Tyson Frizell remains unsigned at Newcastle, but he is hopeful of playing on next year. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Tyson Frizell insists he still has enough in the tank for a 17th season in the NRL, with the Newcastle veteran hopeful the door remains open to stay at the Knights.
Frizell’s experience and versatility has already shone through in this year’s finals, after being moved to start in the front row for the upset win over South Sydney.
He is expected to remain there in Sunday’s semi-final against the Warriors, with Newcastle missing the suspended Jacob Saifiti and injured Trey Mooney.
Some 16 years into his NRL career, Tyson Frizell still has the ability to prove a handful. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
At age 34, Frizell remains one of the biggest names in the NRL without a contract for next year.
There is still some possibility he gets a new deal at Newcastle, while Wests Tigers and a mystery third club have also made enquiries. A move overseas is also possible.
“I do want to play next year but we’re in a position now where finals footy is probably not a great time to sort out a contract,” Frizell said.
“I gave the club every opportunity to see what they can do.
“If it is (the last year at Newcastle), it is what it is. I’ve loved my time here. But I don’t know just yet. There’s still a door open.
“Whether they can make it work, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Tyson Frizell has played on many of the game’s biggest stages. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Frizell is in unchartered waters being without a deal this late in a season, with previous career moves at Cronulla and St George Illawarra wrapped up well in advance.
But given his 303 games of NRL experience, the former NSW and Australian representative said it was in no ways a distraction in finals.
“I understand with my age and the club needs to look after their top-line players. Obviously you just sort of see where you fit at the end,” Frizell said.
“I’ve got a few opportunities that are there waiting for me. But I’ll wait until the end of the year until I make a decision.
“If nothing comes through at the end of the year, I’ve had a great career.
“But fingers crossed I can go on well into the finals and then I’m sure something will be either here or overseas.”
Frizell will carry almost triple the amount of experience of any other Newcastle front or backrower into Sunday’s semi-final, even if Dylan Lucas returns from injury.
Francis Manuleleua is among Newcastle’s young guns to have stepped up for the finals. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Making Newcastle’s run from last year’s wooden spoon even more impressive is that forwards Cody Hopwood, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Harrison Graham, Lachlan Crouch and Thomas Cant all played their first NRL final on Friday.
And while the young pack impressed and McEwen had the best game of his career, Frizell is still going 11 years after his first finals match.
“I think you realise how hard it is to get there. Everyone’s got a different journey in their footy career,” he said.
“Mine hasn’t been that easy to get to finals footy. So you don’t want to let any opportunity slip away. There’s kids here that don’t realise what they’ve been given.
“It’s a good thing in saying that. They don’t fear anything. They just go after it.”