Paul FRANZE [
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Wed July 26, 2006
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.auTwo Novocastrians will return home next season to continue their NRL careers with the Newcastle Knights, after agreeing to terms with the club overnight.
Former Cronulla and Penrith First Grader, Paul Franze will turn full circle after signing a two-year deal.
A Raymond Terrace junior, the 24-year-old toured with the Junior Kangaroos and made his First Grade debut for the Sharks in Round 6 of the 2002 season against the Knights.
A strong, hard running centre, Franze has recently returned from England after a year of Premiership Rugby with London Irish and a stint with English Rugby League club, Castleford Tigers.
"It's great to be coming home with the opportunity to resume my career where it all began. Next season can't come soon enough," Franze said.
Franze will be joined by current Rabbitohs Fullback/Centre and former Kurri junior, Todd Polglase, who has also agreed to terms for at least two years.
Cessnock born Polglase left Newcastle to join the Bulldogs in 2002, also making his First Grade debut against the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium. (Round 20, 2002)
He departs the Rabbitohs after three seasons at Redfern to return to his former club.
"Having Newcastle players represent their home town holds intrinsic value for the Knights as a football club," said Newcastle Knights Operations Manager, Stephen Crowe.
"Most of our current First Grade team is made up of local products and next year this percentage will, in all likelihood, grow."
"We have some outstanding young players, particularly in our Jersey Flegg (u/20) level, and I would expect some of those players, along with the likes of Todd Polglase and Paul Franze, to play a major role in our 2007 campaign," said Crowe.
Meanwhile, Premier League powerhouse, Jesse Royal has secured his future with the Newcastle Knights, re-signing for a further two seasons.
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www.newcastleknights.com.auTue April 25, 2006
by Matthew O'Neill
Former Penrith and Cronulla centre Paul Franze has quit English Super League club Castleford after joining them just a fortnight ago.
Franze played for NRL club Penrith Panthers last year where he played the majority of the season in the top side, which included a hat-trick of tries in the second last game of the season against The Bulldogs.
The 24-year-old centre switched codes to play for London Irish and made seven appearances for the Exiles before returning to Rugby League to link with Castleford who are battling to stay in Super League after spending last year in the National League competition.
Castleford spokes person David Smart said:
"It came out of the blue. Paul rang our coach Terry Matterson and said he was finding it harder than he envisaged
"This is his third straight season of rugby and he feels that he is struggling to come to terms with the rigours of back-to-back football.
"He has decided to take a break from the game and opted out of his contract.
"However we are continuing to look to bring players into the club and we expect to be strengthened in the threequarters ahead of the Salford match with Michael Shenton and Gray Viane set to return."Franze is the second player to quit the relegation-threatened club in a week following the decision of former Bradford hooker Aaron Smith to take a break from the game.
Castleford have lost their last five Super League matches and are two points above Wigan who last week defeated Huddersfield 46-14 under new coach Brian Noble.
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 2006 engage English Super League
Castleford Tigers
3 games; [View] Round 9 [14 Apr 06] L 26-34 v Wakefield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 10 [17 Apr 06] L 6-64 v Warrington (H). [CT]
[View] Round 11 [21 Apr 06] L 6-42 v Leeds (A). [CT]
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2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Penrith Panthers
21 games; 11 tries, 44 points.
[View] Round 1 [12 Mar 05] L 14-20 v Sharks (A). [CT]
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 05] L 20-28 v Roosters (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (37th)
[View] Round 3 [26 Mar 05] W 18-8 v Dragons (H). [CT]
[View] Round 4 [01 Apr 05] L 16-26 v Eels (A). [CT]
[View] Round 5 [08 Apr 05] W 36-16 v Storm (H). [CT]
[View] Round 6 [16 Apr 05] W 36-6 v Souths (A). [CT]
[View] Round 7 [23 Apr 05] L 22-36 v Cowboys (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (43rd)
[View] Round 8 [01 May 05] W 16-14 v Warriors (A). [CT]
[View] Round 9 [07 May 05] L 18-26 v Raiders (H). [CT]
[View] Round 10 [13 May 05] L 12-34 v Dragons (A). [CT]
[View] Round 15 [18 Jun 05] W 28-14 v Storm (A). [CT]
[View] Round 16 [25 Jun 05] L 24-28 v Knights (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (67th)
[View] Round 17 [03 Jul 05] L 14-22 v Raiders (A). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (5th)
[View] Round 18 [09 Jul 05] W 16-12 v Sea Eagles (H). [CT]
[View] Round 19 [15 Jul 05] L 16-18 v Bulldogs (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (48th)
[View] Round 20 [23 Jul 05] L 18-38 v Cowboys (A). [CT]
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 05] W 42-34 v Warriors (H). [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (62nd)
[View] Round 22 [07 Aug 05] W 30-28 v Roosters (A). [CT]
[View] Round 24 [21 Aug 05] W 22-20 v Broncos (H). [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (75th, 80th)
[View] Round 25 [28 Aug 05] W 28-6 v Bulldogs (A). [CT] 12 Pts; 3t (16th, 51st, 78th)
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 05] W 38-22 v Tigers (A). [CT]
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2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
1 games; [View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] L 20-24 v Bulldogs (A). [CT]
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Franze, Paul
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