Kalyn Ponga detail could see Knights lose young gun as Souths set to snare halfback from Tigers

The Newcastle Knights could be set to release emerging talent Connor Votano with the 18-year-old sitting behind Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe in the pecking order, while Wayne Bennett is making moves at the Rabbitohs. While the Knights may have been searching for a consistent halves combination in 2024, they certainly were not short on star fullbacks throughout the season.

Ponga, the highest-paid player in the NRL on $1.4 million a season, is considered by many as the best fullback in the game on his day. The No.1 is the leader of the Knights team and is set to hold down the fullback role for many years to come.

This saw the talented Sharpe bide his time and fill-in for Ponga when the No.1 was injured in 2024. Sharpe was so impressive he was then selected to play on the wing for the Knights and was a revelation at the backend of the season.

And the Bulldogs have reportedly sought clarification on Votano's availability considering he will beon the development list in 2025. The 18-year-old talent was sensational in 2024 and even debuted on the wing for NSW in the u-19s State of Origin series.

He also featured four times for the Knights in the NSW Cup. However, it appears very unlikely the fullback will get time at NRL level anytime soon, which has seen the Bulldogs reach out about his situation, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The Bulldogs used a number of fullbacks in 2024 until Connor Tracey cemented the role. Tracey started on the wing, until moving to the No.1 position and keeping the role until the Bulldogs were eliminated in the NRL finals by Manly.

While the move would be a blow for the Knights if Votano was to leave, fullback and wing is a position they have covered. While Sharpe was able to earn a wing position, which saw him make the role his own in just a number of standout games, the Knights' backline appears set for 2025. While the Knights are hard at work in pre-season training, South Sydney have recognised out-of-favour Wests Tigers halfback Jayden Sullivan as a potential recruit.

Jayden Sullivan set for South Sydney Rabbitohs move

Sullivan is on a whopping $700,000 a season at the Tigers, but appears unlikely to crack into the first team with Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin set to partner each other in the halves. This has seen the Rabbitohs search for a back-up halfback after the departure of Lachlan Illias a few weeks ago.

And it appears new coach Bennett is keen on the 23-year-old with Code Sports reporting Sullivan has met for a Rabbitohs medical on Friday. He then returned to Tigers pre-season training with a fitness session. While South Sydney might be keen on Sullivan, they probably won't be able to afford his current deal.

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The Tigers might offer to chip in for Sullivan with the halfback having three years left on his current deal. This is quite a chunk out of the Wests Tigers salary cap if he is not their first string playmaker and isn't getting game time.

Sullivan could act as a back-up to Lewis Dodd at the Rabbitohs. Sullivan played nine games for the Tigers this year and did not win any of them. He was eventually dropped and did not play after round 14.

The 23-year-old has knocked back interest from Super League clubs and appears keen to stay in Australia. And the Tigers appear to have found a club willing to chip-in on his big deal heading into the 2025 NRL season.