Warriors flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak chased by 'cashed-up' Super League club

The NRL is in danger of losing one of its biggest personality players in 2025 - The Flying Mullet. Speedy Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is the number one target of cashed-up Catalans Dragons in France. The Kiwi cult hero is a favourite with the fans in Auckland because of his fearless charges with the ball, his spectacular diving for tries - and THAT distinctive hairstyle. The 28-year-old - who began his NRL career 10 years ago with the Panthers - still has a year to run on his contract with the Warriors. But the Auckland team may well let him go if he can pick up the lucrative three-year deal Catalans are prepared to offer. "We were looking at Watene-Zelezniak and Daniel Tupou," a Catalans source told Wide World of Sports. "Now Tupou has re-signed with the Roosters, we will be going all out for Watene-Zelezniak."

Rivals shunned as record-breaking Warriors flyer re-signs

Warriors try-scoring freak Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has inked a new one-year deal with the New Zealand outfit on his first day as a free agent, tying himself to the club until the end of 2025.A host of NRL stars, including Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai, Roosters gun Joseph Manu and Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds, are allowed to negotiate with other clubs after becoming free agents on Wednesday.But the Warriors have fended off rivals to lock down Watene-Zelezniak following his record-breaking season, in which he chalked up 24 tries to shatter the club's 20-year-old record of 23.Watene-Zelezniak and Dolphins star Jamayne Isaako grabbed the wing spots in this year's Dally M Team of the Year.Warriors coach Andrew Webster said Watene-Zelezniak "stood out as one of the best wingers in the competition, if not the best" in 2023."His yardage carries were unbelievable while the tries, and the way he scored so many of them, were the icing on the cake," Webster said of the 28-year-old."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."The Hamilton-born speedster played 106 games with the Panthers between 2014 and 2019 and made 37 appearances for the Bulldogs between 2019 and 2021.He's run out for the Warriors on 47 occasions since joining the club midway through the 2021 season.He was a star of the resurgent Warriors outfit that surprised the NRL this year, finishing fourth on the ladder and featuring in its first preliminary final since 2011.

'The flying mullet' closing in on club record

Is Dallin Watene-Zelezniak now the best finisher in the game?DWZ scored three tries in the Warriors' win over Manly on Friday night, all with his trademark one-handed dive into the corner.DWZ also showed his toughness, overcoming a painful first half knee injury to play out the 80 minutes, putting his body on the line despite being far from 100 per cent fit.The flying mullett is now up to 21 tries, just two short of the Warriors' club record of 23 held by David Fusitua.And with 19 tries in his past 12 games, Fusitua's record is in grave danger of falling very soon.

Warrior Praised For Big Play

Big matches call for big plays and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak came up with one of the moves of the season in the cliff-hanger against the Raiders.Shortly before half-time, Raiders fullback Seb Kris was over the line and set to score before DWZ somehow knocked the ball out of his hands.To add to Canberra's woes, the Warriors worked play downfield and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad scored seconds before the hooter in a moment that well and truly changed the game.DWZ scored his 14th try in his past nine games in the second half and is playing the best footy of his career for the Warriors.

DWZ breaks worrying winless streak

There was no happier player in the Warriors' team after the stunning upset over the Tigers than utility back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. A mid-season transfer from the Bulldogs, the luckless DWZ hadn't won a game all season before the brave Warriors fightback. Watene-Zelezniak's season read 13 games, 13 losses until the Warriors clawed back from 10-0 down to score a famous win. And DWZ played a major role in the win, running for 173 metres, more than any Warriors player on the night.