Kyle McCarthy discussion

McCarthy had a stellar first year and has gone just as well in his second year to rise from Ball to Flegg to Cup to Firstgrade in less than 2 years, which seems pretty unique - but Fletcher Hunt seems to be on a pretty similar journey.
Like McCarthy, Hunt played Laurie Daley Cup for a country side and was playing some local firstgrade in the year before he joined us.
Like McCarthy, Hunt is a tall, naturally gifted athlete.
Like McCarthy, Hunt started a bit slow in Ball, but quickly developed and stood out more and more as the season went on.
Hunt has now established himself in Flegg.
The difference is that Hunt is a very good and rapidly improving spine player. He played 5/8 in Ball and his kicking and passing skills got better every game, and now he is going well as fullback in Flegg.
 
McCarthy had a stellar first year and has gone just as well in his second year to rise from Ball to Flegg to Cup to Firstgrade in less than 2 years, which seems pretty unique - but Fletcher Hunt seems to be on a pretty similar journey.
Like McCarthy, Hunt played Laurie Daley Cup for a country side and was playing some local firstgrade in the year before he joined us.
Like McCarthy, Hunt is a tall, naturally gifted athlete.
Like McCarthy, Hunt started a bit slow in Ball, but quickly developed and stood out more and more as the season went on.
Hunt has now established himself in Flegg.
The difference is that Hunt is a very good and rapidly improving spine player. He played 5/8 in Ball and his kicking and passing skills got better every game, and now he is going well as fullback in Flegg.
We seem to be able to develop quality fullback after quality fullback now.
 
So what is the status of McCarthy?
He's not listed in either top 30 or development lists on NRL.COM
They have deleted and re-posted his profile in our firstgrade profiles a few times.
He's still young enough to play Flegg, but only had a few games of Flegg last year, and none this year.
It's possible he's only on a junior contract.
 
Think he has a player option for 2026, he has shown enough at his age to be signed especially with Gags heading for retirement in a season or two
 
Can’t be be playing NRL unless he’s on Dcelopment or Top 30. So he must have been upgraded. Which he’s earned, he is only growing into his frame and physically is getting up there with easily handling NRL.
 
Can’t be be playing NRL unless he’s on Dcelopment or Top 30. So he must have been upgraded. Which he’s earned, he is only growing into his frame and physically is getting up there with easily handling NRL.
They’ve relaxed the rules mate, there are guys playing atm who don’t have top 30 deals
 
Can’t be be playing NRL unless he’s on Dcelopment or Top 30. So he must have been upgraded. Which he’s earned, he is only growing into his frame and physically is getting up there with easily handling NRL.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I thought I'd heard clubs could select anyone from within their ranks this year. I haven't been able to confirm it yet.
 
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He is on the supplementary list in 2025 and top 30 in 2026 and 2027.
Has it? Right that’s great news for him and club. Just wished club would let fans know this. Obviously this was inside knowledge on here? It’s not anywhere else.
 
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I thought I'd heard clubs could select anyone from within their ranks this year. I haven't been able to confirm it yet.
All good yeah think it was mentioned. Just not sure if was ever locked in.
 
So he'll be up against Jeral Skelton this weekend.. Is he good under a high ball? (Not that we really have one anyway)
 
Has it? Right that’s great news for him and club. Just wished club would let fans know this. Obviously this was inside knowledge on here? It’s not anywhere else.
It was announced by Knights and most probably posted on here. I keep my own list of the Knights contracts and update it each time a new contract is announced.
 
So he played a bit of second row last week and went OK I thought.

at 193 cm he is only 2 cm shorter than Jacob Saifiti, and weirdly, they have similar frames - but the big difference is Jacob is 21kg heavier.

Kyle 93kg
Jacob 114kg

Anyway, if he bulked to about 103kg, I think Kyle could be a very handy second row.
 
So he played a bit of second row last week and went OK I thought.

at 193 cm he is only 2 cm shorter than Jacob Saifiti, and weirdly, they have similar frames - but the big difference is Jacob is 21kg heavier.

Kyle 93kg
Jacob 114kg

Anyway, if he bulked to about 103kg, I think Kyle could be a very handy second row.
Athletically he suits edge backrow more than he does an outside back imo. Doesn't have the explosive pace or agility needed from an NRL quality back.
 
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