Mat Croker will not be making the move from the NRL to Super League in the off-season. The forward had been linked with a switch to the Northern Hemisphere with reports claiming Castleford Tigers had shown an interest after being made away of his availability.
The expectation was that Croker would be allowed to leave Newcastle Knights without the offer of a new deal despite playing 16 times for the NRL club last season, with a try coming in a defeat to Brisbane Broncos.
However, the Knights have now confirmed that Croker has in fact penned a new deal with the club to tie him down for the 2025 campaign. The 25-year-old will feel as though he still has plenty to give in the NRL, with a Super League move potentially being put on ice for 12 months at least.
“We are pleased Mat has extended his stay with the Knights,“ the Knights director of football Peter Parr said.
“He has played some of his best football this year. Mat is an integral part of the team and a major contributor both on and off the field.
“We are delighted that someone of his quality is remaining at the club.”
It means Castleford Tigers will have to look elsewhere in order to add to their squad, with Craig Lingard’s side seemingly on a recruitment push down under. The club have already secured Zac Cini, but they have been heavily linked with a move for Daejarn Asi, too, as they look to add star power to their squad for 2025.
In order to make room for overseas recruits, it seems Castleford will have to make changes, with half-back Jacob Miller, who has struggled for form this season, said to be one man the club are willing to part ways with. Miller has been with the Tigers since joining from Wakefield Trinity ahead of the 2023 campaign.
