Rumoured Targets 3

[Mr_Knightside]

Shame we’re unlikely to retain KPP but we can’t pay overs so we’ll have to let him go if someone is throwing big money at him. I’ll back POS on this one.

Good to know what’s on our shopping list. A decent NRL quality prop is a must and should be priority #1

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Of the players off contract this year, Id be looking at:

(FYI these are players who would be on lower tier paypackets. Not looking at guys like Cobbo, Staggs, etc)

Back row - Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Jacob Host, Tom Fletcher, Preston Riki

Prop - Wiremu Greig, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Corey Jensen

Wing/Centre - Albert Hopoate, Semi Valemei, Blake Wilson, Aaron Schoupp, Viliami Vailea, Tommy Talau

 

[TooheysNew]

Yeah I'd heard Tigers as well.

 

[Yosh]

Of the players off contract this year, Id be looking at:

(FYI these are players who would be on lower tier paypackets. Not looking at guys like Cobbo, Staggs, etc)

Back row - Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Jacob Host, Tom Fletcher, Preston Riki

Prop - Wiremu Greig, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Corey Jensen

Wing/Centre - Albert Hopoate, Semi Valemei, Blake Wilson, Aaron Schoupp, Viliami Vailea, Tommy Talau

Can't say any of those names excite me...

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Can't say any of those names excite me...

TBF theyre not supposed to. They are budget players who can do a job

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Corey Jensen would be the best option of those props imo. Runs really hard and is no nonsense, would be a good partner for JSaf as a starter.

Of the outside backs I’d be looking at Albert Hopoate and Tommy Talau.

I have no idea what’s going on with RFM. The bloke has proven he can be a weapon at first grade level but seems to be on the outer at the Dragons. I feel like he’d be a good get.

 

[Old dog]

KPP leaving makes it more important to sign Frizell (MO).
Also think Gagai is signed for 2026 with MO for 27. Both of them for 26 gives our players like McEwen, Manuleleua, ESL, McCarthy, Votano and Hunt time to develop.
Still need to sign at least 1 if not 2 strong props

 

[Frederick]

KPP leaving makes it more important to sign Frizell (MO).
Also think Gagai is signed for 2026 with MO for 27. Both of them for 26 gives our players like McEwen, Manuleleua, ESL, McCarthy, Votano and Hunt time to develop.
Still need to sign at least 1 if not 2 strong props

MO = massive overs? Sounds like something we'd do

 

[Woody90]

Shame about KPP as we’re already short in the back row now and he does a solid job but we’ve already overpaid him and I don’t think we can complete with a “big” offer. I think offering him a new contract but reduced, understanding he’ll probably go to a higher bidder is fair.

If it’s a big offer the clubs I could think of would be Canberra, Tigers, Dragons, maybe Eels or Souths. I couldn’t see one of the top teams paying big money for him but lower teams like us do have the shit team tax.

If Frizz holds out another year while McEwan develops we’ll be OK. If we’re stuck with the likes of Tom Cant as first choice we’re f**ked.

 

[Knight Tales]

HB, Sharpe to FB, Ponga walks out the door to the Roosters, Team gets younger and gains that extra 1.2-1.4 back to fill the forward pack.

I am less convinced KP goes to the Roosters. Perth maybe. The Warriors even. But he could just be ready to sign a life deal here and bank on Fletcher and Dylan to help him win his title.

 

[Woody90]

I don’t think Ponga is as obsessed with winning a comp as everyone assumes.

If he did he would have taken a pay cut and gone to a good team in 2022, not stayed at a bottom 4 one for the $$$$. He voluntarily made that choice knowing that his massive salary would likely impact on who we could have around him. People act like he’s forced to be here against his will.

Im actually pretty confident he’ll end up staying for some ridiculous $$$$ extension which will hurt us a lot more than Ponga (unless he can go to NZ rugby or something).

FTR KP’s my favourite player when he’s putting in and I’d love to keep him if he’d be committed every game, but we’re not consistently getting that now. He wouldn’t be a good ROI on what I suspect we’ll offer him next contract.

 

[Woody90]

TBF theyre not supposed to. They are budget players who can do a job

Which is perfect for the front row IMO.

For the outside back signing I’m still confident it will be Dom. He wants to come so I’m sure they’ll het something done when the Roosters stop throwing their toys out of the cot.

 

[Knight Tales]

We are losing Leo and Kai but are still yet to even hint at a replacement. It feels very much like the Dolphins’ keep fishing till you land one approach, that Sully employed.

 

[PhilGould]

Newcastle and the Melbourne Storm are locked in a battle to sign one of the best young forwards in the game.

Gold Coast Titans prop Josiah Pahulu, who made 19 appearances for the Titans last season and has appeared in two games this year, has already visited with the Knights and toured their facilities.

He is expected to do the same with the Storm as he looks to secure a long-term deal away from the Gold Coast next year.

Pahulu was a fixture in the Titans side last year but fell out with key officials after they rested him for the last game of the season, costing him the opportunity to earn a bonus payment for making 20 appearances.

The Titans have been unable to convince him to stay and Pahulu looks set to make a decision between the Knights and the Storm. The Storm, in particular, may be on the lookout for middles given they are yet to reach a deal with Tui Kamikamica for next season.

Kamikamica has an option in his deal for 2026 and it is understood rival clubs are keeping an eye on his situation as they weigh up making a move for the Fijian international should he fail to agree fresh terms with the Storm.

--

Newcastle back rower Tyson Frizell has appeared on the radar of rival clubs as his future remains up in the air.

Frizell has a mutual option in his contract with the Knights for next season that doesn’t need to be exercised until the back end of June.

It means the former NSW and Australian forward is technically a free agent at the end of the season.

Sports Confidential understands that some clubs have been made aware that Frizell’s future is yet to be determined to gauge their interest in making a move for the 33-year-old.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/sport-confidential-brandon-smith-trains-with-rabbitohs-for-first-time-south-sydney-heap-up-pressure-to-move-back-to-allianz-stadium/news-story/14508758cd9fe01894438f7999570ae6?amp

 

[Woody90]

Pahulu’s a good target. Cant see any reason he’d want to come here over Storm though.

 

[Apey]

Pahulu’s a good target. Cant see any reason he’d want to come here over Storm though.

Especially as a prop, Bellamy has the best resume in that department. Not sure what we can offer.

 

[Old dog]

We need Frizell for his experience

 

[Yosh]

Pahulu’s a good target. Cant see any reason he’d want to come here over Storm though.

We probably give him a 8 year 700k a year deal.

 

[Nuke]

Wonder who wants KPP. Good luck to him, he's way overpaid here and a better coach and team might be able to make something of him.

Not that they'd have the money, but I reckon Dogs. Last year and maybe earlier this year (?) on several occasions, I've heard Phil Gould give him a big wrap on his potential, and immediately I felt he would be making an approach first chance he could get. Especially if Gus can convince KPP that he knows how to get the best out of him.

 

[Knight Tales]

Titans have really made a mess of it with this young lad. The Storm will be difficult to knock back. I doubt Frizz moves unless someone offers him a lot of money.