Every team needs forward leaders with experience in their squad and the Parramatta Eels have re-signed veteran David Gower for the 2018 season.

At the Eels since the 2014 season, 2017 was an interrupted season for Gower with both injuries and stints at the Eels feeder team, the Wentworthville Magpies.

With a new season in tow and potential opportunities awaiting, the re-signing is one that pleases club CEO, Bernie Gurr.

“David is an extremely valuable member of our playing roster,” said Gurr.

David’s experience and knowledge continue to be a real asset for our Club.”

“We are pleased David has decided to remain an Eel in 2018.”

With his departure from the Newcastle Knights confirmed, the Gold Coast Titans have acted swiftly to sign Brendan Elliot, a versatile utility back.

Still only 23, Elliot spent the last 18 months with the Knights where he played 23 and 17 before that with the Sydney Roosters.

Originally from the Gold Coast, Elliot moved away to seek new opportunities but with his family and partner all from and/or living in the area, it was the right time for him to move back.

“I can’t wait,” Elliot said.

“All my family and friends are there and as my partner is from the Gold Coast as well, we can’t wait to get back there.”

With some potential spots up for grabs in the Titans back-line, Elliot is hopeful of cementing a spot in their side for the 2018 season.

“That’s definitely part of the reason (to come to the Titans),: continued Elliot. It’s a really good opportunity and I’ll be looking to get some more minutes in the NRL.

“It’s a really good opportunity and I’ll be looking to get some more minutes in the NRL.

“It’s good to have that versatility (across positions) but I would love to be able to lock down one spot. I don’t really have a preference, I’d just like to string a number of games together in the one position if I can.”

The club is pleased to see one of their own return.

“Brendan has been away from home for a number of years and from my discussions with his manager, he’s really excited about what he could achieve here at the Titans,” said Titans Chief Operating Officer, Tony Mestrov.

“He’ll add some much-needed depth to our backline and the fact that he is more than capable across three positions gives us some options as well.”

Elliot will join the Titans in pre-season in November.

Forced to bide his time with the Parramatta Eels, Cameron King’s opportunity arose when Kaysa Pritchard suffered an injury and he took the most of the opportunity. 

Finishing the 2017 season as a solid performer for the Eels, the club has rewarded him with a new contract until the end of the 2018 season.

Initially joining the club in 2016, King previously had stints with both the St George Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys.

As the club look to develop further after their first finals series since 2009, King drew praise from club CEO Bernie Gurr after his perseverance to come back from injuries and perform well.

“Cameron has had a tough run with injuries throughout his career but is a great talent and played an important role in our teams first Finals series since 2009.

“We are very pleased to have secured Cameron’s signature for 2018 and look forward to his continued improvement next season.”

After success with the Cronulla Sharks that included a premiership in 2016, Chris Heighington has moved on from the shire to sign a 1-year deal with the Newcastle Knights. 

Boasting a host of young forwards still developing and fine-tuning their games, the 300 plus gamer in Heighington is the perfect foil for the young kids to learn and develop under given his experience.

An England international since 2011, Heighington has been selected in the English squad for this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

Having grown up on the Central Coast, the veteran said it made sense to join the Knights.

“I grew up on the Central Coast and always liked the Knights and I remember watching the 1997 and 2001 grand finals, so it just made sense,” said Heighington.

“There are some great young kids coming through the system and hopefully I can help out just as much off the field to see them grow as players.”

His experience and leadership will be invaluable to the Knights and they know how crucial he will be in their development of their younger players.

“Chris’ professionalism and his knowledge of the game will be a great asset to the Knights,” said the Knights General Manager of Football, Darren Mooney.

“He will be able to provide strong leadership to our young players and will be able to assist in their development both on and off the field.”

With just 6 NRL games to his name, Jack Gosiewski will want to build on that and he will have the chance to do so with Manly after joining the club for the 2018 season.

Previously a captain of the Souths 2016 NYC team, Gosiewski made his debut in 2016 and was mildly impressive.

With a change of clubs and a chance for more opportunity, Gosiewski will want to make the most of the chances with the club pleased to have signed a talented back-rower for depth.

“We are pleased to have secured Jack as part of our full-time squad for the 2018 season,’’ said Sea Eagles Chief Operating Officer, Neil Bare.

“We wish him every success in the development of his NRL playing career with the Sea Eagles.”

Scott Fulton, one of Manly’s regional scouts, praised the signing of Gosiewski and expects him to challenge for first-grade.

“Jack is an edge back-rower who weighs almost 100 kilos. He will provide extra depth for us in that position and has come to Manly looking for an opportunity,’’ Fulton said.

“I would be expecting him to play a fair bit of first grade next year given an opportunity in the pre-season.”

A favourite son of many for years during his time there, the Melbourne Storm have re-signed veteran Ryan Hoffman for the 2018 season.

In what will be Hoffman’s swansong, the back-rower has been a revered figure by many and he has the opportunity to become just the fifth player to play in 250 games for the Storm.

A staple of their previous premiership winning sides, Hoffman was awarded life membership at the club in 2013 and the club is ecstatic to have him for his experience and leadership once again.

“The Melbourne Storm are very excited about the continued development of Joe Stimson, who we expect will make a strong claim for Tohu Harris’ spot in the second row,” Storm Football Director Frank Ponissi said.

“Ryan Hoffman is going to add some much-needed experience and leadership to the squad.”

With Patrick Kaufusi also signing until the end of 2019 to join brother Felise at the club, Ponissi believes the two will greatly benefit the Storm’s forwards rotation.

“Having lost three forwards from our Grand Final team in Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris and Slade Griffin, we believe Hoffman and Kaufusi are valuable inclusions that will help offset the departure of that trio,” continued Ponissi.

“Along with a host of current Storm players, both Patrick and Ryan will be pressing hard for a position in our starting 17.”

Rarely do you see a player return to the same club three times but Sam Williams has once again joined the Canberra Raiders in what will be his third stint with the club.

The deal will run for 2 seasons with Williams previously a part of the Raiders setup in 2011, 2013 and 2015/16.

Williams is ready to work hard and try to make the most of the opportunity presented to him at the Raiders once again.

“This has always been home for me, it’s great to be back with a lot of mates that I have made and we have great coaching staff as well,” Williams said. “There

“There hasn’t been a lot of changes since I left last time, it will be easy for me to slide back into the club, I know the culture and how the place works, it was exciting to get the call back to come here.”

“I’m just lucky to be back here and it’s going to be a great challenge, I can’t wait.”

A talented player in his own right, the club are pleased to have an experienced half like Williams returning to the fore as back-up.

“Sam has proven in the past he is an NRL standard halfback and we are looking forward to him rejoining the squad for the next two seasons,”  said Raiders NRL Recruitment and High-Performance Manager, Peter Mulholland.

“We know what a hard worker Sam is and we’re expecting him to rejoin the squad and provide us with competition in the halves which is a good thing for any club to have.”