The Toyota Forklifts Raiders can confirm the re-signing of local junior Harley Smith-Shields, who has agreed to an extension of his contract until the end of the 2024 season.
Smith-Shields made his NRL debut in 2020 and has made nine appearances in the top grade so far in his career. He was awarded the clubs rookie of the year in 2021 alongside Matt Timoko.
A prodigious talent in the clubs’ lower grades, Smith-Shields missed the entire 2022 season after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season but has returned to the squad in 2023 looking to expand on his NRL appearances.
He said he’s grateful for the opportunity to re-sign and can’t wait to take the field again this year.
“First of all, I want to thank the club for their support, especially over the last twelve months and in particular Ricky. He’s been fantastic for me and reassuring me of my position in the squad,” Smith-Shields said. “It’s been a tough year for me; however, I’m looking forward to putting all that behind me and focusing on playing some footy again this season.”
Raiders recruitment manager Joel Carbone said the retention of another one of the clubs’ local juniors continued to emphasise the pathway system at the club and the opportunity it presented for players to make the transition into the NRL.
“Having a local junior like Harley re-sign with the club is super important and highlights our commitment as a club to developing players and keeping them at the club,” Carbone said. “Harley has been working extremely hard to get himself back onto the field after his injury last season and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue his development at the Raiders.”
