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https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2019/03/04/2019-nrl-rosters-official-squads-updated-for-all-teams/
The game's next generation of gun playmakers join cross-code converts and rugby league nomads as notable additions to the first comprehensive top 30 squads published by the NRL.
Each of the sixteen clubs confirmed their 29-man squads on March 1, with all bar the Bulldogs and Souths keeping a final spot available for a mid-season signing up until June 30.
The rise of Parramatta prodigy Dylan Brown was confirmed earlier on Monday with the 18-year-old's upgrade to their top squad, while Roosters counterpart Lachlan Lam has capped a similar ascent at Bondi with a new two-year deal.
The son of former PNG and Queensland Origin half Adrian, Lam is being groomed as Cooper Cronk's successor to the same No.7 jersey his old man wore.
Lam, 20, has re-signed with the Tricolours until the end of 2020 after an approach from Wigan, where Adrian is coaching in a one-year interim role for the youngster to join on the same timeframe.
Outside back Matt Ikuvalu has also earned a new full-time contract after a train-and-trial deal last year saw the Central Coast factory worker rise to a well deserved NRL debut.
Elsewhere former Wallabies squad member and Queensland Reds flyer Izaia Perese has landed a spot in Brisbane's top squad, taking the long way back to rugby league where he played schoolboy footy alongside Kalyn Ponga and Jaydn Su'A.
As per the latest CBA agreement, the 29-man club-by-club lists are made up of contracts that have been lodged with the NRL.
Not all deals however have been officially registered by head office.
As always in rugby league, signings and player shuffling will continue across the season, with Cronulla's salary cap punishment and potential salary cap relief over the respective stand downs of Jack de Belin and Dylan Walker looming as post March 1 circuit breakers.
Sharks management hope to have their roster reshaped as soon as this week, with Ava Seumanufagai weighing up an offer from Leeds, to be cap compliant by round one.
Following feedback from clubs the rules regarding development players will be relaxed slightly in 2019, with no exemption required for them to play post June 30.
Before the mid-season cut-off date those players will still have to be upgrade or extenuating circumstances proven – such as an injury toll that cuts down all top 30 members available in that position.
Brisbane Broncos
Anthony Seibold's confirmation as coach saw the Broncos tie up a few critical loose ends late last year, extensions for Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai jnr being worked through. As well as Perese, Richie Kennar has also been upgraded from a train-and-trial contract while the Broncos boast two seriously rated young playmakers – Cory Paix and Tanah Boyd – in their full six-man development list.
Development players
Cory Paix, Ethan Bullemor, Herbie Farnworth, Ilikena Vudogo, Jake Turpin, Tanah Boyd
Canberra Raiders
Former Warriors prodigy Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and ex-New Zealand Rugby Sevens Olympian Bailey Simonsson have come into Ricky Stuart's squad as contenders for the Raiders fullback spot. Queensland under 20s back-rower Corey Horsburgh has also earned a new deal and a top 30 squad, while a call is still yet to be made by the club on ex-Knights hooker Tom Starling, who has spent the summer on a train and trial deal.
Having arrived from Newcastle over the summer, JJ Felise is now going by Collins, taking on his mother's name.
Development players
Brendan O'Hagan, Kyle Paterson, Andre Niko, Reuben Porter
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are the only team to lock in their full 30-man quota for 2019. Outside back Morgan Harper was the last man added to the blue and white roster with club officials telling NRL.com it will be another 12 months until the club sees "blue skies" from the well-publicised salary cap issues of the Des Hasler era.
Development players
Jarred Anderson, Tuipulotu Katoa, James Roumanos
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks have named their 29-man squad as per regulations but will re-shape their roster by round one, with Seumanufagai the likely departee due to the club's salary cap punishment. Should James Segeyaro's one-year deal be ratified by the NRL, minimum wage earners will almost certainly fill the last two spots in Cronulla's top 30 given they must operate with $353,000 less than their rivals over the next two years.
Development players
Brayden Trindall, Teig Wilton, Daniel Vasquez, Jackson Ferris, Toby Rudolf, Joshua Carr
Gold Coast Titans
Nineteen-year-old Treymain Spry is the latest addition to the squad, signing on until the end of 2020 after breaking a couple of club records in the gym over the summer.
His upgrade from a train-and-trial deals comes after the Roosters released the Ipswich junior due to homesickness.
Development players
Darius Farmer, Jaxson Paulo, Kupe Pere
Manly Sea Eagles
Manly have one spot remaining on their roster with Trent Hodkinson taking up a 2019 option, while Dylan Walker's suspension until at least round 9 due to domestic violence charges being before the courts leaves them a man short.
