Rumoured Targets 3

[Mr_Knightside]

I’m in the same boat with a lot of people on here. It’s obviously a risky contract but I would much rather we fire some shots in the recruitment market and get a seriously talented player to the club and at least give us a chance to put ourselves in a premiership window… the alternative is basically what we’ve been getting for the last 5+ years where KP drags this team into the bottom half of the 8 and we’re out first (maybe second) week of the finals.

We need to be top 4 regularly to give us a serious chance at winning a premiership.

 

[Yosh]

8 year deal sounds much better. Only 2 years and 200k more than the Parra deal. Funny how everyone is losing their minds haha.

 

[slotmachine]

We need to be top 4 regularly to give us a serious chance at winning a premiership.

Will need to find some middle forwards to get there. At the moment our first choice is:

JSaf, Leo, Friz, Hetho, Elliott, Croker

and the ones in bold probably won't be here next year.

 

[Allstar Knights]

Will need to find some middle forwards to get there. At the moment our first choice is:

JSaf, Leo, Friz, Hetho, Elliott, Croker

and the ones in bold probably won't be here next year.

I suspect Cant could be a direct replacement for Elliott next year. His numbers in NSW Cup last week were huge as well.

 

[perverse]

Will need to find some middle forwards to get there. At the moment our first choice is:

JSaf, Leo, Friz, Hetho, Elliott, Croker

and the ones in bold probably won't be here next year.

Yep for sure. I suspect at least 1 and maybe 2 replacements will come from within. Hopwood is just about a sure thing. Our pack will need to make way for McEwen before long too, so I don't know what that reshuffle looks like... but I've seen enough of him to know he'll be getting a good shot.

 

[slotmachine]

I reckon Hopwood is a 2027 proposition, but yep him, Cant and McEwen all look like first graders.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

Sharpe is a halfback

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...y/news-story/78a0a276b337c6987fba59dc94674297
Brown’s arrival in Newcastle is good news for Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga but it’s even better for rising half Fletcher Sharpe.

I signed Fletcher when he was a star halfback for the Cessnock under-15s premiership side and brought him into Newcastle’s academy.

 

[Unicorn]

Great ar

Sharpe is a halfback

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...y/news-story/78a0a276b337c6987fba59dc94674297
Brown’s arrival in Newcastle is good news for Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga but it’s even better for rising half Fletcher Sharpe.

I signed Fletcher when he was a star halfback for the Cessnock under-15s premiership side and brought him into Newcastle’s academy.

Great article ,thanks.

 

[ryan.a87]

The more I think about it, the more I think they need to move Sharpe to 7 when Gamble returns, give him as much experience there as possible for next year

when gamble comes back, we’ll have 2 no6s in the halves, why not try Sharpe there

I can’t see Cogger keeping his spot when Gamble comes back, I don’t care if we have somehow won 6 in a row at that point, Cogger is easily the weakest link in the side

 

[Loose Cannon]

I still maintain my original stance that he (edit DB) is not what we need primarily (an organiser), and the early details presented ridiculous overs in the current market. However….

I do hope he can develop those extra attributes as he matures, and I do appreciate the Knights making a play at another talent.

Eight years with one-way options and ratchets capped is very clever from the club. Certainly something we aren’t used to seeing. I truly hope these are the facts.

I’m glad the club may be looking at Sharpe 7, Brown 6. I just think keeping Brown there is playing to his strengths, whereas I think Sharpe could be moulded otherwise. Our running game should be a thing of beauty between the two of them plus Ponga, I just see Sharpe as more likely to carve up centre field of quick plays, or out of dummy half himself, than Brown who is best served wider. I hope Blake Green has been afforded a significant portion of his time towards Sharpe’s development exclusively. I wouldn’t be throwing him there anytime soon and expect him to take charge immediately, but if Gamble particularly ends as his permanent partner this year, by the back end of season it could be worth switching roles (as limited a difference that some may acknowledge) a couple of times.

Whatever may be, it’s good to be trying something.

 

[Old dog]

Unless some come on the market for next season it might be that Hetherington gets a one year extension while those younger ones mature, could definitely use a bruising prop or two

 

[Loose Cannon]

The other thing about Sharpe is that as a “former” fullback, he’d be quite used to calling defensive structures etc, so the claims he never stops talking is a good indication he can transition.

 

[Knight Tales]

If Fletcher plays 7 next year then the meltdown from know it alls will be even bigger. The club has made the biggest and smartest move in its history. It has 1. Maximised our chances of signing KP for life 2. Minimised the impact of him leaving and 3. Allowed us the luxury of developing players who do not command huge salaries with quality playmakers to give them the ball. We do not have to spend big to compensate. At least that is the hope.

 

[Yosh]

Brown will continue on the left correct? Shouldn't we shift Sharpe to the right and Gamble can shift to the left when he returns?

 

[Zoidberg]

I think what people are missing with the 10 year thing is that he was already signed to the Eels until 2031. He was only ever going to leave for longer than that. We’ve signed him for allegedly 1.3 until 2033 (the club having a mutual option pretty much makes the last 2 years of the contract null and void IMO) where the Eels were already going to pay him 1.1 until 2031.

Please stop throwing those dates around. I already feel old enough.

 

[Zoidberg]

God I hope there is some other news story that comes up and takes focus off the Brown signing. I’m sick of seeing it.
Now O’brien has a “curious” response to being asked about it. He said he’s concentrating on 2025.
OMG who does this guy think he is?

All the comments on FB saying he is under pressure to make finals and Brad Arthur will be taking over soon. Why are people so dumb.

 

[perverse]

God I hope there is some other news story that comes up and takes focus off the Brown signing. I’m sick of seeing it.
Now O’brien has a “curious” response to being asked about it. He said he’s concentrating on 2025.
OMG who does this guy think he is?

All the comments on FB saying he is under pressure to make finals and Brad Arthur will be taking over soon. Why are people so dumb.

Most punters know literally nothing about us. Half the media didn't seem to know Sharpe was playing in the halves until they tuned in round 1.

 

[Alex28]

All the rubbish about the cap being ruined by the signing is laughable.

Gags and Friz finish up end of 26? We have guys like Can’t, McEwan, Hopgood and Vonato ready to come in and start first grade by then.

Cant wait for the reaction if we go out and get another big fish!

The cap is going to be fine. The hard work in the junior program is paying off. Now we have the experience and leadership around them. The future is looking great.

 

[mozza91]

ESL is another one too. He looks just as good as McEwan.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Brown will continue on the left correct? Shouldn't we shift Sharpe to the right and Gamble can shift to the left when he returns?

Dylan has played on both sides. From memory he played on the right in 2021 and then last year even when he was “moved back to five-eighth” they left him on the right (Moses’ side). As far as I can tell the side he’s on makes no real difference to how he performs.

Would lean towards leaving him on the right because you tend to want defensively stronger players there. But I’d imagine part of the appeal to the signing is that he’s flexible re: which side he will play on.