Tolar extends Knights stay

Newcastle Knights front rower Daniel Tolar has agreed a new three year deal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2012 season.

Tolar, 26, joined the club as a youngster and progressed through the ranks, making his first grade debut in 2004 against Melbourne.

“It takes me to 30 so I’ll see how my body is holding up then and maybe I might go on for another one or two years then,” said Tolar.

“This season is my 12th so by the time I finish I’ll be into my 15th,” he said.

“Coming through the younger grades I have a lot of memories and I’ve made a lot of friends for the future.”

After a career best pre-season, Tolar’s 66th top grade appearance saw him suffer a setback when he fractured a knee cap in Round 1 against the Titans.

Despite the early misfortune, the prop vowed to return as soon as possible, encouraged further by today’s retention announcement.

“It’s great to have the contract negotiations out of the road so I can just concentrate on getting back onto the park.”

Coach Brian Smith said Tolar’s re-signing is of major significance to the club’s future direction as a player who represents the foundations the Newcastle Knights were built upon.

“Dan is so highly respected by everyone in our organisation,” Smith said.

“As a local junior he’s come up through the grades, he’s one of those guys who don’t get a lot of column inches or high exposure but he’s one of those players football clubs are built around.”

Smith said today’s announcement sends a positive signal to local juniors who look to the Knights as a pathway to the elite level and the results that can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

“I think it’s an enormous show of faith from Dan that he loves this club and that he’s put himself down for another three years with us shows we are moving in the right direction.”