2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Storm Sign Moale; Lemuelu Extends at Dolphins

2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Storm Sign Moale; Lemuelu Extends at Dolphins

2025 NRL Signings Tracker: Storm Sign Moale; Lemuelu Extends at Dolphins

As the 2025 NRL season wraps up and clubs shift focus towards building their rosters for 2026 and beyond, the player movement landscape continues to evolve with a mix of short-term signings, long-term extensions and strategic roster reshapes. Two of the most talked-about stories involve the Melbourne Storm’s recruitment of prop forward Davvy Moale and the Dolphins locking in one of their foundation edge forwards, Connelly Lemuelu, with a contract extension through 2027. These moves reflect broader trends in how clubs balance continuity, youth development, depth and experience in an increasingly competitive league.

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Storm’s Strategic Acquisition: Davvy Moale for 2026

The Melbourne Storm have completed a noteworthy recruitment coup by signing Davvy Moale on a one-year contract for the 2026 season. What makes this move particularly interesting is both the short-term nature of the deal and the three-club journey that Moale has negotiated over three seasons.

Moale, a Cook Islands international prop, debuted in the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs back in 2021 and has since played around 70 first-grade games, showcasing his size, power and work ethic in the middle of the park.

A Stop-Gap Signing With Purpose

Rather than being a long-term anchor of Melbourne’s forward pack, Moale’s deal is structured as a short-term solution. He will arrive at the Storm for the 2026 campaign before moving on to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles under a previously agreed three-year contract starting in 2027.

This type of arrangement, while unusual, mirrors other multi-phase transfers seen in recent seasons (such as Jonah Pezet’s movement through Parramatta ahead of a long-term deal elsewhere). It gives the Storm immediate depth and experience in a forward pack that has undergone significant change.

Why the Storm Are Interested

Melbourne’s interest in Moale stems from a necessity to bolster their forward rotation amid departures and injuries. The club has been impacted by the exit of marquee front-rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona and continued absence of Eli Katoa as he recovers from serious injury. Bringing in Moale — a robust and hard-running prop — adds valuable depth to compliment homegrown talent and young forwards emerging from the Storm’s development pathways.

Storm director of football Frank Ponissi highlighted Moale’s first-grade experience and physical presence as key reasons behind the signing, noting that his addition should complement the squad’s blend of youth and proven performers.

Moale’s Career Context

Before joining Melbourne, Moale spent five seasons with the Rabbitohs and also represented the Cook Islands internationally. Reports suggest he never quite reached superstar status at Souths, yet he remains a workhorse capable of making consistent contributions.

His coming season at Melbourne provides both a fresh challenge and a bridge into his long-term future at Manly, where he is expected to plug into a squad looking to climb back into premiership contention.

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Dolphins Cement Core Forward: Lemuelu Extends Through 2027

While the Storm opt for a short-term acquisition, the Dolphins have taken a different approach by securing one of their homegrown leaders long term. Edge forward Connelly Lemuelu has signed a contract extension with the Dolphins that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 NRL season.

From Foundation Player to Key Component

Lemuelu was part of the Dolphins’ inaugural 2023 NRL team after moving from the North Queensland Cowboys. Since then, he’s developed into a key player, known for his strong line-running, try-scoring ability and impact off the bench or in the starting second row.

Across three seasons in Dolphins colors, Lemuelu has made over 60 NRL appearances, including a career-best nine tries in 2025. His performances have cemented his spot as a reliable and dangerous edge forward — someone the Dolphins are keen to build around as they aim to climb higher in the premiership standings.

Stability in the Ranks

Chief executive Terry Reader emphasised that Lemuelu’s continued progression and consistency made his contract extension a priority for the club. With a forward pack that is expected to grow even stronger — thanks to returning stars from injury and new additions — retaining dependable performers like Lemuelu gives the Dolphins a core to rally around.

The extension also sends a positive message to fans and fellow players about the club’s long-term identity, growth strategy and commitment to nurturing talent within their ranks.

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Broader Movement Across the League

While the Moale and Lemuelu headlines dominate the latest tracker, the wider player market continues to shift significantly.

Storm have not only signed Moale but also re-signed young forward Ativalu Lisati on a two-year deal, illustrating a mix of youth retention and experienced supplementation.

The Storm have also announced the signing of Oryn Keeley on a two-year deal starting in 2027, further future-proofing their forward stocks.

Elsewhere in the NRL landscape, clubs have been active with other notable signings and releases — such as Broncos half Coby Black moving to the Raiders on a three-year deal — shaping how squads will look in 2026 and beyond.

Across the league, teams are navigating the delicate balance of retaining emerging stars, bringing in experienced depth, and making strategic signings that align with salary cap realities and long-term planning goals.

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Looking Ahead to 2026

As clubs finalise their rosters for the 2026 season, fans and pundits alike will be watching how these moves translate on the field. The Storm’s short-term acquisition strategy — typified by Moale’s one-year deal — will be tested as they seek to remain competitive without some of their longstanding stars. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ commitment to players like Lemuelu underscores their desire for continuity and gradual ascendency in the competition.

With the signings tracker still evolving and more announcements likely in coming weeks, one thing remains clear: the NRL’s off-season is as much about shaping culture and future potential as it is about immediate impact.

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If you want a club-by-club summary of all 2025/26 signings and departures, I can provide that too! (Just let me know.)

