Knights take Gamble to keep halves competition alive

Newcastle's halves conundrum is poised to continue into next season after the club tied Tyson Gamble to a two-year contract extension.

Five-eighth Gamble impressed during the Knights' charge to the semi-finals last season but his follow-up campaign has been interrupted by a long-term foot injury suffered in round 10.

The new deal is a showing of faith in the 28-year-old and ensures he will remain with the club until at least the end of 2026.

"Tyson has been a major contributor since his arrival at the Knights," Newcastle's football boss Peter Parr said.

"His energy and enthusiasm are contagious for everyone around him, he plays with a toughness that has earned the respect of his teammates and this community."

The deal positions the Knights for another year of stiff competition in the halves, with Gamble joining Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger and Will Pryce on the contract list for 2025.

Newcastle had begun 2024 with something of a rotation policy in the halves as established pairing Hastings and Gamble shared duties with new recruit Cogger.

Englishman Pryce has since made his NRL debut, partnering Hastings in the halves last week to mark the fifth time the Knights had changed their halves combination across 15 games.

Pryce and Hastings will reprise their combination against Canberra on Sunday, when 11th-placed Newcastle will hope to keep pace with the top eight.

Gamble is listed as returning from injury in round 22.