As the Cherrypickers look to become a Group Nine force in 2017, they will welcome halfback Raymond Talimalie.

The 23-year-old has quite the pedigree.

Talimalie was named Auckland’s best rugby league player two seasons ago while playing for Mangere East in the Fox Memorial Trophy and was named Halfback of the Year last season.

He’s also spent time in New Zealand’s NSW Cup team and was in the Melbourne Storm under 20s three years ago.

Incoming captain-coach James Woolford is exciting about the halfback’s prospects.

“He is a quality signing for us,” Woolford said

“To gain someone of Raymond’s calibre is massive for us.”

The ‘Pickers have also signed front rower Sio Setafano.

Setefano was close to making a move to Young a couple of seasons ago before picking up an injury.

He’s since turned his hand to boxing, but re-ignited his passion for the game.

“He was a strength and conditioner for a side over there then got back into league from that,” Woolford said.

“He wants to give league another red hot crack after getting a sniff of it last year.”

Woolford hopes both will be long term acquisitions for the club.

“They are both reasonably young and still have a lot of football left in them,” he said.

“That is good and we want to keep them here for a fair few years now.”

With the addition of Setefano, Young will have front row stocks to be the envy of any of their rivals.

Young has already re-signed their homegrown props Kyle Richens and Aaron Slater, who played Country Bulls this season, while Mitchell Sullivan has agreed to another year after suffering a severe ankle injury shortly after arriving.

Woolford expects the 25-year-old will only add to the club’s depth at the position.

“We already have a couple of handy props but just needed that one more to give those two a hand,” he said.

“He is another real quality front rower and a big boy.

“He’s pretty tall, pretty built and pretty fit after being in the boxing game.”

Both players are expected to arrive in Young in January.

After taking over from Neil Thorman as captain-coach, Woolford is looking to build on the club’s fifth place finish.

“It was disappointing to go out the way we did and I think that will drive a lot of the boys this season,” he said.

Woolford also confirmed Thorman won’t be with Young next season.