Canberra Raiders shut down Knights approach for forward duo….
It turns out the report comes from Raidercast, who noted Canberra “shut down Knights approach for forward duo” during the transfer window .
Knights interest blocked: Newcastle were reportedly eyeing two forwards currently linked to Canberra’s recruitment—but both players ended up re-signing with the Raiders, effectively shutting Newcastle out.
Focus on depth and retention: Canberra’s strategy under Ricky Stuart appears to prioritise retaining front‑line talent rather than poaching from rivals. The forward duo in question likely includes hierarchy pieces such as Zac Hosking and Simi Sasagi, who have both been instrumental for the Raiders (Hosking for ball-carrying and defensive reliability; Sasagi was signed from Newcastle last season and has since extended his stay) .
Recruitment control: By denying Newcastle’s attempts, Canberra strengthens its own squad while disrupting rebuilding plans at a rival club.
Continuity in the pack: Keeping players like Sasagi (recently extended) and Hosking ensures stability in their middle — a priority given their form.
Power balance in the NRL: This move reinforces Canberra’s growing forward depth, while Newcastle may struggle to restock after recent player exits.
If you’d like to dig deeper into who specifically Newcastle targeted, or how this fits into broader NRL transfer trends, I can look into more detailed sources or player contract timelines. Want me to?
