Paul Franze to the Knights + Royal resigns

[Burwood]

Former Knights Coming Home

Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - Newcastle Knights

Two Novocastrians will return home next season to continue their NRL careers with the Newcastle Knights, after agreeing to terms with the club overnight.

Former Cronulla and Penrith First Grader, Paul Franze will turn full circle after signing a two-year deal.

A Raymond Terrace junior, the 24-year-old toured with the Junior Kangaroos and made his First Grade debut for the Sharks in Round 6 of the 2002 season against the Knights.

A strong, hard running centre, Franze has recently returned from England after a year of Premiership Rugby with London Irish and a stint with English Rugby League club, Castleford Tigers.

“It’s great to be coming home with the opportunity to resume my career where it all began. Next season can’t come soon enough,” Franze said.

Franze will be joined by current Rabbitohs Fullback/Centre and former Kurri junior, Todd Polglase, who has also agreed to terms for at least two years.

Cessnock born Polglase left Newcastle to join the Bulldogs in 2002, also making his First Grade debut against the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium. (Round 20, 2002)

He departs the Rabbitohs after three seasons at Redfern to return to his former club.

“Having Newcastle players represent their home town holds intrinsic value for the Knights as a football club,” said Newcastle Knights Operations Manager, Stephen Crowe.

“Most of our current First Grade team is made up of local products and next year this percentage will, in all likelihood, grow.”

“We have some outstanding young players, particularly in our Jersey Flegg (u/20) level, and I would expect some of those players, along with the likes of Todd Polglase and Paul Franze, to play a major role in our 2007 campaign,” said Crowe.

Meanwhile, Premier League powerhouse, Jesse Royal has secured his future with the Newcastle Knights, re-signing for a further two seasons.

 

[Johns Magic]

How's Franze been going in England?

Where will Polglase play? PL?

 

[northey]

wow we do make signings

 

[Burwood]

So after an initial slow start it looks like the Knights recruitment team are in a bit of a flurry. I'm happy with the path that they are following at the moment- no big superstar signatures on 3 or 4 year deals, but solid hardworkers who shouldn't disapoint and won't break the bank. I guess that they are showing faith in the junior talent that we have and hoping that in 2008 these guys will be ready for first grade?

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

He had potential back in the day.. But then he left.. Obviously didnt do too well in england

 

[Burwood]

He had potential back in the day.. But then he left.. Obviously didnt do too well in england

He played seven games of union for London Irish and three games of league for Castleford. Both times he left the club (wasn't sacked).

For anybody curious there is a surprisingly large wiki on him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Franze#Cronulla-Sutherland_Sharks

 

[balmainbenny]

It sounds like the Knights are trying to buy back the farm I(McDouggall, Polgase and Franze).

McDouggall will be a great hit at your club next season. I love watching him play with his hard runs. It is the right environment for him and will repond in positive manner.

Franze has a big question mark over him. He was killing it before a Hodges-like knee injury. As Hodges shown, it took him about two years to recover. He does have ability, but is a gamble.

I don't rate Polgase at all. I just don't think he is first grade standard.

 

[aqua_duck]

Hmmm, I'm not sure we're going down the right path TBH, Franze, I guess if he's not on much money can be a decent signing, gives us abit of depth, Polglase, gees, I really don't know, he's pretty much a less injury prone version of Seage, thats about it. They're both 'solid' players but that's pretty much how you'd describe our entire team, and seriously you don't win a comp with a team of just 'solid' players

 

[balmainbenny]

I wouldn't class either as solid, but Franze does have ability.

 

[Parki]

franze mcdougall and tighe ---- all quality centres

if i was Carmont id be sh*tting bricks.... he has no Hagan to defend him in 07.....


George ------- Real NRL

good riddance I say

 

[reginald.p]

Thats a pretty cool signing i think.

 

[Burwood]

franze mcdougall and tighe ---- all quality centres

if i was Carmont id be sh*tting bricks.... he has no Hagan to defend him in 07.....


George ------- Real NRL

good riddance I say

i was just thinking the exact same thing. I wouldn't even be surprised if they released him, and Seage's chance of a new contract are diminishing. Tighe might be a bit nervous as well- that centre spot won't be so easy for him to grab now.

 

[Parki]

1.Thiaday
2.Mcdougall
3.Franze
4.Kurt Gidley
5.Brad Tighe

reserve grade

1.Hinton
2.Seage
3.Carmont
4.McManus
5. Uate

 

[Burwood]

1.Thiaday
2.Mcdougall
3.Franze
4.Kurt Gidley
5.Brad Tighe

reserve grade

1.Hinton
2.Seage
3.Carmont
4.McManus
5. Uate

The only change I'd make is Polglase in for Seage.

 

[lolesi]

I have watched a bit of Franze over the last year and he look very lazy and unfit, though he does show the odd glimpse of the class he has.

If you guys could get him back to full fitness and continue to work on his dodgy knee's he would make an impact again, and i hope he does, he was a favourite of mine and it was sad to see him slide so far down the list of class centres.

 

[macavity]

funny stuff

I used to work with Franze's brother. He did nothing but dump on the Knights, saying how poorly they treated his brother.

He has some ability, but his knees are roo-ted.

still, how funny.

Polglase I dont rate. Hope im wrong.

 

[Parki]

The only change I'd make is Polglase in for Seage.

fair call, i dont know much about Polglaise

i dont follow Souths at all, so my guess would be he would start in reggies... thats why i put him there

 

[Munky]

I hope your winger wears a jacket onto the field because the only thing he will be catching playing outside of Franze is a cold.

 

[aqua_duck]

I remember that, how many franze flick passes intended for Luke Rooney went over the touchline last year?

 

[The Devil]

I'm actually quite happy at this signing. I was expecting us to go sign some nuffy for big money ala Reynoldson, but instead we've bought a solid centre with some potential.

Also with the PL line up, i'd have Polglase in Carmont's spot. Polglase puts 100% in all the time and can actually defend.