This past season has seen Englishman and former Super League youngster Dom Young shine in the NRL and it’s arguable that his success from last year helped prompt the NRL moves for Huddersfield Giants’ Will Pryce and Wigan Warriors’ Kai Pearce-Paul, both who will join Newcastle Knights.
Young has starred for the Knights and even broke their all time single season try scoring record this year however he is destined for Sydney Roosters for 2024, where his brother Alex will join him.
The move to the Roosters was confirmed months ago however at the Knights’ presentation evening last night it was confirmed which players would not feature for them in 2024, Young being one of ten in the current squad.
Among the others include two Super League bound players with Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Lachlan Miller both set for the northern hemisphere in 2024.
Fitzgibbon will be another big NRL addition to Warrington’s pack whilst Miller will join Leeds Rhinos in an attempt to rebuild their spine following the exit of Blake Austin, and presumed exit of Aiden Sezer.
Adam Clune is another to depart the Knights and there are strong rumours that he is heading to Huddersfield, with former Huddersfield man Jack Cogger set to replace him in the Newcastle set up.
One name that will catch the attention of Super League sides in the Knights’ out of contract list is Bailey Hodgson, nephew of recently retired former England international Josh.
Hodgson joined the Knights in 2021 having debuted in Super League for Castleford aged 18 during the 2020 season.
He turned 21 yesterday and whilst he’s yet to have NRL playing experience, he did feature in the pre-season and has had a year of training at an NRL level under one of the game’s best full-backs in Kalyn Ponga, and Leeds-bound Lachlan Miller.
Without a club he could look back to Super League and there’ll likely be plenty of suitors for a young English full-back who would presumably be available on an affordable contract.
Hodgson found himself injured during the pre season friendly that he featured in and couldn’t force his way into the side after that, and with the Knights now playing playoff football it’s assumed he won’t feature for them.
