NRL debut with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 9 of the 2013 season, playing 63 games. Player number 1167 for the Roosters, Keary made his club debut in the opening round of the 2017 season.
