Off Contract 2023

[NoSchitSherlock]

Who do we keep and who do we let go?
Opinions might change during the season.
Source might not be up to date.
We know Fitz will be resigned if not already.
I hope Friz stays on. More left in him.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS​

Players off contract: 14

Adam Clune, Bailey Hodgson, Brodie Jones, Dylan Lucas (PO 2024), Enari Tuala, Hymel Hunt, Jack Johns, Kurt Mann, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Tyson Frizell, Chris Vea'ila, Kobe Rugless, Miles Martin, Tavita Toloi

 

[aqua_duck]

Of that group I’d only keep one of Hunt/Tuala, Friz, Vea’ila and Rugless on development deals and we know Mann and Fitz will be retained, the rest I’m not overly fussed about

 

[PhilGould]

Wouldn't lose sleep over any of them leaving.

Frizell isn't what he used to be and his body seems to be falling apart. Still has something to offer but wouldn't get in a bidding war for him. Fitzgibbon has been our best second-rower to start the year but it's the most obvious area where we need upgrades.

Of the development players; Rugless & Vea'ila both seem to be out of favour at the moment, Martin is still under contract for next year and Toloi was already let go in pre-season.

The rest are depth players at best.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Yeah Toloi is gone and they gave his development spot to Keeley, and Oryn’s development contract is for three years.

Vea’ila playing Flegg atm doesn’t necessarily mean he’s out of favour.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Frizell I think we should keep and I’m sure he’d understand his market value is lower at the moment.

Fitz, maybe show him some Mike McMeeken highlights? He’d realise that he’d be an absolute star in the Super League if he watched those.

Toohey said the other day that he thinks the club will sign a winger, don’t know if it’s just to replace Dom or if it means Enari/Hymel is also leaving.

I think we should keep Tuala. Still very young, costs nothing, provides cover for the whole 2-5 even if I hate his work at right centre.

 

[Old dog]

A lot will depend on who/what’s available and Cap as most on that list are not high earners so replacing them with better more expensive players might not be possible keeping in mind we have KPP and Pryce coming so might let half go and keep half. That would mean buying further 4-5 as long as they are quality we will then be improved.

 

[Burwood]

I think Fitz will show this year that he deserves another contract. He played absolutely no football over the last couple of years and kept missing offseason training.

I think by mid season we’ll see him back to full fitness and having developed stronger combinations with the spine- he’s only going to improve on current form. I also get the feeling we wouldn’t need to pay much to keep him.

 

[Old dog]

With Toloi gone then others likely to be gone or not needed are Clune, Hodgson, Jones, Hunt, Johns and Frizell subject to fitness. And of course Young is gone.
Keeping Mann for versatility, Fitz who is playing strong and Vea’ila who is still developing.
Rugless and Martin development contracts

 

[perverse]

I think Fitz will show this year that he deserves another contract. He played absolutely no football over the last couple of years and kept missing offseason training.

I think by mid season we’ll see him back to full fitness and having developed stronger combinations with the spine- he’s only going to improve on current form. I also get the feeling we wouldn’t need to pay much to keep him.

No matter which way you cut it - even at peak form - he is still incredibly one dimensional. He has pretty much one line he runs. I will grant you that if a team doesn't do some basic homework, he will hit a few holes well if the halves keep giving it to him. He's looked good this year because he is actually in peak form, and the idiot teams we've played haven't aimed up on him properly.

KPP will be Fitz's replacement. A kid with far more potential, plenty of tomorrows and a very diverse skillset by comparison.

Fitz probably is a first grade "capable" player... he's just one of the filler guys that plays either in reserve grade for a good team, or starts for one of the worst teams in the comp.

 

[perverse]

Adam Clune, Bailey Hodgson, Brodie Jones, Dylan Lucas (PO 2024), Enari Tuala, Hymel Hunt, Jack Johns, Kurt Mann, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Tyson Frizell, Chris Vea'ila, Kobe Rugless, Miles Martin, Tavita Toloi

As for who to keep of this bunch... a lot of it depends on the role in the squad and who we can bring in. If we can't get a better player than Friz, I think you keep him at a reduced rate. The likes of Tuala, Jones, Fitz, Hunt... you can make an argument that they would be good depth players if no other club wants to pick them up for a starting position. But they are very much depth - playing reserve grade unless you need them. You don't keep all of them, either.

I think Clune, Hodgson and Johns are the 3 that stand out to me as just putting a line through them entirely. There's no argument to re-sign them in any circumstance. You can maybe make an argument for Hodgson if KP retires.

But yeah I don't think you can look at this list in a vacuum and pick the keepers without knowing what we can get on the open market, how much money there is to play with, etc. What I can say about it is that Friz is the only one i'd be signing with a position in the top 17 in mind.

 

[macavity]

Thoughts on Friz moving to middle rotation?

I would keep Fitz on modest coin, which he probably takes to stay. He is a first grader.

