Favourites drop out as Roosters enter race for Leo Thompson
He has yet to confirm his future beyond next season.
Ethan Lee Chalk
Currently involved in a five-way battle for the signature of New Zealand international Leo Thompson, another team has reportedly entered the race to secure his services.
One of Newcastle’s best in 2024, Thompson has been a bright light for the club since making his club debut in 2022 and has shown in only 64 matches that he will be one of the competition’s best forwards in the coming seasons.
His great form saw him called up to the New Zealand Kiwis for last year’s end-of-year Pacific Championships, where they defeated Australia in the Final and he would regain that spot in the national team this year.
Over the past few months, the front-rower has been weighing up his options as he remains uncontracted beyond next season and is one of the best available players who is free to speak and negotiate with rival teams.
Having already met with the Canberra Raiders and Canterbury Bulldogs and being linked with The Dolphins and Parramatta Eels, Thompson caught the interest of the St George Illawarra Dragons earlier in the week, per The Newcastle Herald.
Whilst the Raiders and Bulldogs were considered the frontrunners over the past fortnight, conflicting reports from Wide World of Sports indicate that Canterbury has now pulled out at the same time the Sydney Roosters have become the ‘dark horse’ for his signature.
Only on a reported salary of $350,000 per season, the front-rower is set to be handed a massive payday with his next contract, but his destination beyond 2025 has yet to be confirmed.
Thompson’s situation regarding his future at the Knights is even more complicated next season, as his brother Tyrone Thompson will join the club on a development contract for the 2025 NRL season.
Thompson isn’t the only player at the Knights who is free to speak and negotiate with rival teams.
