Newcastle Knights veteran Tyson Frizell has revealed he will make a crucial decision about his playing career midway through the 2026 NRL season, potentially bringing an end to his remarkable 16-year tenure in the top flight.
Veteran Forward Eyes 300-Game Milestone
The 34-year-old forward is preparing for his 16th consecutive NRL campaign, having already amassed 281 first-grade appearances. If he maintains his recent playing schedule, Frizell is on track to reach the prestigious 300-game milestone in 2026.
Despite being off-contract and turning 35 next year, Frizell remains hopeful of extending his career into 2027. He acknowledged, however, that the emergence of young talent at the Knights will be a factor in his decision.
"I'm not too sure yet," Frizell said regarding his future. "We'll have to see how we get through. If it is [my last season], well so be it. I'm still looking to play on for as long as I can... I'll get through the year and hopefully towards the back end, maybe the middle of the year, make a decision on what happens."
Remarkable Durability and a New Role
Frizell's longevity is underscored by an incredible record of durability. Excluding his debut season in 2011, he has averaged 20 NRL games per season over the past 14 years. In 2025, he missed just one game, playing 23 times.
The 2024 season also saw a positional shift for the veteran, who retired from representative football after 22 Tests for Australia and 16 State of Origin games for NSW. He moved from his traditional edge back-row role to play more minutes through the middle of the field.
"I'm feeling good," Frizell stated. "Same as always, you enjoy this time of the year. It is definitely tough, but it's what your season is built on... At the back end of my career, there's a lot of young kids coming through keeping me on my toes. The day I stop enjoying it, is the day I give it up."
Mentorship and Contract Landscape
Speaking during a community visit to Hamilton South Public School, Frizell embraced his role as a mentor to Newcastle's emerging players but stressed his own hunger to perform remains undiminished.
"It's a role that I've grown into and I guess I am that leader at the moment, the older guy," he said. "But I'm the same as them... I'm looking to work hard and get myself in the team every week, and hopefully be a good role model."
Frizell is one of several Knights players entering the final year of their contracts, a list that includes Dane Gagai, Brodie Jones, Tyson Gamble, Greg Marzhew, and Tom Cant. Knights CEO Peter Parr indicated the club would likely wait until part-way through 2026 before making retention moves.
This situation could attract interest from the incoming Perth Bears franchise, though Frizell expressed excitement about working under new Knights head coach Justin Holbrook, describing his calm demeanour as a "breath of fresh air."
"Justin is a lot more calmer... and just goes about his work," Frizell observed. "He puts a lot of responsibility on us as players... It's a learning curve for all of us, it makes for an exciting 2026."
