Rumoured Targets 3

[Yosh]

JSaf resigns for 3 years?

 

[Loose Cannon]

JSaf resigns for 3 years?

Resigns or Re-signs?

 

[Lynoman]

Origin gun's future confirmed with new deal

Among the NRL's most in-demand forwards

wwos.nine.com.au

Jacob Saifiti has given the Knights a massive boost for the future by agreeing to a new three year deal with the club.

Saifiti was one of the most sought-after forwards on the open market at the end of 2024, with rival teams able to talk to him since the start of this month.

But after testing the market, Saifiti has opted to remain with the Knights for the long term on a huge deal.

 

[Yosh]

Is he on a huge deal in terms of money or it's a huge deal and win for the club?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Brent Read reckons we've secured Tyrone Thompson's signature for 2025

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/saint-sinner-shoosh-dragons-set-for-billionaire-backing-in-sponsor-shakeup/news-story/d830f25d9bb82d78db449bab3432c81d?amp

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Can’t read the article as it’s behind a paywall. Who’s Tyrone Thompson?

 

[Burwood]

Leo’s twin brother.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Ah right, if he’s got an attitude like Leo then he’ll be a successful signing

 

[aqua_duck]

It’s abit of a coup, Tyrone has played for the Maori All Blacks and the All Blacks A team so he’s no scrub. What’s good is it probably means we’ll be able get o lock down Leo long term

 

[Burwood]

Out of curiosity, how many union forwards have made the switch successfully to league? All the cross-code success stories always appear to be backs.

 

[Old dog]

Didn’t Leo play a union before the switch?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Didn’t Leo play a union before the switch?

Yeah, he only started playing league like 3-4 years ago.

 

[PhilGould]

Leo was a centre in union though, Tyrone is a hooker. Doubt there's been many, if any, make that switch at this level.



Here's a bit of footage of him. Will probably aim to cut a few kgs but otherwise doesn't look like he'd be out of place as a middle forward in league from a physical standpoint.

 

[Burwood]

Didn’t Leo play a union before the switch?

He spent two seasons in the Raiders’ Flegg side before signing with us. So that’s 4 years in league for a guy who’s only 23.

Has any union forward (who didn’t start playing league fresh out of high school) made the switch successfully to league?

 

[Burwood]

Leo was a centre in union though, Tyrone is a hooker. Doubt there's been many, if any, make that switch at this level.



Here's a bit of footage of him. Will probably aim to cut a few kgs but otherwise doesn't look like he'd be out of place as a middle forward in league from a physical standpoint.

Yeah, it seems like inside centres in union can make good edge backrowers in the NRL (SBW and Crichton spring to mind), but haven’t heard of any players going or coming from union as hookers or props.

 

[Rod]

Tyrone is a bit of a funny shape for a union hooker, taller and thinner than most. That will help with transitioning to a prop/lock if that's what we have in mind.

 

[Jono078]

Brad Thorn was really good for the Broncos and came over from union. Not sure if he started in league though, prior to union.

 

[Old dog]

Lot of years ago, John Gray, N.S.Bears but likely a few others since

 

[perverse]

I don't see why he can't make the switch. It'll be the little things he'll need to adapt to - finding his front, the wrestle, cardio to deal with the 10m rule.

We're all sitting around wondering if it's ever been done before... but how many have really given it a crack? Blokes on the fringe of all black selection don't usually have a change of heart to league suddenly.

 

[PhilGould]

He’s a very realistic chance of forcing his way into the All Blacks side over the next few years as things stand now. Walking away from that dream to go try a new sport where he’ll probably spend most of his time in reserve grade for the first season at least at 24 or 25 years old is a strange move. His brother had a more transferable skill set to begin with and spent 2 years in an NRL system before making his debut.

I can definitely understand the allure of having another Leo Thompson in the team. If he has that same drive he’ll probably make it work, but worth pointing out that you never see it attempted because the body types and skillsets are so wildly different.