Will Pryce is promising Newcastle Knights fans they’ll see him at his best when the 2025 season rolls around.

The talented Englishman arrived in Australia with a huge reputation but struggled to cement a permanent spot in Adam O’Brien’s NRL squad.

It’s something he’s fully aware of and determined to rectify by the time his side tackles the Wests Tigers in round one on Friday 7 March.

“As a person I’ve changed a lot, coming over here I was still a bit of a boy, I’d never left home, and I had to go through a lot of experiences both off and on the field,” Pryce said.

“Will Pryce at the start of last year was a bit unsettled, whereas now I feel settled and like I’m a part of the Newcastle environment.

“I’m actually enjoying getting back into training… and putting in the hard work.”

The Knights reached the 2024 play-offs, however they failed to make an impact when it mattered.

They were bundled out of the premiership race by the North Queensland Cowboys.

Pryce admitted both his and his teammates’ goal this year was for the squad to secure a third premiership title for the club.

“There’s a few of us who have had a taste for NRL,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“But, we also want to prove a point that we can stay in that team.

“So, obviously, the main aim is to bring the comp back to Newcastle.

“It’s been over 20 years since we’ve done it, so I want to repay the club and the fans and have a big season in 2025.

“That’s the goal right now.”

According to Pryce, coach Adam O’Brien has already put the squad to work in preparation for the March kick-off.

“This year has already, in my opinion, been tougher and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the boys will go over this period before Christmas,” he said.

“I want to get some points accrued.

“Last season didn’t go as planned for me and I played a bit more games in the NSW Cup than I thought I would’ve done.

“However, I’ve got a point to prove to the fans and to the boys as well.

“I need to gain their respect.”

East Maitland Griffins junior Tom Cant has impressed Pryce in the pre-season.

The 22-year-old made his NRL debut in the 2023 round three fixture against the Dolphins, only to wait another 12 months to hop on the field again.

“Tom is always someone who comes in and gives it a real dig,” Pryce said.

“Everyone’s pretty much come back in the shape they wanted but I still think we’ve got a long way to go.”

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