Why Reynolds rejected Wests Tigers, and an extra $1 million
'But with a wife and four young kids, and being away from them for the best part of two years, I just couldn't do it to them. No amount of money could have changed my mind. I read reports I was giving up $1m by wanting to stay with Brisbane, and it probably wasn't far off.
'But I love Brisbane, I've been on this journey with the boys here the past four years, and we've got some unfinished business.'
Reynolds is keen to move into coaching once he retires, and that is a genuine option should he stay at Red Hill.
Young helped beat the Knights on Saturday. Now they're his new team
Robert Dillon
England international Dominic Young is confident he will be a better fit on the end of Newcastle's backline than he was during his season-and-a-half at the Sydney Roosters.
Barely 48 hours after he helped the Roosters to a 12-8 win in Newcastle, Young's return to the Knights is expected to be confirmed on Monday, and he is set to be rushed into their team to face the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday.
The towering winger initially joined the Roosters last year on a four-season deal, after a three-year stint at Newcastle that delivered 43 tries in 51 NRL games, including a club-record 25 in the 2023 season.
Despite crossing the stripe 26 times in 31 games for the Roosters, he found himself superseded by the emergence of Mark Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia as a right-edge strike force.
When he was dropped to NSW Cup two months ago, the Knights were quick to offer him a lifeline.
After a stand-off over how much each club would contribute towards the balance of his salary for this year, he is returning to Newcastle until at least the end of 2027.
The 23-year-old had mixed emotions about the move but was no doubt that it is in his best interests.
'I think the thing for me is I need to be playing every week,' Young said. 'That's what I prioritise, and I guess a couple of other things as well.
'But yeah, it'll be a big year for me this year. I've got a lot of goals I want to achieve.
'The main way for me to do that is to be on the field. If I get the opportunity to do that in Newcastle, that suits me a bit more.
'I think with the playing style and the players I've played with in Newcastle, maybe that suits me a little bit more as well. So, yeah, just looking forward to that. I did really enjoy my time here.'
Young was worshipped by Newcastle fans for his prolific 2023 campaign, which culminated in him scoring a double against Canberra in a home play-off, as a sold-out crowd of 29,548 went ballistic.
'That roar [after his tries], it was pretty cool,' Young recalled. 'But, yeah, I've always appreciated the love and the support from the fans since I got here.
'It's always been something that's stuck with me. Even during my time at the Roosters, I still hear from a lot of Knights fans. So it's always been a special place.
'It's always kind of the first place, my first NRL team there. And I know it's always going to hold that place in my heart.'
Young admitted it was 'a weird one' preparing to play against the Knights, knowing that within days they would again be his teammates.
'It was important for me to kind of finish on a high and get the win,' he said. 'Yeah, I definitely wanted the two points.'
Young might not have signed off with a trademark try, but his Roosters swansong was a solid performance, making 164 attacking metres from 15 carries, though Newcastle did score their try down his edge.
'Every time I put the Roosters jersey on, I'm going to give it my all,' he said.
'That's what I've done ever since I've joined here. So, yeah, it was important for me to put my best foot forward, regardless of everything going on outside. And I thought I did that and got the win.'
While Young's release has not been publicly confirmed, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: 'It's pretty clear he's going to be up here [in Newcastle] on Monday'.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Young would 'absolutely' be welcomed back, by both his former teammates and supporters.
'We didn't want him to leave in the first place,' O'Brien said.
'Maybe next week you're talking about maybe selecting him. He's available for selection.'
Veteran centre Dane Gagai is expected to renew his previously lethal partnership with Young.
'If he comes here, like 'Adsy' [O'Brien] said, we'll welcome him with open arms,' Gagai said.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'I'm grateful': Exiled Knight vows to make amends after breaking his silence on Newcastle deal
JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."
