One week after the Newcastle Knights made their first Grand Final in 25 years, the club released a statement confirming that their Head of Recruitment, Peter O’Sullivan, will leave the role.
After helping the Dolphins establish their roster for the first two seasons and beyond, O’Sullivan left the club to take up a challenging opportunity with Newcastle.
He signed with the Knights until the end of the 2029 season on reportedly $350,000 per season.
The Knights were looking for someone to start a roster overhaul as the club had roster flexibility for the 2026 season and beyond.
On Friday, News Corp reported that O’Sullivan agreed to a five-year deal with the Brisbane Broncos to become their next Head of Recruitment.
O’Sullivan was also being hunted by the Eels, but instead will take up the opportunity with the Broncos, who won the 2025 Grand Final.
With two and a half decades of experience, O’Sullivan has a massive challenge ahead with the Broncos, who are desperate for change after failing to make the finals with almost the same roster from their premiership-winning season.
The Knights released a two-sentence statement, confirming O’Sullivan will leave the club immediately.
“The nib Newcastle Knights have been advised by Head of Recruitment Peter O’Sullivan that he will be departing the Club. The Club thanks Peter for his services.”
Out of the top eight teams from this past season, O’Sullivan helped the Warriors, Knights, Dolphins and Roosters sign over 40 players who featured this season.
From the Knights, he helped land Dylan Brown on the 10-year, $14 million deal, Sandon Smith, Francis Manuleleua, Cody Hopwood, Harrison Graham, Lachlan Crouch, Pasami Saulo, Thomas Cant, Fletcher Hunt, Toby Winter, Dominic Young, who was lured back from the Roosters during the 2025 season, and Trey Mooney.
From the Roosters, he helped sign Daniel Tupou, Lindsay Collins, Victor Radley, Connor Watson, Nat Butcher, Egan Butcher, and Angus Crichton.
When he helped Wayne Bennett build the Dolphins, they secured Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Connelly Lemuelu, and Tevita Naufahu.
O’Sullivan also helped the Warriors sign Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima, Wayde Egan, Jacob Laban, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Luke Metcalf, Demitric Vaimauga, and Adam Pompey.
When O’Sullivan joins the Broncos, his primary focus will be on the Broncos NRL roster and overseeing their top 30 squad.