Panther 540
106 matches [2014-2019]
160 points [40 tries]
Stats: themightypanthers.com/players_watenezelezniak-dallin.htm
New Zealand born St. Clair junior who was a member of the 2013 Under 20s premiership winning squad.
He made his NRL debut as an 18 year old early in the 2014, scoring two tries on the wing in a low scoring victory over Canberra. Overall, he would play 10 matches in his debut season, including both finals matches (where he performed a freakish try assist for the equalising try late in the epic qualifying final against the Roosters). Despite the small number of matches, he would be named in the New Zealand Four Nations squad at season’s end, but would be ruled out to injury.
Suspension would deny him a Test debut for the Kiwis in the 2015 ANZAC Test, and would later suffer a season ending lung injury, but not before making another 16 appearances for the Panthers.
By 2016, DWZ had cemented a role in the Panthers backline, and would finally see him make his long awaited Test debut in the corresponding ANZAC Test, and would play all 26 matches for the Panthers, crossing for 11 tries.
Another 24 matches for the Panthers, including one with his brother Malakai, ended with selection in the New Zealand World Cup squad.
He has played the majority of his matches at Penrith on the wing, but has filled in admirably on occasion in his preferred role of fullback, particularly enjoying an extended run in the custodian position in 2018. Retained as an incumbent in the end of season Test matches, he was named as Kiwis captain.
After starting the season in 2019 as part of the five man leadership group, he made his 100th appearance in the opening rounds but after 10 matches was dropped to the NSW Cup.
Soon after, he successfully sought a release from the Panthers and joined Canterbury mid-season, and played on for the Bulldogs in 2020. In 2021, he sought yet another mid-season release, signing with the New Zealand Warriors, and is currently contracted with the Warriors until the end of the 2024 season.
Last updated 22 November 2022
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