Home is where the heart is for Brian Kelly who will make a return to the Gold Coast Titans after the Manly Sea Eagles granted him a release. 

Released from the final year of his Manly contract, Kelly has taken up a three year offer from the Titans.

Playing 47 games for the Silvertails, the club thanked the centre for his service to the club.

“We thank Brian for his tremendous service to our Club both on and off the field over the past two years and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavours,” said Sea Eagles CEO Lyall Gorman.

Born in Lismore and playing his footy in Ballina, Kelly returns to an area that he knows well and the Titans are pleased.

“Brian is another local coming home and it is great to see a player of his calibre return to the club where he made a name for himself,” Titans coach Garth Brennan said.

“He showed plenty of promise coming through the ranks here at the Titans and continued his rise down in Sydney, becoming an NRL regular.

“I’ve spoken about the desire of bringing in an outside back and Brian definitely fits the criteria of what this club was looking for.”

Two of the most talented prospects at the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Campbell Graham and Cameron Murray have both re-signed with the club.

The duo are a product of the club’s junior system and have new deals until the end of the 2021 season.

Establishing himself as a mainstay of the Souths pack, Murray has impressed many with his tenacity and work ethic.

“Both Cameron and Campbell have shown they have what it takes to become regular NRL players and also to perform at the highest representative levels of the game in time,” Rabbitohs General Manager of Football Shane Richardson said.

“Cameron is a workhorse and has made an impact on our team from the moment he was selected in first grade.

“His work ethic is second-to-none; he has the respect of his team mates, coaches and staff; and is a young leader among our squad.”

As for Graham, who is still eligible for U20’s, it his versatility and smooth transition to first-grade that pleases the club most.

“Campbell is still eligible for the under 20s but his efforts in the NRL have seen him earn a spot in our back line over the past 18 months,” Richardson continued.

“He can play centre and has played wing already at NRL level and we’re all excited to see what he can achieve with more full time training and more NRL experience under his belt.

The cardinal and myrtle colours run deep for Murray – his father also donned the Souths jersey – and he could not be prouder to sign a new deal.

“I’m really happy to know I’ll be here for at least the next three years, playing for the club I grew up supporting, the club my father played for and the club I was born into,” Murray said.

“This club has a very bright future and I’m really excited to be playing under the administration we have here at Souths.”

Murray is also pleased to play in front of such a vocal set of fans and is just honoured to don the Souths jersey.

“I love playing for such a large fan base and it’s great to be part of a club where our Members play such a big part in driving our success,” the young forward continued.

“It’s a special place and I fell privileged to be part of it.”

All those sentiments and more were echoed by Graham.

“I definitely see my future here at this club,” Graham said.

“I’m really happy with my progression over the past few seasons and I’m really grateful for the opportunities the Club has provided for me to start my career.

“There are definitely exciting times ahead and I can’t wait to play my part in that for my team and the Members.”

Not standing in the way of a more suitable offer, the New Zealand Warriors have released James Gavet who will join the Newcastle Knights. 

With 1-year remaining left at the Warriors, the Kiwi club made a decision to allow Gavet to sign with the Knights on two-year deal.

The Warriors were quick to praise Gavet with club CEO Cameron George praising the hulking prop for his service to the club.

“James has been a good servant of this club and always gave it his all on the footy field,” George said.

“But he’s been given a great opportunity and we wish him all the best for the future.”

With the Knights eager to sign more big bodies, the addition of James Gavet comes at an important time for a club on the rise.

“James adds a lot to our squad,” Newcastle Knights Player List Manager Troy Pezet said.

“He’s a big body who plays with a lot of aggression and energy.

“Last season was a breakout year for James. We feel we’re getting him at the right time.

“He’s starting to play some his best football and still has room for growth.”

Eager to get started, Gavet is looking forward to being part of a fresh, revamped Knights side on the rise.

“This is a Club going places,” Gavet said.

“It’s a fresh start for me and I’m really excited about what the future holds.”

Often a much maligned player by Penrith Panthers fans, Waqa Blake is slowly impressing many and has been rewarded with a new deal. 

For Blake himself, he just could not see himself playing anywhere else.

“I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to commit my future to the club,” Blake said.

“Panthers is home for me now and I really couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else.”

Fijian born, Blake had to work his way into the Penrith side and overcome the doubts of fans.

That work saw him draw praise from the club for his perseverance and tenacity.

“Waqa Blake is an outstanding young man and a tremendous success story for our club,” Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould AM said.

“He graduated from the Panthers development system to establish himself as an important member of our NRL team.”

Gould continued to praise Blake, going on to state him as a future representative player.

“Waqa is fast developing into one of the most dangerous attacking players in the NRL,” continued Gould.

“We firmly believe he is a representative player of the future and we are excited to know he will be with us for at least the next five seasons.”

In what was arguably a career best year for Joseph Tapine, his form has been rewarded by the Canberra Raiders in a new long-term deal.

Already contracted to the Raiders for 2019, Tapine’s new deal is one that cements yet another key player to their long-term roster.

Canberra has quickly become a home away from home for Tapine who has settled in well.

“Moving to the Raiders has been the best decision for my footy and I know by extending my time here in Canberra I can continue to become a better player,” Tapine said.

“I’m confident in the group of players and coaches we have that we can keep improving and be a better and more consistent team.”

“My partner and I have also made a home in Canberra and we love living here.”

For the Raiders, it was an easy decision to retain Tapine.

Although Joe was already on contract until the end of the 2019 season, we identified him as a priority re-signing and we’re delighted to be able to extend his contract with the club,” Raiders Recruitment and High-Performance Director Peter Mulholland said.

“Joe has the ability and skill set to be one of the games best young forwards and we see him as a huge part of our future.”

“We’re excited to watch him progress as a player and leader within our side over the next few seasons.”

Regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all-time, Wayne Bennett will make the jump to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The deal, which may surprise many, will start in the 2020 season as well as the 2021 season.

With seven premiership wins at two different clubs, Bennett’s record speaks for itself.

His signing as coach is one that the club’s General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, has applauded.

“Wayne is one of the best, if the not the best, Rugby League coaches of all time and we are excited to see what he can bring to our Club,” Mr Richardson said.

“His football record is second-to-none and his reputation as a leader is also of the highest order.”

Richardson is excited to see Bennett work alongside the talent available at the club.

“Here, he will have the opportunity to work with some of the best senior and up-and-coming talent in the game, which from our discussions over the past few weeks I know he is excited about,” continued Richardson.

“He will also have the opportunity to work as a Head Coach with a strong coaching, football and administration staff around him that are all pushing in the one direction, The Rabbitoh Way.”

In the end, Richardson did not hold back when it came to why Souths opted to not renew the contract of current coach Anthony Seibold.

“Anthony (Seibold) has done a great job at our Club over the past two years however his hesitance to extend his contract with us,” he continued.

“An offer which has been on the table since June, led the Club to explore other options.”