It might be off-season week 2, but NRL fans have been provided with an array of signings, as well as call ups for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

There’s even a current Eel making her mark in a high rating reality television program.

Rugby league – you gotta love it!

Isaako Re-signs

After an exciting 2023 campaign celebrating their inaugural season in the NRL, the Dolphins decided this week to extend winger Jamayne Isaako until the end of 2026.

In a season where his side finished 13th on the ladder, the Dolphins flyer managed to score the most tries and points across the NRL in the regular season, and collected the Dally M Winger of the year accolade. Such a prolific season has resulted in the nomadic winger locking down a long term home at Redcliffe.

Isaako

The Dolphins will be gearing up to go even further in 2024, with additions like Thomas Flegler, Jake Averillo and Herbie Farnworth bolstering their squad significantly.

Can they find their way to finals footy? I have a feeling they won’t be too far away.

Souths Keep Keaon

After contract doubts and great uncertainty throughout the last few weeks, Keaon Koloamatangi shut down exit rumours by extending his time at South Sydney by another 2 years.

Koloamatangi

Stating that he wasn’t ready to throw away his club’s hard work and leave, Koloamatangi will remain at the Rabbitohs as both he and the club chase Premiership glory.

Given the re-signing of coach Jason Demetriou, the imminent arrival of Jack Wighton, and a healthy Latrell Mitchell, South Sydney look deadly ahead of the 2024 season.

Edwards Called Up

The decision to drop winger Josh Addo-Carr from Australia’s Pacific Championships team has facilitated the sudden call up of Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards into the Kangaroos side for game one against Toa Samoa.

Though usually starring at fullback, Edwards will cover the wing position. The Panthers custodian has only played three games as a winger during his NRL career, with one of those being his first grade debut.

Edwards

Dylan’s speed and creativity, as well as his insider knowledge on Panthers teammates and Samoa opponents Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton, will serve Australia well as they aim to secure victory against last year’s RLWC finalists.

Madge Takes The Origin Reins

Following Brad Fittler’s resignation, former Tigers and premiership-winning Rabbitohs coach, Michael “Madge” Maguire has emerged as the Blues preferred choice in their search for a new coach.

Maguire’s representative experience in guiding the New Zealand Kiwis undoubtedly stood him in good stead as club coaching and rep team coaching can be two vastly different beasts.

Rugby league fans would remember Madge’s passion and determination as he tried to steer the Tigers during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Cameras captured him riding the highs and the lows of the struggling Tigers in what was terrific rugby league theatre.

Maguire

This Blues appointment will provide Maguire with a re-boot to his head coaching career, and he’ll be aiming to kick off his new role with NSW series win in 2024. If he can mimic the immediate success of rival coach Billy Slater it will be quite an achievement.

After fending off the claims of rumoured high-profile candidates like Ricky Stuart and Gus Gould, Maguire has already demonstrated that he is held in high regard. If his tenure with the New Zealand Kiwis is an indicator of anything to NSW fans, it is that he knows how to pick a strong and skilful team.

And we can certainly look forward to an injection of that famous passion and fire that the Blues have been seemingly missed over recent State of Origin series.

Mahalia Murphy Stars on SAS Australia

Have you been enjoying the appearance of Eels NRLW edge forward Mahalia Murphy on the latest series of SAS Australia?

Filmed in the Middle East earlier this year, the 2023 contestants face physical and psychological demands that the majority of people would choose to avoid. Along the way, viewers are provided with raw insights into the background of the participating celebrities and learn a bit more about their strengths and weaknesses.

Murphy is not the only rugby league identity to star in the latest series. She is joined by retired Roosters champion Boyd Cordner, and the controversial Anthony “The Man” Mundine. Unfortunately the injury plagued Cordner suffered a torn pec early in the contest and was forced to withdraw.

Murphy and Cordner on SAS

In retrospect, and from an Eels supporter perspective, it would have been terrific to watch Mahalia face the challenges of this program before the recent NRLW season. The promotional aspects of seeing a new club recruit going through her paces would have been unparalleled.

As it turned out, Murphy was a player who could hold her head high in 2023. She provided Parra with strike power on the edge and marked herself as a valuable member of the team.

Nat

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