Tallon Smith
The Corrimal Cougars will look to build upon their first finals campaign in 16 years last season after announcing the signing of a third NRL player for the 2026 Illawarra Cup campaign.
Former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner will join previously announced NRL recruits Ben Murdoch-Masila and Reuben Porter at the Cougars this season, in a further boost to the club’s roster.
Corrimal President Grant Plecas said that the signing of Faitala-Mariner is one of the biggest in the club’s history, with the 138-game NRL veteran still having plenty to offer at the age of 32.
“He’s still got so much to offer when it comes to football, so we’re really excited to see the big impact that he is going to be able to provide us on the field and then partner with him and Ben off the field,” he said.
“[I’m] really excited for the club moving forward, [they’re] huge signings for the club on the back of our most successful first grade year for 16 years last year.”
After attending training before Christmas to meet the squad, Plecas said that the respect he received from fellow players was remarkable.
“We’ve had a little sneak peek, he came down before Christmas, said hello, did a session with the boys,” he said.
“Of course, everyone knows who he is, what he’s about, and straight away he showed his leadership there at that training, and just the respect that everyone has within the club for these two players, but even more so Ray, [was evident].”
Most clubs would be wrapped at the signing of just one NRL player the calibre of Faitala-Mariner, but for the Cougars, the excitement is threefold after the recruitment of Dragons veteran Ben Murdoch-Masila and Cook Islands International Reuben Porter.
Plecas said that the experience provided by the trio will be of great benefit to the Cougars squad as it looks to build on its most successful season in over a decade.
“We’re really excited about that signing, Ben brings us a bit of leadership and power through that middle, [something] which we lacked last year and we’ve lacked for quite a few years at Corrimal is a big robust forward,” he said.
“His experience takes it to the next level, but off the field he’s a cultural officer for the Dragons, so his knowledge and support that he gives us with that will only help the club off the field build a really significant and strong culture that will help it get back to where we want to be, which is the community club of the Illawarra.”
Another central theme at the Cougars this off-season has been retention, as the club looks to maximise stability within the roster as the new recruits arrive.
Plecas said that the success the club experienced last season in qualifying for the playoffs has led to greater player retention, as the squad looks to build on a strong season and push for a deeper run into the finals this year.
“With the results last year, the excitement and buzz around the club and the community, it put us in a really good position to be able to hold on and retain a lot of the squad we had last year,” he said.
“They’re all excited to come and do one better, I hope they do two or three better and get a Grand Final under their belts, but they’re all keen to come back and do one better, so to add those three players to what we already had last year is really exciting for the club.
“Instead of having to rebuild every year, this year will be about consolidating and really looking at how we can build some structure and get some more results.
“We’re looking forward to getting better results this year, we’re aiming for those finals, that Grand Final is not out of reach.”
The signing of the Corrimal trio headlines a busy off-season for the Illawarra competition, with other clubs also landing big-name recruits.
Former Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Roosters and Dragons centre Corey Allan has linked with the Thirroul Butchers, joining former Tiger Brent Naden and Queensland Cup player Luke Maddaford in a star-studded backline.
The Dapto Canaries have also landed a key signing, with Group 7 Michael Cronin Medallist and Country halfback Braxton Wallace joining the club from the Shellharbour Sharks.
Meanwhile, the competition will also welcome a new club in 2026, with Sutherland-Loftus Pirates set to join the league as the new Newtown affiliate following the departure of De La Salle Caringbah.
The draw for the 2026 season is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