The Sea Eagles have the opportunity to apply for salary cap dispensation to replace Walker, but may yet hold fire until the ex-NSW Origin centre's future is finalised given the club's financial pressures.
Development players
Luke Metcalf, Sean Keppie, Jade Anderson
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne's 29-man squad is expected to see some change before round one, with Sam Kasiano exploring options elsewhere as the club manages a tight salary cap. Scott Drinkwater's cruel 3-4 month pec injury picked up on the weekend won't change the Storm's plans with the last few spots in their roster given back up options Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Sandor Earl are already on the books.
Development players
Cooper Johns, Harry Grant, Kayleb Milne, Kelma Tuilagi
Newcastle Knights
The Knights big summer spending has seen David Klemmer (Bulldogs), James Gavet (Warriors), Kurt Mann (Dragons), Hymel Hunt (Rabbitohs) and Zac Woolford (Bulldogs) all land in the Hunter since Newcastle announced the minimum 24-man squad in November.
NSW under age half Phoenix Crossland starts the season on a development contract and is signed with the club until the end of 2021.
Development players
Beau Fermor, Phoenix Crossland, Brayden Musgrove
New Zealand Warriors
Taane Milne returns to the NRL ranks after he was sacked by the Tigers for second breach of the game's illicit drugs policy. He has a two-year deal with the Warriors, while former Roosters prop Jackson Frei and Dragons outside back Patrick Herbert come into Stephen Kearney's full-time squad as well. Issac Luke's 2019 contract has also been upgraded with a pre-June 30 exit clause removed.
Development players
Selestino Ravutaumada, Paul Turner, Eliesa Katoa
North Queensland Cowboys
The addition of Peter Hola – all 192cm, 110 kilos of him – to the top 30 on a four-year extension leaves the Cowboys with one spot to fill by the mid-year transfer cut-off.
Former fringe Bronco Carlin Anderson remains on a development deal after an injury-plagued 2018 Intrust Super Cup campaign.
Development players
Carlin Anderson, Reuben Cotter, Thomas Gilbert, Kurt Wiltshire, Logan Bayliss, Daniel Russell
Parramatta Eels
Dylan Brown's upgrade to the Eels first grade squad comes hot on the heels of Reed Mahoney's extension last year, with Parramatta investing internally in their playmakers after relying on recruits in previous years. Corey Norman's exit over summer leaves them with a decent war chest prior to June 30.
Development players
Stefano Utoikamanu, Ethan Parry, Salesi Fainga'a
Penrith Panthers
Hame Sele arrived late last year as a cut-price replacement for ex-Kangaroo Trent Merrin (Leeds). His addition on a one-year deal with another season's option in Penrith's favour is the only change out west since November. Blore brothers Shawn – who represented the Junior Roos last year – and Dean – who played for the Junior Kiwis in the same game – headline the latest list of talented Panthers kids.
Development players
William Burns, Dean Blore, Brian Too, Shawn Blore, Spencer Leniu, Brayden McGrady
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs shifting of Robert Jennings to Wests Tigers eases salary cap pressure on the Foundation Club, who are likely to promote from within for their final top 30 spot. Former Manly prop Tom Amone is already impressing at Redfern since arriving in early February.
Development players
Dean Hawkins, Ky Rodwell, Joshua Cook, Taealoaloa Amone
St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons have the heady question marks around Jack de Belin hanging over their roster, with the club still in talks about what salary cap relief for the NSW forward is available. Fijian international and utility Joe Lovodua has been upgraded to a development deal alongside Steven Marsters, brother of Kiwi centre Esan, while Tristan Sailor has been bumped into the top 30.
Development players
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Steven Marsters, Joe Lovodua, Hayden Lomax
Sydney Roosters
Lachlan Lam's new two-year extension headlines the Roosters post-November movements, with Matt Ikuvalu also on a full-time deal after being upgraded from a development contract last year. Egan Butcher and Craig Garvey also return to the top 30, while Shaquai Mitchell, brother of Latrell, drops out. Former Junior Kangaroos forward Stefano Hala has also been picked up from the Raiders with the chance to earn an NRL contract this year.
Development players
Stefano Hala, Sam Verrills, Billy Smith
Wests Tigers
Unlike Cronulla, the Tigers don't have to shed any players to field a round-one side under their salary cap punishment, the joint-venture currently operating under the cap. The NRL has decided not to register Zane Musgrove's contract until an indecent assault charge is finalised in court. He has pleaded not guilty and the club is hopeful of adding him to the squad if he is cleared. Tommy Talau, the son of former Bulldogs premiership winner Willie, has arrived from Belmore on a development deal.
