Rumoured Targets 3

[Yosh]

He won't get a start there anyway right?

 

[Woody90]

We weren’t going to get Pezet for 2025 anyway: smart clubs like Melb weren’t going to get him go without anything in return and I doubt we have anyone they’d want.

Like someone else said, a lot can happen by 2026 so it’s not all doom and gloom. At least chasing him when he’s so unproven has made a point that we’re not happy with the current halves.

I hope we told the Dogs where to go re Votano. He seems to be highly rated within the club. I actually think losing him would be way more devastating than Leo. Need to find a path to FG for him.

 

[Knight Tales]

Having your clearly outstanding top talents come through at fullback is really really dumb. Especially when you have a world class 1 blocking the way. Sharpe and Votano both have had interest in the last 12 months for this exact reason. At least we have Sharpe sorted for now.

 

[Woody90]

Having your clearly outstanding top talents come through at fullback is really really dumb. Especially when you have a world class 1 blocking the way. Sharpe and Votano both have had interest in the last 12 months for this exact reason.

I mean it’s unfortunate but it’s definitely not dumb. We give the club enough criticism for what they deserve to be criticised for, let’s not start piling it on for being good at producing fullbacks. There’s enough else we can find to complain about.

 

[Knight Tales]

I mean it’s unfortunate but it’s definitely not dumb. We give the club enough criticism for what they deserve to be criticised for, let’s not start piling it on for being good at producing fullbacks. There’s enough else we can find to complain about.

It is dumb. It is lack of foresight. Votano has been talked up for two or three years now. Kalyn has been here that time. Same with Sharpe. All fullbacks. Also our top talent. No attempt to move them or develop in another position early to make a clear pathway. Look I am acutely aware the plan is to likely develop them elsewhere with the senior squad. But it invites pressure from outside that is not really required. These rival clubs are planting the idea they are fullbacks and nothing else to try to get them out of the club.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Sharpe and Votano played a lot of junior fullback because they have a natural aptitude at it. What is the club supposed to do, wave a stopwatch in front of their face until they're hypnotised into being better at a different position? It doesn't work like that.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

It is dumb. It is lack of foresight. Votano has been talked up for two or three years now. Kalyn has been here that time. Same with Sharpe. All fullbacks. Also our top talent. No attempt to move them or develop in another position early to make a clear pathway. Look I am acutely aware the plan is to likely develop them elsewhere with the senior squad. But it invites pressure from outside that is not really required. These rival clubs are planting the idea they are fullbacks and nothing else to try to get them out of the club.

Playing juniors at fullback doesn't mean they will be 1st graders there. In fact it's rare for players in the outside backs to debut or even stay in their chosen position once they hit NRL level.

Melb had 4 fullbacks come through at similar times and made 2 of them into arguably the best halves combo in the comp.

Have a look at guys like Koula and Weekes, both fancied junior fullbacks that now play 5/8 and centre

You're over blowing it massively mate

 

[Woody90]

It is dumb. It is lack of foresight. Votano has been talked up for two or three years now. Kalyn has been here that time. Same with Sharpe. All fullbacks. Also our top talent. No attempt to move them or develop in another position early to make a clear pathway. Look I am acutely aware the plan is to likely develop them elsewhere with the senior squad. But it invites pressure from outside that is not really required. These rival clubs are planting the idea they are fullbacks and nothing else to try to get them out of the club.

They came through as fullbacks because they have the natural skills for it. Sharps already been moved to wing and Votano is being trialled in a number of different positions in the juniors.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Pretty sure Lucas was playing fullback/winger when we got him.. Now he's a forward lol

 

[SamSepi0l]

Playing juniors at fullback doesn't mean they will be 1st graders there. In fact it's rare for players in the outside backs to debut or even stay in their chosen position once they hit NRL level.

Melb had 4 fullbacks come through at similar times and made 2 of them into arguably the best halves combo in the comp.

Have a look at guys like Koula and Weekes, both fancied junior fullbacks that now play 5/8 and centre

You're over blowing it massively mate

Melbourne, another famously dumb club, just like us SMH.

 

[aqua_duck]

It is dumb. It is lack of foresight. Votano has been talked up for two or three years now. Kalyn has been here that time. Same with Sharpe. All fullbacks. Also our top talent. No attempt to move them or develop in another position early to make a clear pathway. Look I am acutely aware the plan is to likely develop them elsewhere with the senior squad. But it invites pressure from outside that is not really required. These rival clubs are planting the idea they are fullbacks and nothing else to try to get them out of the club.

The thing is kids like Votano come into the system at 14-15 years of age, at that age it’s very hard to say who will be a potential first grader or even who will end up a fullback, also it’s hard to definitively be sure your current star fullback will still be around in 4-5 years.
For what it’s worth Votano has played all over the backline this year this year with quite a few games on the wing which is where he was picked for NSW under 19s.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Sounds like he's gone...

Leo Thompson rejects Newcastle Knights offer, set to leave club

Thompson has been mulling over his future at the Knights for the past couple of months and on Monday informed the club of his decision to sever ties at the end of 2025.

www.smh.com.au

 

[aqua_duck]

Sounds like he's gone...

Leo Thompson rejects Newcastle Knights offer, set to leave club

Thompson has been mulling over his future at the Knights for the past couple of months and on Monday informed the club of his decision to sever ties at the end of 2025.

www.smh.com.au

Always seemed like the likely outcome. I have a feeling when it’s all said and done he’ll end up one of the highest paid props in the comp which to me doesn’t match his output

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Looks like Leo told the Club he won’t be resigning when his deal expires.

 

[perverse]

lol, so he doesn't even know where he's going - he just knows he's not staying?

Nice to be the first ones off the table. Not a massive surprise though. I can't remember a single word from his mouth indicating he was keen to stay?

 

[perverse]

Always seemed like the likely outcome. I have a feeling when it’s all said and done he’ll end up one of the highest paid props in the comp which to me doesn’t match his output

Losing Upton and missing out on Pezet bother me more than Leo leaving (because, as you said, we'd likely end up over-paying him to stay given the circumstances). To eat all 3 shit sandwiches at the same time is a bit much though. Pezet stayed in Melbourne to play reserve grade over coming to us (and a much bigger paycheque). Upton couldn't flee Newcastle quick enough.

Being a Knights fan is a really tough gig, and this is an off season that really pushes you hard to find the reasons why you bother.

 

[Burwood]

Reading between the lines from the article, he’s already come to terms with another club and now Newcastle have 10 days to convince him to stay before the contract is registered.

 

[Yosh]

Bye Leo.

We gonna be able to field a team in 2026 or what?

1. Ponga
2. Sharpe
3. Best
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Jsaf
9.
10.
11. Lucas
12.
13.

14. Crossland
15.
16.
17.

That's all we have right?

 

[Haffa]

You forgot 12. SBW @Yosh

 

[SamSepi0l]

Losing Upton and missing out on Pezet mother bother me more than Leo leaving (because, as you said, we'd likely end up over-paying him to stay given the circumstances). To eat all 3 shit sandwiches at the same time is a bit much though. Pezet stayed in Melbourne to play reserve grade over coming to us (and a much bigger paycheque). Upton couldn't flee Newcastle quick enough.

Being a Knights fan is a really tough gig, and this is an off season that really pushes you hard to find the reasons why you bother.

Pretty much this. It sucks to lose Leo but we just rid of a prop who we paid too much for, not immediately over committing to the next one off contract and making the same mistake is progress, even if it doesn't feel like it.

Missing out on Pezet hurts a lot more.