After his Pacific Championship responsibilities with New Zealand are done, Newcastle Knights prop Leo Thompson has set a deadline for making a decision about his future.Thompson has already played 64 games in the NRL, but his future has recently been questioned.
According to reports, the New Zealand representative was worried about the prop’s lack of experience with the Knights and had called to test the open market starting on November 1 as early as September.
In addition to releasing Daniel Saifiti to the Dolphins, Adam O’Brien’s team has reportedly tapped a number of other players on the shoulder, including Jackson Hastings, Adam Elliott, and Jayden Brailey. These three players are among a number of others who may be expected to depart the team before the end of 2025.
Although Thompson expressed reluctance to remain with the Hunter-based group, the prop is still considering an offer that has been improved since it was first made.
Thompson stated in an interview with The Newcastle Herald that he hopes to have a decision regarding his future decided by the beginning of the 2025 campaign.
I’m hoping it gets sorted before the start of next season so I can just fully focus on that season,” Thompson said to the magazine.
I’ve kind of put all of that on hold since I’ve been in camp. I’ve been totally focused on this.
Tyrone Thompson, his brother, was also signed by the Knights, but Leo stated that this did not imply that he would want to remain in Newcastle.
I hope he makes his Knights debut and we can get some games together, Thompson said.
My brother is ultimately his own man, even if I would love to play with him. I want him to build something using his own name.
Since there is a dearth of medium forward talent and other teams may be interested, Thompson’s signature is expected to be among the most sought-after on the open market.
The Parramatta Eels have yet to replace Reagan Campbell-Gillard and were linked to a since-rejected bid for Paul Vaughan over the weekend. Meanwhile, the St George Illawarra Dragons, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Wests Tigers have all supposedly been linked to a number of players but failed to sign them.