Warriors try-scoring freak Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has inked a new one-year deal with the New Zealand outfit on his first day as a free agent, tying himself to the club until the end of 2025.
A host of NRL stars, including Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai, Roosters gun Joseph Manu and Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds, are allowed to negotiate with other clubs after becoming free agents on Wednesday.
But the Warriors have fended off rivals to lock down Watene-Zelezniak following his record-breaking season, in which he chalked up 24 tries to shatter the club's 20-year-old record of 23.
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Watene-Zelezniak and Dolphins star Jamayne Isaako grabbed the wing spots in this year's Dally M Team of the Year.
Warriors coach Andrew Webster said Watene-Zelezniak "stood out as one of the best wingers in the competition, if not the best" in 2023.
"His yardage carries were unbelievable while the tries, and the way he scored so many of them, were the icing on the cake," Webster said of the 28-year-old.
"Not only that, his defence came a long way with how reliable he is, understanding where he's got to be for the team to make the right decision."
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The Hamilton-born speedster played 106 games with the Panthers between 2014 and 2019 and made 37 appearances for the Bulldogs between 2019 and 2021.
He's run out for the Warriors on 47 occasions since joining the club midway through the 2021 season.
He was a star of the resurgent Warriors outfit that surprised the NRL this year, finishing fourth on the ladder and featuring in its first preliminary final since 2011.
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