NRL: Warriors sign former Titans utility Karl Lawton

Former Titans utility Karl Lawton has joined the Warriors on a two-year deal. Photo / Getty Images.

The Warriors have announced the signing of former Gold Coast utility Karl Lawton while hooker Sam Cook and promising fullback Hayze Perham have had their contracts upgraded ahead of the start of the NRL season next week.

Lawton has joined the club on a two-year-deal with the versatile 22-year-old capable of slotting into the outside backs, hooker and lock, while Cook and Perham find themselves rewarded for their efforts throughout the pre-season and in the two trial match victories over Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Lawton has 12 games of NRL experience after making his debut against the Warriors in 2016, an occassion that ended in disappointment when he broke his leg.

He recovered and made 11 appearances for the TItans last season when he alternated beween starting at hooker and coming off the interchange bench.

"We're thrilled to be able to secure Karl so quickly following Ata Hingano's departure," said Warriors general manager football Brian Smith.

"While Karl's versatility is valuable, most of all he'll give us experience and add to our depth."

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney welcomed Lawton's arrival, the club's 10th new signing for 2018 and the third to join the club from Gold Coast, along with his former Titans teammates Agnatius Paasi and Leivaha Pulu.

"We really like what Karl has to offer and he'll be a great addition to our squad," Kearney said.

"He lined up against us twice last season and we've also seen him in trials so we have a good understanding of his qualities.

"It's also pleasing to see Sam and Hayze promoted. They've been wonderful during our preseason training programme and also impressed in both trials."

A Northcote junior, Cook (24) made 10 NYC appearances for the Junior Warriors in 2013 and has since gone on to play 37 times for the club's Intrust Super Premiership side.

The Westlake Boys' High School product spent 2016 playing in Newcastle before returning home to Auckland last year. He played all but one of the team's 25 games and was named the club's 2017 ISP Team Man of the Year.

Perham joined the club after an exceptional schoolboy career in both rugby league and rugby union, the latter in the Rotorua Boys' High School First XV. He combined his rugby union commitments with rugby league, playing for the Pikiao Warriors, for his school at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Nationals and for the New Zealand 18s.

The Warriors open their NRL season with next Saturday's round one clash against South Sydney in Perth on March 10.

Karl Lawton
Date of Birth: November 29, 1995
Birthplace: Murwillumbah, Qld
Junior Club: Burleigh Bears (Qld)
Position: Standoff
Height: 185cm
Weight: 93kg
Previous Clubs: Gold Coast Titans (2016-2017)
Rep Honours: Queensland under-20s (2015)
NRL Debut: Gold Coast v Vodafone Warriors, Mount Smart Stadium, July 2, 2016 (Round
17)
NRL Career: 12 appearances, 2016-2017
NRL Points: 8 (2 tries)

Sam Cook
Date of Birth: August 1, 1993
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Junior Club: Northcote Tigers
Position: Hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 92kg
Previous Clubs: South Newcastle
Rep Honours: NZ Maori Residents
NRL Debut: Yet to make NRL debut

Hayze Perham
Date of birth: July 2, 1999
Birthplace: Taupo, NZ
Junior Club: Pikiao Warriors
Position: Fullback
Height: 184cm
Weight: 88kg
Rep Honours: New Zealand 18s (2017)
NRL Debut: Yet to make NRL debut

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