Versatile young playmaker Phoenix Crossland has knocked back interest from the Brisbane Broncos to remain at the Newcastle Knights for at least a further season.
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It's understood Crossland's management was sounded out by the Broncos about a possible move north for 2022 after the Knights signed the more-experienced Adam Clune from the Dragons as a back-up halfback for Mitchell Pearce.
Clune will link with the Knights on a two-year deal from next season after the club made the decision to bolster their depth in the halves and put some experience around the young players coming through in the lower grades.
But while the addition of Clune may limit Crossland's opportunities in the top grade, the 21-year-old, who has been in the Knights' system for more than seven years, was keen to stay in Newcastle and has settled his immediate future by agreeing to terms for a further 12 months.
Crossland has spent his entire career in the halves, including playing in the number 7 jersey for NSW at junior Origin level right though the grades, but a change of position is a possibility with coach Adam O'Brien looking at him as a player who could potentially develop into a ball-playing lock.
O'Brien said Clune's signing was never an indication the club was prepared to lose Crossland.
"That was never the case and I think Adam coming here will only be good for Phoenix," O'Brien told the Newcastle Herald. "We need someone of Adam's experience guiding our young guys coming through and Phoenix is one of those. But I don't just see him solely as someone who plays in the halves.
"One of the things I like about him the most is his toughness. He's bulked up now, he's a strong defender, he's physical and brave and through necessity more than anything over the past couple of seasons, he's had to become versatile.
"Phoenix is one of those players we could even look at developing in the off-season to play that first receiver lock role that players like Isaah Yeo, Victor Radley and Cam Murray play."
Meanwhile, outside back Enari Tuala has also agreed to terms on a new contract and is expected to formally sign an extended two-year deal over the next few weeks.
Tuala, the club's leading try-scorer this year, was the only member of the 17-man squad beaten by the Parramatta Eels in the finals, who was unsigned for 2022.
The club is yet to make a call on the future of Tex Hoy or Jack Johns as they weigh up the salary cap and the final couple of spots in the roster. They are still looking to sign a backrower.
