Rugby league: Knights in market to replace Mitchell Pearce

Pearce was released from the final year of his contract on Monday, bringing an end to four roller coaster seasons in the red and blue.

The 32-year-old is set to take up a lucrative three-year deal with French Super League club Catalans, believing his body can't handle the rigours of the NRL.

Pearce told Nine on Monday that he needed a change.

"The big thing for me, I went through a few personal things last year so maybe a change mentally. I had a pretty draining year last year," Pearce said.

"And I've been playing for a long time, so physically and mentally maybe just a change was the thing that was the most stimulating for me at the moment."

As for regrets in his NRL career, he said: "There probably is some regrets but, without being a weirdo, I think they are all lessons, they really are.

"I think sometimes your worst moments, that are perceived to be worst, it's a silver lining sometimes."

He said he was still leaving the door open to a return one day to the NRL.

Details of the release remain confidential, but the Knights had been seeking a transfer fee.

Pearce's exit leaves the Knights without a first-choice halfback but it does free up about $650,000 in the salary cap if they can find a suitable replacement.

Adam Clune, who arrived this season after playing 25 games for the Dragons over two years, is the frontrunner for the No.7 jumper.

Promising youngsters Phoenix Crossland, Simi Sasagi and Tex Hoy could also potentially partner Jake Clifford in the halves.

The other option for coach Adam O'Brien could be to switch Kalyn Ponga from fullback to five-eighth.

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The Knights have enlisted club legend Andrew Johns to work with the halves and are prepared to develop from within.

But they do have two spots available on their 30 man roster if a viable option arose.

As it stands, quality halves on the market are scarce.

But past seasons have shown that the NRL is extremely fluid and one change in personnel at a club can cause a domino effect.

The Knights are prepared to be patient for the right player and have been linked to Luke Brooks.

He has two years remaining on his contract at the Wests Tigers, but is understood to be agitating for a fresh start.

The Tigers recently refuted suggestions they would allow the 26-year-old to walk away.

Under NRL regulations, clubs are not allowed to talk to rival players until the final year of their contract - a point made last week by Knights chief executive Phil Gardner.

However, Gardner indicated Newcastle's position may change if the Tigers released Brooks.

"If he was released, or if the Tigers gave him permission to explore other options, he could talk to whoever he wants," Gardner said. But that hasn't happened, so the rules are quite clear."

Pearce said Brooks "would be great" for the Knights.

"I think Brooksy is a really good player, he's been a really good first-grader for a really long time, so I think if the club was able to get Brooksy up there, especially with the forward pack we've got, the great young players up there, I think it would be a great move for Brooksy," Pearce said.

The Tigers' stance on Brooks could hinge on their pursuit of Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson.

Hodgson is contracted to Raiders for next year on a deal reportedly worth $900,000.

The 32-year-old is due back at the Raiders on Friday, but is reportedly keen for a move to Sydney.

The stumbling block is how much of his $900,000 pay packet deal for next year the Tigers, who have already recruited Jackson Hastings and Tyrone Peachey, would be prepared to pay and the impact on their salary cap. Brooks could be squeezed out to free up room for the Englishman.

Scott Drinkwater has also been touted as a possible replacement for Pearce.

The Knights' senior players are due to start pre-season on November 24.

It will be the first time in four years that Pearce won't be among the leading voices.

Pearce agreed to a one-year extension with the Knights in March but the former NSW representative became linked with a move to the Dragons following James Maloney's retirement.

In statement, the Knights said: Pearce requested a release from the final year of his current contract in late October, with both parties working through the process, making it effective immediately.

"The Knights would like to thank Mitchell for his significant contribution since joining the club in 2017, celebrating many highlights including 300 NRL games and back-to-back finals series."

In all, Pearce made 71 appearances for the Knights, taking his NRL career tally to 309 games, including a premiership with the Roosters in 2013.

Pearce has relocated to Sydney and is expected to move to France later this year. The 2022 Super League season is slated to start on February 10.

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