State of Origin forward Tyson Frizell is set to hand the Knights a huge boost as he closes in on an extension to stay in Newcastle.
Frizell, arguably the biggest name on the NRL player market without a deal for 2024, is on the cusp of agreeing to terms with the Knights despite the lure of several rivals, most notably Benji Marshall and the Tigers.
The 31-year-old’s former St George Illawarra teammate Marshall was trying to snare Frizell to the club he will take over coaching from 2025. Marshall is currently an assistant to Tim Sheens.
Frizell ended his Origin exile by being drafted into Brad Fittler’s team for the first two games of this year’s series, but was left out of the squad for Wednesday night’s season finale as the Blues look with an eye to the future.
The Knights announced last week back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon would leave the club at the end of the season, making Frizell’s retention an urgent priority.
According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity given the confidential talks, Frizell was in the final stages of sorting out a new Knights deal, which could potentially factor in post-career plans.
Tyson Frizell will stay at the Knights.Credit: Getty
It will be welcome news for the Knights, who are just three points outside the top eight and trying to make an improbable finals surge after a 66-0 thumping of the Bulldogs before a bye.
They will play the last-placed Tigers in Newcastle on Friday night and still have to face the Storm, Raiders, Rabbitohs and Sharks in the finals run-in.
Frizell has played 53 games for the Knights since arriving from the Dragons and has been one of their best performers this year, shouldering extra leadership responsibility during Kalyn Ponga’s concussion-enforced absence.
Speaking about his exit to the Super League, Fitzgibbon said: “It’s obviously hugely exciting for [my family]. It’s going to be a massive change and I definitely will miss Newcastle, the town, the fans, members and supporters in the community.
“It’s a decision I didn’t take lightly. I feel like I’m playing some good footy at the moment and my body is felling really good. I’ve got plenty of good years ahead of me. It’s always something I wanted to do.”
Meanwhile, the Sharks have told rivals they won’t accept any approach for back-up half Braydon Trindall despite the 23-year-old’s struggle for regular NRL game time behind Nicho Hynes and Matt Moylan.
Trindall remains under contract at Cronulla until the end of 2025.
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