Newcastle will hunt for a a third successive NRLW premiership in 2024 but Ron Griffiths admits he is unsure whether he will be there to coach the side.
After a last-placed finish in 2021, The Knights appointed former Wests Tigers assistant Griffiths as their head coach and he has since overseen a sharp resurgence in the Hunter.
Newcastle have won 17 of Griffiths' 19 games in charge, including the 2023 grand final against Gold Coast at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
The 24-18 victory confirmed the first back-to-back premiership victories in Newcastle club history, dating back to the men's team's inaugural season in 1988.
But as a dynasty looms, Griffiths met with the Knights in the lead-up to the grand final to gauge his interests in changes to his role.
"I'll be coaching (but) from my perspective, the club has spoken to me about doing a different role. I told them that I wouldn't make a decision until after today," he said.
"Whether I have the ability to coach this team and develop them, I'm unsure because I have to work out whether I have the skill set to go again.
"I will tell you one thing, when I first sat down with the club, I said I'd love the opportunity to take this team to three grand finals, and that's still something that burns within me."
Griffiths has addressed the situation with his playing group, with whom he is a popular figure.
"Ronnie is a great person, so as a team we'll support him no matter what he decides," halfback Hannah Southwell said.
"We'll love watching him if he goes away, but we'd also love to have him as our coach for those three years.
Whatever he decides to do is up to him. It comes down to what's best for him and his family, and we'll support that."
Either way, Griffiths had confidence the side could maintain its prowess into the future.
As of Sunday night, only four members of the Knights' premiership side were uncontracted for 2024.
Newcastle have set about retaining their elite stars long term, with five-eighth Georgia Roche and Tamika Upton contracted through 2027.
Jesse and Hannah Southwell both have options in their contracts that would permit them to stay that long as well.
"It's a pretty special playing group," Griffiths said.
"I've got no doubt that with some work through the next six months, it's going to be hard (but) there's no reason they can't be there again (in 2024)."
