Former Newcastle Knights playmaker Adam Clune is reportedly poised to return to the Hunter following the conclusion of his current stint in the Super League. Clune, 31, is off-contract with the Huddersfield Giants at the end of 2026 and is not expected to be offered a new deal, with the Knights emerging as the leading destination to secure his services.
Clune initially broke into the NRL in 2020 with the St George Illawarra Dragons, making 25 appearances across two seasons in Wollongong before transferring to Newcastle for a two-year tenure that yielded 22 matches. He subsequently signed a multi-year agreement to join the Giants in the Northern Hemisphere ahead of the 2024 campaign, where he featured in 24 games during his debut Super League season.
However, injuries disrupted his subsequent progress, limiting him to six appearances in 2025 and 11 matches in 2026. The Giants have arranged for Jake Arthur to join the club in 2027 to assume a primary playmaking role, effectively closing the door on an extension for Clune.
Sporting a composed kicking game and sharp running ability, Clune possesses the attributes required for the rapid pace of the modern NRL. Upon a potential arrival in Newcastle, he would provide experienced halves depth behind Dylan Brown, Fletcher Sharpe, and Sandon Smith, the latter two having engineered a standout campaign that carried the side to the 2026 NRL Grand Final.
The Knights face a shifting roster ahead of 2027, welcoming Marata Niukore to the club while parting ways with several established figures, including Dane Gagai, Tyson Frizell, Tyson Gamble, and Wilson De Courcey. Meanwhile, the long-term future of center Bradman Best at the club remains unresolved.