Development players
Jock Madden, Tommy Talau, Alex Seyfarth, Kane Bradley
The game's next generation of gun playmakers join cross-code converts and rugby league nomads as notable additions to the first comprehensive top 30 squads published by the NRL.
Each of the sixteen clubs confirmed their 29-man squads on March 1, with all bar the Bulldogs and Souths keeping a final spot available for a mid-season signing up until June 30.
The rise of Parramatta prodigy Dylan Brown was confirmed earlier on Monday with the 18-year-old's upgrade to their top squad, while Roosters counterpart Lachlan Lam has capped a similar ascent at Bondi with a new two-year deal.
The son of former PNG and Queensland Origin half Adrian, Lam is being groomed as Cooper Cronk's successor to the same No.7 jersey his old man wore.
Lam, 20, has re-signed with the Tricolours until the end of 2020 after an approach from Wigan, where Adrian is coaching in a one-year interim role for the youngster to join on the same timeframe.
Outside back Matt Ikuvalu has also earned a new full-time contract after a train-and-trial deal last year saw the Central Coast factory worker rise to a well deserved NRL debut.
Elsewhere former Wallabies squad member and Queensland Reds flyer Izaia Perese has landed a spot in Brisbane's top squad, taking the long way back to rugby league where he played schoolboy footy alongside Kalyn Ponga and Jaydn Su'A.
As per the latest CBA agreement, the 29-man club-by-club lists are made up of contracts that have been lodged with the NRL.
Not all deals however have been officially registered by head office.
As always in rugby league, signings and player shuffling will continue across the season, with Cronulla's salary cap punishment and potential salary cap relief over the respective stand downs of Jack de Belin and Dylan Walker looming as post March 1 circuit breakers.
Sharks management hope to have their roster reshaped as soon as this week, with Ava Seumanufagai weighing up an offer from Leeds, to be cap compliant by round one.
Following feedback from clubs the rules regarding development players will be relaxed slightly in 2019, with no exemption required for them to play post June 30.
Before the mid-season cut-off date those players will still have to be upgrade or extenuating circumstances proven – such as an injury toll that cuts down all top 30 members available in that position.
Brisbane Broncos
Anthony Seibold's confirmation as coach saw the Broncos tie up a few critical loose ends late last year, extensions for Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai jnr being worked through. As well as Perese, Richie Kennar has also been upgraded from a train-and-trial contract while the Broncos boast two seriously rated young playmakers – Cory Paix and Tanah Boyd – in their full six-man development list.
Development players
Cory Paix, Ethan Bullemor, Herbie Farnworth, Ilikena Vudogo, Jake Turpin, Tanah Boyd
Canberra Raiders
Former Warriors prodigy Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and ex-New Zealand Rugby Sevens Olympian Bailey Simonsson have come into Ricky Stuart's squad as contenders for the Raiders fullback spot. Queensland under 20s back-rower Corey Horsburgh has also earned a new deal and a top 30 squad, while a call is still yet to be made by the club on ex-Knights hooker Tom Starling, who has spent the summer on a train and trial deal.
Having arrived from Newcastle over the summer, JJ Felise is now going by Collins, taking on his mother's name.
Development players
Brendan O'Hagan, Kyle Paterson, Andre Niko, Reuben Porter
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are the only team to lock in their full 30-man quota for 2019. Outside back Morgan Harper was the last man added to the blue and white roster with club officials telling NRL.com it will be another 12 months until the club sees "blue skies" from the well-publicised salary cap issues of the Des Hasler era.
Development players
Jarred Anderson, Tuipulotu Katoa, James Roumanos
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks have named their 29-man squad as per regulations but will re-shape their roster by round one, with Seumanufagai the likely departee due to the club's salary cap punishment. Should James Segeyaro's one-year deal be ratified by the NRL, minimum wage earners will almost certainly fill the last two spots in Cronulla's top 30 given they must operate with $353,000 less than their rivals over the next two years.
Development players
Brayden Trindall, Teig Wilton, Daniel Vasquez, Jackson Ferris, Toby Rudolf, Joshua Carr
Gold Coast Titans
Nineteen-year-old Treymain Spry is the latest addition to the squad, signing on until the end of 2020 after breaking a couple of club records in the gym over the summer.
His upgrade from a train-and-trial deals comes after the Roosters released the Ipswich junior due to homesickness.
Development players
Darius Farmer, Jaxson Paulo, Kupe Pere
Manly Sea Eagles
Manly have one spot remaining on their roster with Trent Hodkinson taking up a 2019 option, while Dylan Walker's suspension until at least round 9 due to domestic violence charges being before the courts leaves them a man short.
The Sea Eagles have the opportunity to apply for salary cap dispensation to replace Walker, but may yet hold fire until the ex-NSW Origin centre's future is finalised given the club's financial pressures.
