Wests Tigers
In September 2009, Moors signed a one-year contract with the Wests Tigers starting in 2010, with the Tigers having an option to extend his contract for a further season. [5]
Moors became a regular interchange player in the second half of 2012, making 14 appearances for the year. He said, "It’s something I have struggled with over the last couple of years, keeping my weight down but it’s been good this year. I’m starting to feel more comfortable in the team now." [6] Statistically, Moors was revealed to be one of the most effective tacklers in the NRL in 2012, with a 94.1% success rate in tackles. [7] He was also a member of the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers side that lost the NSW Cup grand final. [8]
Castleford Tigers
On 11 June 2014, it was confirmed that Moors had signed a three-year contract to play for the Super League club the Castleford Tigers (Heritage No. 953) from 2015. [10] Castleford head coach Daryl Powell said of the signing: "I think his style is going to be really well-suited to the Super League and he'll be a real threat." [11]
Moors was given squad number 16 ahead of his first season with the Tigers. Moors made his Super League début against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the first round, on 8 February 2015. [12] He scored his first try for the club against the Warrington Wolves in round 23, on 26 July. [13] He finished the year having made 25 appearances and scored 4 tries. [14]
For 2016, Moors was assigned shirt number 17. He suffered a broken hand in March, missing 8 games, although returned earlier than expected - Daryl Powell described his post-injury form as "outstanding", and called him "a tough character". [15] His "irrepressible" performance in Castleford's 52–12 victory over West Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos saw him voted as the Fans' Man of the Match. [16] His outstanding personal year saw him dominate the club's end-of-season awards, being recognised as the Fans' Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, and 1st Place Player of the Year. [17] In October, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Tigers until the end of 2019. [18] "He had an enormous 2016, being one of the best forwards in Super League," said Daryl Powell. [18]
Moors was utilised as an impact player for the 2017 season, making the vast majority of his appearances as an interchange. [14] In June, he sustained a knee ligament injury which kept him out for 8 games. [19] He continued his impressive performances, and greatly contributed towards the Tigers 1st-placed finish in Super League. Resultantly, in August he signed a further one-year contract extension, keeping him at Castleford until the end of 2020. [20] Daryl Powell said, "Junior Moors is a high-quality player who has continued to get better during his time at the club." [20] He played in the 2017 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford. [21] [22] [23]
Following the retirement of Andy Lynch, Moors was given squad number 8 for 2018. [24] This, however, didn't reflect any change in his role on the pitch, as he remained a key impact substitute. [14] He largely avoided any long-term injuries and made 25 appearances this year. He also scored 8 tries, including his first brace against the Huddersfield Giants on 13 September - this made the 2018 season his highest-scoring campaign yet. [14]
Moors' 2019 season was severely limited by serious injuries - he sustained a knee injury in April, keeping him out for 2 months, before suffering a season-ending hip fracture in just his second game back. [25] [26] He made 13 appearances and scored 3 tries. [14]
In November 2020, Castleford coach Daryl Powell confirmed the departure of Moors. [27]
