Rumoured Targets 3

[PhilGould]

Newcastle is facing a battle to keep boom winger Dominic Young as five rival clubs join the chase to secure the services of the flyer.

The Daily Telegraph understands the Knights, who took a punt on the English outside back, are yet to table a formal extension to keep Young at the club.

It’s understood the Knights have expressed a desire to keep Young beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of season 2023.

But without an offer from Newcastle to stay in the Hunter, Young is set to become one of the hottest November 1 prospects when he hits the open market in two weeks.

Young’s management has had informal talks with five rival clubs already, four of which are Sydney-based clubs.

All five clubs are waiting for Young to return from his Rugby League World Cup duties for England, when face-to-face contract talks will take place.

Young’s stocks are only set to rise after an impressive two-try performance for England against Samoa in the opening match of the World Cup.

Young cemented his NRL credentials in 2022, his first full season at NRL level, with 14 tries and 78 tackle busts from 20 games, and an average of 134 metres per game.

The Knights picked up the 200-centimetre flyer on a three-year deal in 2020 from English Super League side Huddersfield.

Before moving to Australia, the towering winger made his senior debut for the Giants as a 17-year old.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-market-watch-knights-set-to-offload-jake-clifford-as-chase-for-luke-brooks-hots-up/news-story/478cb6d05468cfb3ce528ba397bbeacc?amp

 

[PhilGould]

Heads should roll if we truly didn't even table an extension

 

[Loose Cannon]

I guess Crossland was a higher priority. There just aren’t enough hours in a day!

 

[Knight Tales]

I doubt one word of that article is true apart from the clubs chasing him. The biggest threat will be Union.

 

[PhilGould]

Reads like it's coming directly from his manager IMO

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I have a feeling the club probably wanted to wrap him up earlier but the player manager wanted to wait until after the WC. Can’t blame him either. He just had a pretty good NRL season followed by what’s looking like it could be an impressive World Cup.

 

[Burwood]

I think he’ll be back playing centre in not too long- too good to be kept out on the wing.

 

[mozza91]

Happy for him and Gagai to swap.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Ponga and Brooks to the halves. Dom trains at fullback. Would need some work on the lower kicks and his hands but he has everything to be a world class fullback. He left Joseph S in his wake with that second try. Dom hitting the line off a short ball in support up the middle would be a thing of beauty.

The kids only just learnt to catch bombs without spilling them, Id not want him at fullback just yet. He'd also need to do some significant work on his ball playing

I think hes pretty far away from all of that right now. Centre or wing is where he'll be

 

[Spot On]

I think he’ll be back playing centre in not too long- too good to be kept out on the wing.

Ah, more interesting recruitment and retention decisions to make.

Now, who will make way for Dom to move to the centres should he need a huge bucket of cash to be convinced to stay at this dump?

 

[Yosh]

If we move Ponga to the halves, don't we need a fullback? Why not groom Dom there? He improved out of sight in 2022. I don't see why he won't be equally impressive in 2023 at fullback.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

If we move Ponga to the halves, don't we need a fullback? Why not groom Dom there? He improved out of sight in 2022. I don't see why he won't be equally impressive in 2023 at fullback.

See my post, the one you liked, above matey

 

[Yosh]

See my post, the one you liked, above matey

I like your point but I don't see why he can't beat your expectations.

 

[Spot On]

If we move Ponga to the halves, don't we need a fullback? Why not groom Dom there? He improved out of sight in 2022. I don't see why he won't be equally impressive in 2023 at fullback.

There’s a bit more to playing 1 than wing/centre Yosh.

Not going to happen in the off season.

 

[Spot On]

Happy for Wayne to take Gags at the Dolphins to free up cash.

 

[Knight Tales]

It won’t be so much the money with Dom, although he will be up for a decent upgrade, but the potential to be unlocked. That is where we have big choices to make. Finding a coach who can take him where he needs to get to. I don’t see him making a contract call for some time yet unless he is happy to extend 12 months.

 

[SamSepi0l]

Nothing more rugby league than taking a player who is elite in one position and trying to shoe horn them into another.
Leave him be.

 

[slotmachine]

Kurt Mann to fullback, gotta keep him in the starting side!

 

[Old dog]

Can’t see us getting much, quality, for 2023 so will have to do with what we have with maybe a few inclusions to come if we can offload some of what we have.
Firstly Ponga to 6, need a f/b let’s say Mann.
Young is r/wing, Mapapalangi has been blooded, showed promise so he is R/centre, Best on last chance is L/centre with Gagai at wing. Ponga and Brookes 6 & 7, crossed fingers that will work. 8-13 Safs, Brailey, Friz, Jones and Elliott. 14-17 any four fit and well showing enthusiasm.
Not considered, likely moving or considering, Klemmer, Clifford, Clune, Fitz, Johns, Saulo.

 

[macavity]

Linked to Adam Keighran.

Centy Coast boy, utility back or hooker, better than a number of ours. Good squad filler. Problem is, we need to move on half a dozen bad squad fillers before we back fill those positions.