Knights chasing Garrick, will use Manly star to pull off Ponga shuffle

Reuben Garrick is target number one for the Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2023 NRL season, with coach Adam O’Brien planning to plug the Manly star in at fullback to facilitate a position reshuffle that will get out and out game-breaker Kalyn Ponga on the ball more often.

The 25-year-old would take Ponga’s spot in the Knights’ rearguard, while Ponga himself would shift into the halves and play five-eighth. Who his halfback partner would be is still up in the air.

There’s a catch though: Newcastle is only interested if Garrick joins in 2023.

Garrick, who often deputises injury-riddled 2021 Dally M winner Tom Trbojevic at fullback, will be free to talk to NRL suitors from November 1 for the 2024 season and beyond, but the Knights don’t want to wait that long. The Sporting Base has heard the club has already contacted Manly to negotiate an early release for their top target.

The urgency comes in part due to Tex Hoy’s departure, and O’Brien’s worry his head is on the block—the Knights need instant results right now and can’t afford another floundering NRL season.

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If the Knights don’t scoop Garrick up a year early, the winger-come-fullback will be hot property from November 1. The Gerringong junior has played 91 games for Manly since joining in 2019—he originally pushed for a St George Illawarra starting spot but was knocked back—and became the first player to score 300 points in a season in 2021.

Though the 25-year-old is usually employed by Manly as a winger outside Trbojevic, regular issues with the famous Turbo brother have seen Garrick step into as fullback for major stints, and thrive.

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He will command fullback money if he moves on from the Sea Eagles, and it is understood that his desire to play fullback could be a weighty factor for his release—Manly powerbrokers don’t want to stand in his way of earning a bigger contract and a no.1 starting job.

Manly is expected to use Tolu Koula at fullback if Trbojevic is injured.

The NRL challengers have had a bumpy last 12 months which culminated in the sacking of veteran coach Des Hasler. Incoming boss Anthony Seibold will take the club through a light roster reshuffle.

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