Newcastle Knights veteran forward Tyson Frizell is understood to be in talks with the Wests Tigers over extending his career into the 2027 NRL season.
Frizell, who has an option in his contract activated to remain in the Hunter for the 2026 season, is off-contract at the end of the campaign and unlikely to stay in Newcastle.
The salary cap has become a juggling act for Justin Holbrook's side. The coach admitted last week retaining Bradman Best beyond the end of next would be tricky, while they have also moved to extend some of their younger forwards, led by second-rowers Francis Manuleleua and Jermaine McEwen.
It means Frizell, who can play in the middle or on the edge and brings significant club and representative experience with him, is on the outside looking in and will likely not be a Knight in 2027.
It has emerged per ESPN that the Wests Tigers are a potential new home for the 34-year-old, who is eligible to play for Australia, Tonga and Wales, and will likely be part of the Tongan squad for the Rugby League World Cup that is to be played in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 15.
The Tigers too have looked to bring their forward pack into the next generation, with the likes of Samuela and Sione Fainu, and Fonua Pole leading the way throughout the course of the year.
The Tigers have done little in the way of recruitment for next year despite their on-field struggles, and another experienced voice in their middle third to add to the work of Alex Twal would be of major benefit to Benji Marshall, who will head into next season as one of the game's most under pressure coaches.
If Frizell does make the move to the joint-venture, it's likely the deal would only be for a single season as he heads towards the end of his career.
The former Shark and Dragon has 302 games under his belt at NRL level, and has been part of the Knights side since 2021, while he also has five Tests for Wales, three for Tonga, and fourteen for Australia.
