Tallon Smith

The South West Goannas have made yet another impressive coup after securing the services of former NRL and English Championship star Joey Leilua for the 2025 season.

The third big name player signed by the Macarthur League club for the upcoming campaign, Leilua joins former Roosters teammate Brad Takairangi and New Zealand international Greg Eastwood who have both re-committed to the club for a second season this year.

A 12-year NRL veteran, Leilua played 225 games in a career spanning from 2010 until 2021, with stints at the Roosters, Knights, Raiders and Tigers in that time, before he finished his professional days at Featherstone Rovers in England.

In addition, he also represented Samoa 15 times and earned one cap for NSW City in 2012.

The 33-year-old played last year with the Dapto Canaries in the Illawarra League, where he showed some moments of his trademark flair and brilliance despite the club narrowly missing the finals in a tough competition.

Goannas President Mark Baird described the signing as a watershed moment for the club, who fought to remain in the local First Grade competition last year.

“This signing proves with our coach Luke Deller and the recruitment process that he has engaged, we can attract a high calibre of players to our club and the competition,” he said.

“Joey adds to the experienced stars already on our roster in Greg Eastwood and Brad Takairangi, who have been great for the club, and have attracted many talented young players wishing to play with them.

“To have someone like Joey on board now is amazing.”

Prior to signing with the Goannas, Leilua had been reportedly been linked with the with Wyong Roos in the Newcastle Rugby League for the 2025 season, however a change of heart saw him instead decide to ply his trade closer to Sydney.

With Leilua, Takairangi and Eastwood headlining the club’s roster for the upcoming season, the Goannas boast one of the better looking squads heading into what shapes as another highly competitive season in the former Group 6 competition.

The three stars will train together for the first time at the club next week ahead of the rapidly approaching campaign set to begin in late March or early April.

Photo: AAP