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Jasper Bruce

NRL's Souths retain Arrow, Croker staying at Manly

Jai Arrow has signed a new three-year contact extension to remain with the Rabbitohs. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)

Jai Arrow will remain with South Sydney through 2027 after the club announced the forward's re-signing only one day before the player market opens.

It comes as Manly extend the contract of hooker Lachlan Croker until the end of 2026 and Jordan McLean signs a one-year extension with North Queensland.

From November 1, clubs can begin formal negotiations with players who are out of contract at the end of 2024.

But Queensland State of Origin representative Arrow will not feature in any rival club's plans after signing a three-year extension.

Capable of playing on an edge or through the middle, Arrow endured an injury-plagued 2023 season but played himself into the Maroons side for Origin I.

Jai Arrow.
Jai Arrow's form for Souths earned him another Maroons State of Origin call-up.

He has made 63 of his 143 first-grade appearances for Souths and averaged 113 run metres across 14 games this season.

"I'm very proud and grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to stay until the end of the 2027 season," Arrow said.

The Rabbitohs are now set to turn their attention to Arrow's teammate in the forward pack Tom Burgess, whose contract runs out at the end of 2024.

With 226 appearances, Burgess has played the third-most games of any Rabbitoh and was vital through the middle of the park this season.

By securing Croker, their best-and-fairest player in 2022, Manly have retained their biggest name who had been set to hit the open market.

Croker, who has played 104 of his 105 first-grade games for the Sea Eagles, has signed a two-year deal.

Originally a half in Canberra's junior system, Croker arrived at Manly in 2018 and has been a regular first-grader since 2020.

Lachlan Croker.
Manly hooker Lachlan Croker has scored 18 tries in 105 NRL games, including six in 2023.

He became starting hooker after Danny Levi left the club before the 2021 season and has become noted for his work rate in defence.

"Lachlan has been one of our most consistent players over the last two seasons. It's great for us to be able to extend him out for a further two years,'' coach Anthony Seibold said.

North Queensland have re-signed veteran prop Jordan McLean on a one-year contract that could see him through to retirement.

The former Melbourne middle man will be 33 shortly after next season ends, but has proven he is still up to the rigours of first grade, starting 22 games this year.

He averaged 111 run metres in 2023 and bolsters a middle rotation that also includes Jason Taumalolo, Reuben Cotter and Griffin Neame.

Elsewhere, Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Penrith winger Tom Jenkins on a two-year contract from 2024.

Stuck behind Brian To'o, Sunia Turuva and Taylan May, the Panthers had already confirmed Jenkins would not be at the club next year.

He looms as a replacement option for Dominic Young, who has joined the Sydney Roosters.

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