Josh Curran’s stint with the Warriors has come to an end, with the club handing him an immediate release to join NRL rivals the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Curran was given permission to look around by the Warriors earlier this month after the club informed him and his management that he was unlikely to be extended when his current deal expired at the conclusion of the 2024 season, as first reported by Stuff.
“We told him we were happy for him to see out his contract, but if he did find an option that provided him with longer-term security, he should please come back and talk to us,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
Finally, the Bulldogs announced Curran would join the struggling Sydney squad on a multi-year deal, following his release from the Auckland-based Warriors on Thursday with a year remaining on his contract.
“We really appreciate the contribution Josh has made in his five seasons with us.”
NRL coach of the year Andrew Webster and the Warriors have a number of talented edge forwards coming through their ranks, including Leka Halasima, who represented Tonga A last weekend after playing New South Wales Cup with the Warriors this year at the age of 17, and Jacob Laban, who played against Halasima for New Zealand A and alongside him in the Warriors reserve grade side in 2023.
Both are currently on development contracts but have the potential to compete for top 30 NRL contracts in 2025.
Curran, a Parramatta Eels junior, made his debut for the Roosters in 2019 before switching to the Warriors in the middle of the season.
He went on to play 60 NRL games for the Warriors in three and a half seasons, with strong seasons in a failing squad during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
However, Curran was never able to rediscover the same form after a serious incident on the night of the 2022 NRL Grand Final, when he was involved in a violent confrontation at a Port Macquarie nightclub that finally saw him plead guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Curran struggled for playing time under Webster in 2023, starting only six games and seeing limited action off the bench.
During what would turn out to be his final season with the Warriors, he was even dropped to the NSW Cup.
However, there were other highlights, including a crucial try in the Warriors’ stunning comeback victory over the Sharks.
That night, back in April, Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould was one of the pundits calling the action.
“He’s a good player, this kid, a real good player,” Gould commented during the game.
Curran is now a Bulldog, and Gould’s opinion hasn’t altered.
“From the moment I saw Josh Curran play, I knew he was a Bulldog.”
“Once he became available, we had no choice but to sign him up.”
“At 24 years of age, his best football is clearly in front of him,” Gould remarked. We are thrilled to have Josh join our team.”
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