One of the Knights’ most promising young forwards has been linked with a move to the nation’s capital when he hits free agency on November 1.
Having already attracted interest from the Bulldogs, Leo Thompson, who is off contract at the end of 2025, has been linked with a move to Canberra.
That is according to the SMH’s Adrian Proszenko, who told 1170 SEN’s NRL Crunch Time recently that the Raiders are showing interesting in the New Zealand international.
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Thompson, 24, is on a deal worth $350,000 next season but could demand well in excess of that figure given his age, skill and the lack of elite front rowers available on the market.
In 23 games this season Thompson averaged 91 metres and 29 tackles, the most of his young NRL career.
Newcastle recently tabled the prop a two-year extension on an upgraded pay packet, but it’s expected the 24-year-old will test the open market.
While Canterbury would have appeal to Thompson given their meteoric rise in 2024 and their potential next season, a move to Canberra could be more appealing given he played for the club’s Jersey Flegg teams in 2020 and 2021.
Thompson’s brother Tyrone Thompson is set to join the Knights next year from rugby union, in a move that could complicate his brother’s exit from the Hunter.
HUNT LINKED WITH SHOCK SYDNEY SWITCH
Weeks after his brutal end of season reviewed sparked exit rumours, Dragons skipper Ben Hunt has been linked with a sensational move to a resurgent Sydney club.
According to the SMH’s Adrian Proszenko, who told SEN’s NRL Crunch Time he believes Hunt may find himself in the blue and white of the Bulldogs next season.
While the Maroons star has been linked with a return to Queensland with the Gold Coast Titans, Proszenko “wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Dogs have a look at him as well.”
Reports emerged earlier in the season that Hunt had requested a move away from the Red V, but the club repaired their relationship with their star halfback to the point he was on the brink of inking an extension.
However, following his brutal end of season baking from coach Shane Flanagan it’s believed Hunt’s relationship with the Dragons has soured to breaking point.
“I’m hearing he’s unlikely to be there next year,” Proszenko said.
Canterbury have been one of the stories of the season, rebounding from the bottom of the ladder to charge to their first finals series since 2016.
At the heart of their resurgence was halfback Toby Sexton, who began the season in NSW Cup before being brought into the first grade fold mid-season.
In 16 appearances with Canterbury’s No.7 on his back, Sexton won 10 games and formed an effective combination with Stephen Crichton, Jacob Preston and Connor Tracey down the Bulldogs’ right edge.
Proszenko noted Sexton “has done a magnificent job” this season, but feels Canterbury’s poor form in the final weeks of the season indicated an upgrade at halfback might be exactly what Cameron Ciraldo’s side needs to take them to the next level.
“But if you look at that last game, I think that was a bit of a wake-up call to some of the club where it’s a game that they dominated (and) if they had an experienced guy like Ben Hunt, potentially that might have been the difference and just got them over the line against Manly,” he said.
An important caveat is that the Bulldogs have one of the most promising young halfbacks in all of rugby league on their books in 18-year-old Mitchell Woods.
Many at the club feel Woods is their long-term halfback and he will join their Top 30 from next season, meaning an halfback Canterbury sign in the coming seasons will simply be a segue to Woods.
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A fresh team has reportedly entered the race for former Eels and Blues prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
There have been no shortage of clubs who have at least shown interest in Campbell-Gillard, with a Sydney team expected to win the prop’s services.
However, an interstate club has rocketed into favouritism, with the Gold Coast Titans reportedly keen on signing the experience front rower.
That’s according to veteran journalist Neil Breen, who broke the news Sunday on 2GB radio.
Breen revealed that Campbell-Gillard is looking for job security and that was a reason he left the Eels, with Parramatta only willing to keep him on their books until the end of 2025.
“2025 was the last year of his deal. He wants to get a deal that takes him forward,” Breen explained.
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“It’s similar to what will end up happening with Ben Hunt. He comes into his last year next year, but if someone else comes at him with a two or three-year deal, it gives him longer in the game.
“That’s what Reagan Campbell-Gillard wanted. He rejected the St George-Illawarra Dragons, we saw those reports (Shane Flanagan) was filthy about it and felt misled.
“But the team most likely, and there’s nothing official yet, is the Gold Coast Titans. He’s the sort of player Des (Hasler) likes – Des likes old school forwards.”
Campbell-Gillard was one of the only players to feature in all 24 games this season for Parramatta.
He was a consistent mainstay in a team that struggled mightily this season, proving he will have plenty to offer wherever he goes.
In addition to the Titans, the Dragons, Bulldogs, Cowboys and Broncos have also shown interest.
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