As the 2025 NRL season wraps up and clubs shift focus towards building their rosters for 2026 and beyond, the player movement landscape continues to evolve with a mix of short-term signings, long-term extensions and strategic roster reshapes. Two of the most talked-about stories involve the Melbourne Storm’s recruitment of prop forward Davvy Moale and the Dolphins locking in one of their foundation edge forwards, Connelly Lemuelu, with a contract extension through 2027. These moves reflect broader trends in how clubs balance continuity, youth development, depth and experience in an increasingly competitive league.

 

 

—

 

Storm’s Strategic Acquisition: Davvy Moale for 2026

 

The Melbourne Storm have completed a noteworthy recruitment coup by signing Davvy Moale on a one-year contract for the 2026 season. What makes this move particularly interesting is both the short-term nature of the deal and the three-club journey that Moale has negotiated over three seasons.

 

Moale, a Cook Islands international prop, debuted in the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs back in 2021 and has since played around 70 first-grade games, showcasing his size, power and work ethic in the middle of the park.

 

A Stop-Gap Signing With Purpose

 

Rather than being a long-term anchor of Melbourne’s forward pack, Moale’s deal is structured as a short-term solution. He will arrive at the Storm for the 2026 campaign before moving on to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles under a previously agreed three-year contract starting in 2027.

 

This type of arrangement, while unusual, mirrors other multi-phase transfers seen in recent seasons (such as Jonah Pezet’s movement through Parramatta ahead of a long-term deal elsewhere). It gives the Storm immediate depth and experience in a forward pack that has undergone significant change.

 

Why the Storm Are Interested

 

Melbourne’s interest in Moale stems from a necessity to bolster their forward rotation amid departures and injuries. The club has been impacted by the exit of marquee front-rower Nelson Asofa-Solomona and continued absence of Eli Katoa as he recovers from serious injury. Bringing in Moale — a robust and hard-running prop — adds valuable depth to compliment homegrown talent and young forwards emerging from the Storm’s development pathways.

 

Storm director of football Frank Ponissi highlighted Moale’s first-grade experience and physical presence as key reasons behind the signing, noting that his addition should complement the squad’s blend of youth and proven performers.

 

Moale’s Career Context

 

Before joining Melbourne, Moale spent five seasons with the Rabbitohs and also represented the Cook Islands internationally. Reports suggest he never quite reached superstar status at Souths, yet he remains a workhorse capable of making consistent contributions.

 

His coming season at Melbourne provides both a fresh challenge and a bridge into his long-term future at Manly, where he is expected to plug into a squad looking to climb back into premiership contention.

 

 

—

 

Dolphins Cement Core Forward: Lemuelu Extends Through 2027

 

While the Storm opt for a short-term acquisition, the Dolphins have taken a different approach by securing one of their homegrown leaders long term. Edge forward Connelly Lemuelu has signed a contract extension with the Dolphins that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027 NRL season.

 

From Foundation Player to Key Component

 

Lemuelu was part of the Dolphins’ inaugural 2023 NRL team after moving from the North Queensland Cowboys. Since then, he’s developed into a key player, known for his strong line-running, try-scoring ability and impact off the bench or in the starting second row.

 

Across three seasons in Dolphins colors, Lemuelu has made over 60 NRL appearances, including a career-best nine tries in 2025. His performances have cemented his spot as a reliable and dangerous edge forward — someone the Dolphins are keen to build around as they aim to climb higher in the premiership standings.

 

Stability in the Ranks

 

Chief executive Terry Reader emphasised that Lemuelu’s continued progression and consistency made his contract extension a priority for the club. With a forward pack that is expected to grow even stronger — thanks to returning stars from injury and new additions — retaining dependable performers like Lemuelu gives the Dolphins a core to rally around.

 

The extension also sends a positive message to fans and fellow players about the club’s long-term identity, growth strategy and commitment to nurturing talent within their ranks.

 

 

—

 

Broader Movement Across the League

 

While the Moale and Lemuelu headlines dominate the latest tracker, the wider player market continues to shift significantly.

 

Storm have not only signed Moale but also re-signed young forward Ativalu Lisati on a two-year deal, illustrating a mix of youth retention and experienced supplementation.

 

The Storm have also announced the signing of Oryn Keeley on a two-year deal starting in 2027, further future-proofing their forward stocks.

 

Elsewhere in the NRL landscape, clubs have been active with other notable signings and releases — such as Broncos half Coby Black moving to the Raiders on a three-year deal — shaping how squads will look in 2026 and beyond.

 

 

Across the league, teams are navigating the delicate balance of retaining emerging stars, bringing in experienced depth, and making strategic signings that align with salary cap realities and long-term planning goals.

 

 

—

 

Looking Ahead to 2026

 

As clubs finalise their rosters for the 2026 season, fans and pundits alike will be watching how these moves translate on the field. The Storm’s short-term acquisition strategy — typified by Moale’s one-year deal — will be tested as they seek to remain competitive without some of their longstanding stars. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ commitment to players like Lemuelu underscores their desire for continuity and gradual ascendency in the competition.

 

With the signings tracker still evolving and more announcements likely in coming weeks, one thing remains clear: the NRL’s off-season is as much about shaping culture and future potential as it is about immediate impact.

 

 

—

 

If you want a club-by-club summary of all 2025/26 signings and departures, I can provide that too! (Just let me know.)