Rumoured Targets 3

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

The Newcastle Knights have beaten St George-Illawarra to secure rugby league’s number one recruitment guru Peter O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan is the man who, alongside Wayne Bennett, built the Dolphins roster for their entry into the NRL to become such an overnight success story.

He has previously worked at Melbourne Storm, the Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors where he discovered and signed the likes of Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, Boyd Cordner, Latrell Mitchell and Joey Manu as unknown teenagers.

It is a significant signing for the Knights, a heartland rugby league franchise with a massive junior nursery and a potential development and pathways system that should be as strong as Penrith.

He is expected to leave the Dolphins straight away.

Two weeks ago O’Sullivan appeared certain to be heading to the St George-Illawarra Dragons after several meetings with coach Shane Flanagan.

But Knights coach Adam O’Brien and general manager of football Peter Parr convinced him to head to Newcastle.

Newcastle have a number of key players coming off contract next year including Great Britain imports Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce.

Pearce Paul has been one of the buys of the year on the edge for the Knights this year.

They also have Jackson Hastings, Adam Elliott, Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson, Jack Hetherington, Dylan Lucas and Thomas Jenkins free to negotiate with rival clubs from November.

O’Sullivan’s thoughts on Hastings will be of particular interest.

The Sunday Telegraph reported last weekend that the Knights had reached out to NRL 360 host Braith Anasta in regards to his halfback Lachlan Ilias, who has been granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-league-recruitment-guru-peter-osullivan-joins-newcastle-knights/news-story/0f9c1a1b433867a3a26158eab184faa1?amp

He wouldn't be coming if he wasnt convinced he'd have tools to recruit with and be a success. Guaranteed - his record would suggest this is possibly one of the most important signings in the clubs history, I'm excited for this.

As for the players free to negotiate from November - Keep KPP, Lucas and Leo . The rest can go, and sooner the better.

Let's finally give KP a team to win a Premiership with.

 

[Knight Tales]

I would not be confident if I was a player going through the motions at this club. O’Sullivan would not be coming here if he wasn’t being given a clean slate. I would not dare to speculate on where this will go but we need to appreciate the long game being played by Parr and Phil G. They may not give the vibe of an open book but my lord do they know how to get their chosen targets.

 

[perverse]

The article says he is departing the Dolphins now which would suggest the club is putting him to work with immediate effect?

Yeah it's interesting that we have a few roster spots that just opened up too. Could be nothing, but a bit of a "watch this space" I guess.

 

[Knight Tales]

Yeah it's interesting that we have a few roster spots that just opened up too. Could be nothing, but a bit of a "watch this space" I guess.

With 3/4 of our spine OC either this year or next it is not hard to see where his priority will be to start with. Getting KP who he needs to be at his most lethal.

 

[Knight Tales]

Fletcher sharpe extension.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

This is really positive news. The player market is really bare when it comes to good halves and hookers so I hope O’Sullivan can uncover a few good ones out there.

 

[PhilGould]

Toohey's News

- Gardner talks up Peter O’Sullivan who’s already began work at the Knights on a “lucrative, multi-year deal.” Says the cap is tight for next year but they’ll be aggressive around free agents in November.

- The Armstrong situation is a mess and too confusing to try to recap but basically there's been issues with his management on top of his backflipping. It says they've been given time to make a final decision and also says Knights will look to go after a transfer fee from Leigh if he does leave. The manager had agreed to the new deal but nothing had been signed/lodged so not sure how successful they'd be in getting one.

- Rory Kostjasyn is off to the Dolphins next season so Knights on the lookout for a new assistant coach. Green & McDermott already re-signed.

 

[perverse]

Toohey's News

- Gardner talks up Peter O’Sullivan who’s already began work at the Knights on a “lucrative, multi-year deal.” Says the cap is tight for next year but they’ll be aggressive around free agents in November.

The way I read it, it says he's begun work after signing his OWN multi-year, lucrative deal with the club.

"O'Sullivan has wasted no time getting to work on the Knights' playing roster after finalising a lucrative multi-year contract with the club following his departure from the Dolphins."

But yes I'm sure he's sniffing about.

 

[PhilGould]

Yeah I was referring to O'Sullivan's own deal but can see the confusion

 

[Apey]

Toohey's News

Says the cap is tight for next year

Fascinating

 

[Yosh]

Probably 0% chance but would be amazing if he could convince Isaiya Katoa to come.

 

[Knight Tales]

Gardner is starting to give off Politis level vibes. I like it. The transfer fee for Armstrong is about accountability.

 

[perverse]

Probably 0% chance but would be amazing if he could convince Isaiya Katoa to come.

He's signed with the Dolphins until 2028 mate. May as well chuck Jarome Hughes and Mitchell Moses on the wishlist too.

 

[Yosh]

A man can dream!

 

[macavity]

Bionic Joey FTW. More likely tbh.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

I was hoping this would be the case - the numbers mentioned in the video confirm what's been written on here. Hetherington ( and Elliot ) have been recruitment Knightmares. Brailey needs to go as does Dsaf, no decent ROI with all of em.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/nrl...ment-daniel-saifiti/clxtfp6bq00030hs0eficgq73

 

[slotmachine]

Some crazy figures being thrown around there.

 

[Yosh]

Hopefully we can get them off our books sooner rather than later!!

 

[Knight Tales]

LOL our cap! Jesus H Christ. Kai is the only one who is in that league of money. O’Sullivan is a Godsend.

 

[perverse]

Some crazy figures being thrown around there.

I'll say. That core of DSaf, Brails and Hastings is a money pit with very very low return. Been impressed with KPP but i'd say he should be pulling his socks up a bit higher next year to deliver on his contract too.