Tuala or Hunt too. Hunt seems to be preferred but I think Tuala has more growing to do.

While no one else jumps out as a "must keep" we need to remember you only get rid of someone if you have a better option lined up. We have never exactly been a free agent magnet.

 

[mozza91]

Friz is a must keep. Tough as tails and can help teach the young blokes.
I’d keep Clune (as long as he’s cheap), Fitzy, one of Tuala or Hunt,Martin, Vea’ila and Johns if continues to improve and hopefully Lucas takes the player option because I’d like to see more of him.

 

[aqua_duck]

Thoughts on Friz moving to middle rotation?

I would keep Fitz on modest coin, which he probably takes to stay. He is a first grader.

Tuala or Hunt too. Hunt seems to be preferred but I think Tuala has more growing to do.

While no one else jumps out as a "must keep" we need to remember you only get rid of someone if you have a better option lined up. We have never exactly been a free agent magnet.

Fitz isn’t a terrible player but by god he is so one dimensional and has the ability to compound an error with a piggy back penalty, in saying that I think he’d be a useful benchy and his ability to just run that hard line might be useful in the middle. These days I think if you have an edge forward with decent footwork that’s so valuable as it opens up more space on the outside. Like you I’d keep Tuala as Hunt is turning 30 this year, there’s also not an abundance of quality outside backs off contract

 

[Yosh]

Fitzgibbon's defense has been pretty solid this season. As long as he keeps defending well, I think he is a useful player on minimum contract.

If Frizzell takes a big paycut then I'd keep him but isn't he on a big coin for an older injury prone player who is past his best? I would love for him to stay but surely he needs to take a pay cut?

 

[HarVeeGee]

Fitz runs a good line but he’s blown good chances in multiple games now not getting the ball to Braddy with a good run at scrambling D. He’s also still got issues defensively and as others have said has the odd horribly lazy effort in him and gives away many piggy back penalties.

Have heard the club is looking at Scott Sorensen for next year and he’d be a good pickup, would start on the left edge and would also be a really versatile bench player once someone like KPP or Keeley is really demanding that spot. He’s not a great hole runner but he’s a great defender who’d shore up that edge and brings a lot more footy intelligence and consistency of effort.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

I don't think Fitz has been bad defensively at all this year really, in fact I think he's been very good

He has blown a few tries either directly or indirectly though, that's certainly true

 

[Mr_Knightside]

IMO Fitz is an ok first grader, probably a benchie at a consistent top 8 club. He runs a better line than plenty of more highly rated back rowers out there but yeah tends to make poor decisions when he could set up his outside man. His defence can be hit and miss but so far this year has been solid enough.

In an ideal world we sign or develop an upgrade to take that left edge spot and Fitz ends up on the bench. But I think he’s shown enough in first grade so far to add another 50-100 games to his career, whether that’s here or at another club.

 

[K-Man]

Assuming we re-sign a few of those for depth but obviously not all, the squad isn't shaping up too badly for 2024 with the two English players arriving. Pretty clear we'll be in the market for a winger to replace to Dom, perhaps one of Tuala/Hunt will stay as well. And I imagine at least one of Fitz/Frizz will be kept on, possibly even both.

What will be interesting is what we do with the spine, lock position and bench utility / forward rotation. If everyone is fit it's hard to see how it won't be 1. Miller 6. Ponga 7. Hastings 9. Brailey, but then what happens with Gamble, Pryce and (hopefully not) Mann and/or Crossland if retained? I still think Elliot is the ball-playing 13 once he gets fit.

Gamble is hard to leave out of the 17 imo. Pryce isn't coming here to learn in reserves for two years. Even Jack Johns showed yesterday that there could be a future as a mobile middle forward (he's not an edge player from what I've seen). I can't see how Mann gets in the team, but AOB loves him so he will probably still be re-signed before the season ends.

1. Miller
2. New Signing
3. Gagai
4. Best
5. Marzhew
6. Ponga
7. Hastings
8. D Saifiti
9. Brailey
10. Thompson
11. Pearce-Paul
12. Fitgibbon/Frizell
13. Elliot

14. Pryce/Gamble
15. Hetherington
16. Croker
17. J Saifiti

18. Gamble/Pryce
19. Johns
20. Sasagi
21. Tuala/Hunt
22. Cant
23. Lucas
24. Keeley
25. Rivett
26. Mapapalangi
27. Talty

 

[slotmachine]

Crossland was given a two year deal so is still here for 2024.

Don't ask me why.

 

[K-Man]

Crossland was given a two year deal so is still here for 2024.

Don't ask me why.

Forgot about that. Yuck. That said, when our fairly long list of decent utility/middle forward players are actually fit and healthy, Crossland now appears to be the backup hooker. So he's taking Randall's spot until someone better comes through the grades. I doubt we will see much of Crossland (other than to fill in for Brailey at 9) once he's competing with Gamble, Pryce, Sasagi, Elliot, Johns and possibly Mann. At least I hope not.