Sydney Morning Herald
15 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trbojevic shift, players dropped: Manly coach has two games to prove he can turn club around
'Seibs understands this as well as I do, it's all about winning games. Seibs is safe at this point.' Sources told this masthead that Lachlan Croker and Jason Saab could spend time in NSW Cup this week despite Manly having the bye. The major talking point out of Seibold's meetings is the expected shift of Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centre to accommodate the return of Lehi Hopoate, who missed the loss against the Gold Coast Titans after picking up a concussion the previous week. 'As a club we know the last two losses have been unacceptable,' Mestrov said. 'As a club we're going to turn this around. We have a bye this week and two games at home. There's no better way to get the season back on track against the Tigers and Souths. We've just got to do better. It's as simple as that. We're all in this together as a club.' Mestrov admitted he had met with Seibold but insisted it was nothing out of the ordinary. Mestrov's contract with Manly was recently extended through to the end of 2027 but is believed to include a six-month pay-out. 'We chat after every game,' Mestrov said. 'There's no crisis meeting or anything like that. We just spoke about how we can turn it around. I felt like I could give advice and he could give me advice. We've got a good relationship. As a club we've got to turn it around. It was constructive conversation about how we can turn our season around.' Manly last month begun conversations with the management of Jake and Tom Trbojevic about extending their respective careers on the Northern Beaches before they hit the open market on November 1. The brothers are contracted until the end of 2026, but Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov has personally opened talks with their manager to begin working on a deal to keep both as one-club players. Young gun Hopoate, who recently extended his Manly deal until the end of 2027, is seen as the long-term successor to Tom at fullback having impressed in Tom's absence due to injury. A move to five-eighth for Tom was previously touted, but the arrival of Jamal Fogarty next season has placed a question mark over such a shift given the Sea Eagles also have Luke Brooks on their books. The decision to move Trbojevic to centre will only further add to Manly's conundrum on what he is worth and how long to extend him for. Loading Tom is in no rush to decide his future, nor does he want Manly to feel obliged to make him an offer as a mark of respect for what he has done for the club. Trbojevic does not want to play against Manly and has told those close to him he would be open to a move to the Super League in 2027 if it was in the Sea Eagles' best interest for him to leave the club.
The Age
15 hours ago
- The Age
Trbojevic shift, players dropped: Manly coach has two games to prove he can turn club around
'Seibs understands this as well as I do, it's all about winning games. Seibs is safe at this point.' Sources told this masthead that Lachlan Croker and Jason Saab could spend time in NSW Cup this week despite Manly having the bye. The major talking point out of Seibold's meetings is the expected shift of Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centre to accommodate the return of Lehi Hopoate, who missed the loss against the Gold Coast Titans after picking up a concussion the previous week. 'As a club we know the last two losses have been unacceptable,' Mestrov said. 'As a club we're going to turn this around. We have a bye this week and two games at home. There's no better way to get the season back on track against the Tigers and Souths. We've just got to do better. It's as simple as that. We're all in this together as a club.' Mestrov admitted he had met with Seibold but insisted it was nothing out of the ordinary. Mestrov's contract with Manly was recently extended through to the end of 2027 but is believed to include a six-month pay-out. 'We chat after every game,' Mestrov said. 'There's no crisis meeting or anything like that. We just spoke about how we can turn it around. I felt like I could give advice and he could give me advice. We've got a good relationship. As a club we've got to turn it around. It was constructive conversation about how we can turn our season around.' Manly last month begun conversations with the management of Jake and Tom Trbojevic about extending their respective careers on the Northern Beaches before they hit the open market on November 1. The brothers are contracted until the end of 2026, but Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov has personally opened talks with their manager to begin working on a deal to keep both as one-club players. Young gun Hopoate, who recently extended his Manly deal until the end of 2027, is seen as the long-term successor to Tom at fullback having impressed in Tom's absence due to injury. A move to five-eighth for Tom was previously touted, but the arrival of Jamal Fogarty next season has placed a question mark over such a shift given the Sea Eagles also have Luke Brooks on their books. The decision to move Trbojevic to centre will only further add to Manly's conundrum on what he is worth and how long to extend him for. Loading Tom is in no rush to decide his future, nor does he want Manly to feel obliged to make him an offer as a mark of respect for what he has done for the club. Trbojevic does not want to play against Manly and has told those close to him he would be open to a move to the Super League in 2027 if it was in the Sea Eagles' best interest for him to leave the club.
