Samantha and Tyson Frizell’s fashion label Eastaxe keeping the family busy

Tyson Frizell has plenty of hard carries left in him on the NRL field, but he’s already building a career outside of the game. READ THE LATEST IN OUR ‘FOOTY ENTREPRENEURS’ SERIES.

Much like the way his clothing brand is going, Tyson Frizell isn’t quite a kid anymore.

Which is why the Newcastle veteran and wife Samantha are growing their brand, Eastaxe, to appeal to kids of all ages – even ones as young as they are.

“We want to grow this brand as well as possible at the moment,” Tyson told this masthead.

“For me it’s about helping as much as I can, and hopefully by the time I finish we can fall back on it to support us financially.”

Having ticked over the 250-game milestone this season, Frizell is well on track to join the 300-game club should his body hold up for the rest of a deal he has until the end of 2026.

But that hasn’t stopped the former NSW and Kangaroos representative from also making the hard carries in his Newcastle warehouse alongside his wife, Samantha.

Frizell with sons Axton and Easton.

The pair launched Eastaxe as a children’s clothing brand three years ago, but have since extended their range for teenagers and adults.

When not at Knights training, the 32-year-old can be found at the couple’s Newcastle warehouse where he packs orders and works behind the scenes on the business.

“With three kids now it’s a little outlet to go and relax,” Tyson said.

“It’s something I enjoy seeing grow and become bigger, especially knowing it’s the thing that’s going to be around after I finish.

“It’s exactly like footy. When I go to training I love what I do, so I enjoy going to training everyday, similarly I enjoy being part of a business and it doesn’t really feel like work.”

Especially when he starts acting like a halfback instead of a forward.

“Footy is very structured and routine, with everything scheduled in, where I’m the complete opposite,” Samantha said.

“He is coming in now and being like, ‘Right, we need a calendar. Get everything on paper. When are we going to run ads, launch, drop campaigns?’”

Not that Frizell will be completely lost to the game once he retires.

The former Cronulla and St George Illawarra second-rower is determined to remain involved in the game in some capacity once he hangs up the boots.

Frizell has a player option for 2025. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

He has a player option for 2025, and a mutual option for both parties for 2026.

“I don’t think I could fully cut ties with footy once I’m done,” Tyson said.

“I’d like to be a part of a footy club in some sort of way, I feel like I could offer a little bit back to the game that has given me so much.

“Being a part of footy for 14 years now, to just say goodbye to it wouldn’t be too easy for myself, so this makes everything a bit more of a softer landing.”

For now, Frizell and the Knights will hope to keep their dwindling top eight hopes alive once they return from this weekend’s bye.

Newcastle travel to Penrith to face Nathan Cleary and the Panthers in Round 22.