NRL great makes ‘crazy’ admission about Leo Thompson as Knights star closes in on $3.2m move

Despite interest from numerous rival NRL teams, Newcastle Knights prop Leo Thompson is allegedly close to signing a $3.2 million contract with the Canberra Raiders in 2026.

Broad According to a World of Sports story on Friday, Thompson has told teammates about his high-profile departure, and Ricky Stuart’s Raiders have won the battle for one of the best players available.

The Bulldogs were among the teams interested in signing Thompson, who met with Canterbury officials, including coach Cameron Ciraldo, last week.

The Knights had hoped to extend the Kiwi Test star past 2025, but the 24-year-old has stated that he is prepared to leave Newcastle after the upcoming season. The Dogs, however, ruled themselves out of the running for the prop’s signature.

With Trent Robinson’s team losing experienced prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves following the previous season and releasing Terrell May to join the Wests Tigers in 2025, the Sydney Roosters also became a late danger to Canberra’s hopes of acquiring Thompson.

However, the fact that Thompson’s fiancée is from Canberra and the prop played junior football in the nation’s capital gave the Raiders a clear edge over their opponents.

There was a bidding battle for the Kiwi Test star’s services because Parramatta and the Dragons were reportedly interested in signing him starting in 2026.

NRL great James Graham says he thinks the Raiders made a sound business decision by signing a four-year contract worth an estimated $800,000 each season, even if it’s a lot of money for a prop.

Graham stated on The Bye Round that “I think he’s the hottest one on the market.” “It appears that the players who will receive the most compensation are halfbacks and then front rowers.

Even though it may seem odd, I believe that Leo Thompson is worth more because he doesn’t play Origin.

Graham said that given Thompson’s age and career trajectory, he thinks the 24-year-old can establish himself as one of the game’s top middle forwards.

He compared Thompson to some of the best props in the game, including Addin Fonua-Blake, Payne Haas, Joseph Tapine, and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, all of whom are on contracts worth over $800,000 per season.

Even though this may seem absurd, that 800k annually could seem like a steal when compared to players like Tino [Fa’asuamaleaui], [Payne] Haas, [Addin] Fonua-Blake, and Joseph Tapine, who are making between 900 and 1.1 million dollars.

He still has his best football left, and if he can place at the top of the props category, that 800k could seem like a good deal,” Graham continued.

“To put it into words, it seems crazy, especially when I was playing. As they listen, people will think, “Come on, buddy, this is a great deal for 800k.” But he still has it in his locker when you make comparisons.

Having started all 23 of Adam O’Brien’s 2024 games, Thompson has rapidly established himself as possibly Newcastle’s most crucial midfield forward.

The Roosters star and Kiwi Test teammate Brandon Smith says the prop’s preparation and work ethic have really impressed him, drawing comparisons to four-time premiership-winning prop James Fisher-Harris. The prop averaged 31 tackles and 104 run metres for the Knights last season as they sneaked into the NRL finals.

“Everyone I’ve talked to calls him ‘baby Fish’ because Leo Thompson prepares in the exact same way as Fish, and that’s what you want,” Smith added.

“Coming from rugby union, he still has a lot of room to grow, and this game is still very new to him. Everything about the direction he is taking is positive.

That $800,000 is deadset the $600,000 from four years ago, which may sound absurd to consider. The money has increased and things have changed.

After letting go fellow prop Daniel Saifiti to sign with the Dolphins, the Knights will be severely hurt by Thompson’s 2026 departure.

Instead of seeing the prop’s departure damage Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien’s middle forward position, Thompson has established himself as one of the NRL’s top middle forwards.

Tyrone, a former Super Rugby forward and Thompson’s twin brother, has joined Newcastle for the 2025 campaign.

Nevertheless, Thompson, who rose through Canberra’s junior system, is destined to join the Raiders and return to the nation’s capital. When Josh Papali’i’s current contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, the Raiders may see the prop as a logical replacement.