Newcastle Knights utility Tyler Randell has agreed to terms of a two-year contract extension, for seasons 2016 and 2017.
The 22-year-old is set to play his second game in the NRL after being named on an extended bench for Saturday’s match against the New Zealand Warriors.
"It’s definitely very exciting to agree to stay here for another two years,” Randell said.
"I don’t want to be playing anywhere else except the Newcastle Knights.”
Randell, who was born in Scone and played his junior football with the Aberdeen Tigers, has made his way through the grades at the Knights before making his NRL debut in Round 25 last season.
"I’ve been here since Harold Matthews so it has been seven years,” Randell added.
“It feels like it’s been a long time… but it has been good to progress through all the grades.
"I think the Club has a country feel. Everyone gets along well. It’s a good Club and a good bunch of people.”
It has been a solid pre-season for Randell, who played in the Auckland Nines as well as in both trial matches.
“At the start of the pre-season, I decided I wanted to really impress and train well,” Randell added.
"I didn’t want to be just another player in the background so hopefully I’ve done my best to stand out a little bit.
"It’s always been a dream, since I was a young kid playing footy.
"So to play for my local team is definitely a dream come true.”
With his future secured at the Knights, the focus is this weekend’s match.
"I’m definitely excited about the weekend. It’s been a long but fun pre-season, so when Round 1 comes around everyone is keen to get out there and play,” Randell concluded.
For the Club, it is pleasing to retain a player who has progressed through the grades.
“Tyler has expressed how he doesn’t want to play anywhere else and that is part of our overall plan, to be able to reward those players who have progressed through our grades,” Director of Football Michael Hagan said.
“Tyler has a lot of the traits we are looking for; the way he plays and the way he handles himself in the community.
“He can play a number of roles and the versatility he brings to the team is important.”
