The signature of Wayne Bennett is the decisive bargaining chip Newcastle Knights need to attract key players and to fast-track their next premiership, Fox Sports rugby league experts predict.


Bennett's decision to join Newcastle Knights on a four-year contract has wide-ranging effects for the Hunter Valley club, not least their ability to attract marquee players away from the major, more glamorous cities of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Knights may have missed out on Jamal Idris, who is set to join Gold Coast Titans in 2012, but Penrith great Greg Alexander believes the cream of the NRL crop will now follow Bennett to Newcastle - starting with St George Illawarra star Darius Boyd.

"They've got some class players, there's no doubt about it, but they'll be looking to strengthen that squad," said Alexander, now a Fox Sports commentator.

"We'll see what Darius Boyd does. Kurt Gidley is already a great number one but he can also play in the halves.

"Now that Bennett has agreed to Newcastle, there'll be plenty of other players who want to follow him, too."

Former Kangaroos international Laurie Daley agreed, saying the acquisition of Bennett could deliver Newcastle another premiership as soon as "two to three years".

"They've already won two premierships and, with Wayne Bennett in charge, they're more than likley to go on and win another one," Fox Sports commentator Daley said.

"He may be able to transform them into a premiership-winning team within two or three years.

"He's got a great track record of achieving everywhere that he's been."

While expectations of another premiership in rapid time will most excite Newcastle fans, Daley suggested it was what Bennett offered the club in the long-term that could well be his legacy.

"What he will be able to do is set them up for the future," he said.

"With the financial backing of Nathan Tinkler, they'll have the best facilities; they'll be able to encourage the best players to go there ... their membership will grow.

"It's a mad passionate football area, and you can only see good times ahead for Newcastle."

As Knights fans await the arrival of the seven-time premiership coach, Alexander says recruitment will be a priority for a club he believes will struggle to make the finals this season.

"I think Newcastle are in a battle to make the eight this year," he said.

"There'll be plenty of things to work on, but there is the basis of a pretty good side there, in particular around the halves, and the outside backs ... they've got some pretty good backrowers, too.

"So there is only a couple of positions that they need to add to strengthen."

Matt Orford's been left out of the squad for Canberra this weekend.

Matt Orford's been left out of the squad for Canberra this weekend.

At least we know now what really matters to Idris.

It was a mammoth offer ! How they've fit that in is beyond me, considering Cartwright said 2 months ago they were squeezed. I guess losing Friend to NZ would help a little but still, that's a marquee salary and honestly I don't think he's worth it. He isn't in that game changer category.

He may not be at the moment but he is still only 20, and will be in that category sooner rather than later.

Karmichael Hunt linked to new NRL club Central Coast Bears

Nick Walshaw From: Herald Sun April 14, 2011

KARMICHAEL Hunt will be back in rugby league by 2013 - and pitched as the new face of NRL expansion - if he continues to struggle with AFL.

If the Central Coast Bears are granted entry into the game, officials are ready to make a huge play for the AFL poster boy.

Hunt is struggling with his $3 million switch to Australian rules and comes out of contract with Gold Coast at the end of next year.

Should the AFL fight to keep Karmichael Hunt? Vote now and have your say.

The bid team - including coach-in-waiting Dave Fairleigh - is believed to have approached Hunt's manager David Riolo.

It is armed with a $10 million war chest and promises to make the former Queensland and Kangaroos fullback the face of its franchise.

Asked last night about the move to bring Hunt back to league, Fairleigh said: "Right at the moment it would be wrong to talk hypotheticals. But obviously we're moving forward, planning as if we're going to be playing in the NRL come 2013.

"And as a result, there are a number of marquee players we're considering, both here in Australia and in Great Britain.

"It's great to see a number of quality players not signing contracts beyond 2012 because they want to see what happens with expansion, see what opportunities might be out there."

Despite being signed up as the poster boy of AFL expansion, Hunt has struggled in his switch of codes.

While it's widely known several NRL clubs will make a play for the former Brisbane Bronco, the Bears are convinced they'll be able to beat their established rivals.

The Suns are aware of interest in Hunt and accept he may one day return to rugby league.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna recently said he hoped Hunt would stay.

"Players always want to go home," McKenna said. "Karmichael going back to league would be no different to any player moving to the Gold Coast wanting to return to his roots," he said.

"It's up to us to provide a winning culture. I'm confident that in three years, should we enjoy some success and Karmichael plays a part in that success, he will want to stick around."

Hunt has indicated a possible return to NRL.

"I haven't left the NRL on bad terms and I am sure the door will still open down the track," he has said. "Who knows what the future holds?

"If two years ago you'd asked me if I'd be playing for an AFL team I'd have wondered what you are talking about.

"Who knows? I might even finish my career in the AFL."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/karmichael-hunt-linked-to-new-nrl-club-central-coast-bears/story-e6frf9jf-1226038731234

Now the NRL has something to answer for again. Paul Aiton was sent off earlier in the season for a headbutt, so why the fuck isn't that cunt Hayne sent off for a headbutt.

And people wonder why referees get criticised

What a fucking half. 14-14 HT

Ben Barba you are a fucking magician.

Another game decided by the refs.

Fucken NRL, Fucken joke!!

No wonder the NRL is second to AFL.

:lol: The only big mistake the refs did was not sending off Hayne like he should have been.

He'll be out for a few weeks, the NRL will see to that.

So he should be. But he still should have been sent off not just sin binned.

20-14. The Eels have no chance.

And if the Eels end up losing you can blame it all on Hayne since it all started with his stupidity.

The Eels have already lost. NRL refs have decided the outcome.