Newcastle Knights stalwart Tyson Frizell is embracing his 16th pre-season with the same vigour as his first, openly discussing the timeline for a decision on his playing future beyond the 2026 NRL campaign.
Veteran's Future Hinges on Body and Mind
The 34-year-old forward, who has played 281 first-grade games, signed a one-year extension in August last year. He is now just 19 matches away from entering the prestigious 300-game club. Frizell indicated he will likely determine whether to continue his career – potentially in the English Super League – or retire around the middle of the 2026 season.
"Towards the back end of the year, the body will know and the mind will know if it is time to give it up or keep going," Frizell said at the launch of a Knights partnership with Charlestown Square. "Whether that is here or overseas, I'm not sure." He emphasised his current focus is solely on a strong start for the Knights, stating he feels "really invested in this season."
A Fresh Feel Under Holbrook
Frizell spoke positively about the new environment at the club following the appointment of head coach Justin Holbrook. After a disastrous 2025 season that resulted in the wooden spoon, Holbrook has implemented a new, up-tempo attacking style.
"There is a fresh feel at the club," Frizell acknowledged. "We want to play a new style of footy." He confirmed that while pre-season training under the new coaching and performance staff had a familiar gruelling nature, the squad was working hard to build combinations and adapt to the revised game plan.
On the positional front, Frizell expects to spend most of his time in the middle forward role, where he found form late last season, despite taking some training reps in the back-row.
Ponga's Progress and Spine Decisions
Providing an update on captain Kalyn Ponga, Frizell delivered encouraging news regarding the star fullback's recovery from a foot injury. Ponga has been in a CAM Boot for much of the pre-season but is now back running.
"Kalyn is on track to play round one," Frizell confirmed. "He has started running. He is not doing field sessions yet. That might be a week or two away."
The composition of the Knights' spine, however, remains deliberately unresolved. Frizell revealed that Dylan Brown, Fletcher Sharpe, and Sandon Smith have all trained in the halves, with Smith also spending time at hooker. Phoenix Crossland has been switching between hooker and lock.
"There hasn't been one training session where those positions have been locked in," Frizell said. "It is up in the air still." He suggested the upcoming trials against St George Illawarra (February 7) and Canterbury (February 14) would be used for experimentation before their Round 1 clash with the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas on March 1.
Frizell concluded by stressing the squad's collective focus on improvement, stating there is "plenty of work to be done" to ensure they are "right and ready to go for round one."
