Due to an influx of players vying for the Warriors' No.6 and 7 spots in 2009, halfback Grant Rovelli has been released from the final year of his contract to sign a two-year deal with the North Queensland Cowboys.
With off-season buys Joel Moon and Liam Foran, the returning Stacey Jones and Michael Witt all vying for spots in the halves, Rovelli was on the outer after 68 appearances for the Warriors.
Although he had a year to run on his contract, the Warriors have allowed the 25-year-old to link with the Cowboys and return to the club he initially played for as a junior footballer.
"We've agreed to release Grant from his last season," Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said.
"We appreciate the great service he's given the Vodafone Warriors and we wish him well in his career at the Cowboys and beyond. He has made a great contribution in his three seasons with us."
Rovelli will continue training with the Warriors before Christmas as he and partner Lauren remain in Auckland ahead of the birth of their first child, which is due on December 18.
His exit from the Warriors ends an often tumultuous three seasons at the club, where he was rookie of the year in 2006 but copped plenty of criticism for his form over the next two NRL campaigns.
Rovelli will now attempt to resurrect his career at the Cowboys, which brings him closer to his home town of Mackay.
"In a perfect world, we'd love to stay on but that's the way footy goes sometimes. I'm not complaining," Rovelli said.
"We've had a brilliant time in Auckland. I've loved playing for the Vodafone Warriors. This is where I was given my chance to play NRL football.
"I've made lots of great mates here, the coaching staff and management have helped me so much - I can't thank everyone enough for the experience."
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary was one person that stuck with Rovelli through thick and thin in his rollercoaster career at the club.
"I've known Grant for a while and he's champion bloke. He has been great around the club," Cleary said.
"I wish him all the very best and really hope everything works out well for him at the Cowboys."
Rovelli is likely to play a back-up role to Cowboys talisman Johnathan Thurston at halfback, where he could step into the breach when Thurston is on Origin and Test duty.