Prop forward Leo Thompson to exit Knights after 2025 NRL season
The Newcastle Knights are facing a significant setback ahead of the Christmas break, with star prop forward Leo Thompson informing the club that he will not remain beyond the 2025 season.
Thompson, a New Zealand rugby league international, has been contemplating his future at Newcastle for months and recently informed club powerbrokers of his decision to reject a lucrative upgrade and extension offer.
Instead, he is weighing a big-money deal from the Canberra Raiders, while the Bulldogs have also expressed interest after meeting with the player.
Thompson, who became available for rival club offers on November 1, has been a key figure in Newcastle’s forward pack.
However, his departure would leave a void, particularly after fellow prop Daniel Saifiti was granted permission to join the Dolphins in 2026.
The Knights now face an uphill battle to fill their front-row stocks should they fail to retain Thompson, whose decision comes as a surprise given the recent signing of his identical twin brother, Tyrone.
Tyrone, a former Chiefs Super Rugby player, joined Newcastle in October on a development contract, with the club’s head of recruitment praising him as a “very gifted player.”
Thompson’s potential move is seen as a financial opportunity, with his next contract possibly doubling his current salary.
The Knights have just 10 days under NRL rules to convince the prop to reverse his decision, though such turnarounds are rare once players announce their intent to depart.
With the Raiders and Bulldogs circling, Newcastle’s retention plans face a critical test as they attempt to secure a replacement for 2026 and beyond.
Currently the top NRL bookmakers have Newcastle Knights priced as a $3.50 hope to secure a top 8 finish for the 2025 NRL season.