High-flying Dallin Watene-Zelezniak re-signs with Warriors

Warriors fans can expect more soaring-finishes and a glorious mullet for at least the next two years with wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak extending his contract at the Kiwi NRL club.

The Warriors announced this afternoon Watene-Zelezniak will remain at the club until at least the end of 2025 after signing a new one-year contract to extend his stay.

Watene-Zelezniak originally joined the Warriors midway through the 2021 season from the Bulldogs but after a quiet 2022, he discovered career-best form this year and scored 24 times, beating the club’s 20-year-old record of 23.

Along the way, Watene-Zelezniak's acrobatic finishes and equally-striking hairdo garnered plenty of attention as he was named a Dally M Winger of the Year.

“Dallin has made a tremendous impact on and off the field since joining us in the challenging times when we were based in Australia,” said Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.

“Like a number of players, he really flourished once we returned home for the 2023 season.”

As well as making the Dally M Team of the Year, Watene-Zelezniak was voted by his peers as one of the wingers in the RLPA’s Dream Team of the Year. He was also a finalist for the One New Zealand Warriors’ top award, the Simon Mannering Medal.

“What Dallin showed to everyone is how much it meant for him and his family being back in New Zealand,” said head coach Andrew Webster.

“He stood out as one of the best wingers in the competition, if not the best.

“His yardage carries were unbelievable while the tries, and the way he scored so many of them, were the icing on the cake.

“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.”

Thanks to his impressive season, Watene-Zelezniak has now scored 37 tries in 47 appearances for the Warriors.

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Should he score 14 times in 2024, he will join the NRL's 100 try club, having previously scored 49 times for the Panthers and Bulldogs.

He could also earn his 200th NRL appearance if he plays 10 games.