Development players
Luke Metcalf, Sean Keppie, Jade Anderson
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne's 29-man squad is expected to see some change before round one, with Sam Kasiano exploring options elsewhere as the club manages a tight salary cap. Scott Drinkwater's cruel 3-4 month pec injury picked up on the weekend won't change the Storm's plans with the last few spots in their roster given back up options Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Sandor Earl are already on the books.
Development players
Cooper Johns, Harry Grant, Kayleb Milne, Kelma Tuilagi
Newcastle Knights
The Knights big summer spending has seen David Klemmer (Bulldogs), James Gavet (Warriors), Kurt Mann (Dragons), Hymel Hunt (Rabbitohs) and Zac Woolford (Bulldogs) all land in the Hunter since Newcastle announced the minimum 24-man squad in November.
NSW under age half Phoenix Crossland starts the season on a development contract and is signed with the club until the end of 2021.
Development players
Beau Fermor, Phoenix Crossland, Brayden Musgrove
New Zealand Warriors
Taane Milne returns to the NRL ranks after he was sacked by the Tigers for second breach of the game's illicit drugs policy. He has a two-year deal with the Warriors, while former Roosters prop Jackson Frei and Dragons outside back Patrick Herbert come into Stephen Kearney's full-time squad as well. Issac Luke's 2019 contract has also been upgraded with a pre-June 30 exit clause removed.
Development players
Selestino Ravutaumada, Paul Turner, Eliesa Katoa
North Queensland Cowboys
The addition of Peter Hola – all 192cm, 110 kilos of him – to the top 30 on a four-year extension leaves the Cowboys with one spot to fill by the mid-year transfer cut-off.
Former fringe Bronco Carlin Anderson remains on a development deal after an injury-plagued 2018 Intrust Super Cup campaign.
Development players
Carlin Anderson, Reuben Cotter, Thomas Gilbert, Kurt Wiltshire, Logan Bayliss, Daniel Russell
Parramatta Eels
Dylan Brown's upgrade to the Eels first grade squad comes hot on the heels of Reed Mahoney's extension last year, with Parramatta investing internally in their playmakers after relying on recruits in previous years. Corey Norman's exit over summer leaves them with a decent war chest prior to June 30.
Development players
Stefano Utoikamanu, Ethan Parry, Salesi Fainga'a
Penrith Panthers
Hame Sele arrived late last year as a cut-price replacement for ex-Kangaroo Trent Merrin (Leeds). His addition on a one-year deal with another season's option in Penrith's favour is the only change out west since November. Blore brothers Shawn – who represented the Junior Roos last year – and Dean – who played for the Junior Kiwis in the same game – headline the latest list of talented Panthers kids.
Development players
William Burns, Dean Blore, Brian Too, Shawn Blore, Spencer Leniu, Brayden McGrady
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Rabbitohs shifting of Robert Jennings to Wests Tigers eases salary cap pressure on the Foundation Club, who are likely to promote from within for their final top 30 spot. Former Manly prop Tom Amone is already impressing at Redfern since arriving in early February.
Development players
Dean Hawkins, Ky Rodwell, Joshua Cook, Taealoaloa Amone
St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons have the heady question marks around Jack de Belin hanging over their roster, with the club still in talks about what salary cap relief for the NSW forward is available. Fijian international and utility Joe Lovodua has been upgraded to a development deal alongside Steven Marsters, brother of Kiwi centre Esan, while Tristan Sailor has been bumped into the top 30.
Development players
Eddie Blacker, Jackson Ford, Steven Marsters, Joe Lovodua, Hayden Lomax
Sydney Roosters
Lachlan Lam's new two-year extension headlines the Roosters post-November movements, with Matt Ikuvalu also on a full-time deal after being upgraded from a development contract last year. Egan Butcher and Craig Garvey also return to the top 30, while Shaquai Mitchell, brother of Latrell, drops out. Former Junior Kangaroos forward Stefano Hala has also been picked up from the Raiders with the chance to earn an NRL contract this year.
Development players
Stefano Hala, Sam Verrills, Billy Smith
Wests Tigers
Unlike Cronulla, the Tigers don't have to shed any players to field a round-one side under their salary cap punishment, the joint-venture currently operating under the cap. The NRL has decided not to register Zane Musgrove's contract until an indecent assault charge is finalised in court. He has pleaded not guilty and the club is hopeful of adding him to the squad if he is cleared. Tommy Talau, the son of former Bulldogs premiership winner Willie, has arrived from Belmore on a development deal.
Development players
Jock Madden, Tommy Talau, Alex Seyfarth, Kane Bradley
