Hunter's Best

It's a blokes world at the Newcastle Knights - New Knights Board Announced

Source: Newcastle Knights

The results of the Knights 2008 election were declared at last night's Annual General Meeting held at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The board members are now Tony Butterfield, Paul Harragon, Leigh Maughan, Robert Tew, Mark Fitzgibbon, Peter Corcoran OAM, Allan McKeown with NRL appointees Vince Murphy and Trevor Crow.

The AGM also saw the appointment of four new life members - Danny Buderus, Dr Neil Halpin, Mark Wright, and Bob Hancock.

Buderus Set to Make 2008 a Year to Remember

Source: Newcastle Knights

Modern great, Danny Buderus has announced 2008 will be his last season with the Newcastle Knights.

30-year-old Buderus joined Knights CEO, Steve Burraston and Leeds Rhinos boss, Gary Hetherington at Balance Health Club today to reveal a deal with the English Super League Club that will see him finish his illustrious career in the Old Dart.

“I have been blessed to play professional football in Newcastle for the last 13 years, and I am extremely grateful for the support I have received throughout my career from everyone involved at the Knights” Buderus said

Newcastle Knights - Seu Seu Suspended

Source: Newcastle Knights

Newcastle Knights player, Terence Seu Seu has been suspended from all club duties, effective immediately, following a failed random breath test early yesterday morning.

Seu Seu will now be required to front an urgent board meeting to determine his future at the club.

Five Out of Five for Knights

Source: Newcastle Knights

The Knights scored a clean sweep today with match results, winning all five of their matches played.

At the trial games held at Cessnock the Knights NYC side defeated the Sharks 28-24, NSW Cup Central Knights defeated the Sharks 30-16 and in NRL the Knights came from behind to narrowly defeat the Sharks 26-24.

Meanwhile at EnergyAustralia Stadium our junior sides took on the Wests Magpies with Harold Matthews coming out 48-26 victors and SG Ball 46-28.

Newcastle Knights to Play Roosters in Heritage Round

Source: Newcastle Knights

The NRL has today released full scheduling details for one of the highlight rounds of the Centenary season.

One hundred years on from the April 20 kick-off that started it all in 1908, the Harvey Norman Heritage Round will bring together teams in a series of history-based ‘head to head’ encounters.

Newcastle Knights - Polglase Retires

Source: Newcastle Knights

Talented Newcastle Knights utility, Todd Polglase has announced his retirement following a recurring battle with a hamstring injury.

Polglase, 26, broke the news to team mates and coaching staff at training this morning.

“I would like to thank the club for its patience and for giving me every opportunity to overcome my injury but I had to make a decision that was right for the future, Polglase said.”

Souths make grab for Gidley but Knights won't let go

Source: Glenn Jackson, League HQ

NEWCASTLE are facing a battle to keep Kurt Gidley, with South Sydney to chase the representative star.

While Knights officials are expected to commence negotiations with Gidley next week, the Rabbitohs have already placed the 25-year-old - who is officially off contract at the end of 2009 but has a clause in his favour which effectively makes him a free agent at the end of next season - at the top of their hit-list for 2009, along with Parramatta's Test and Origin fullback Jarryd Hayne.

The Rabbitohs have already expressed an interest in the Test player, and while Gidley yesterday maintained a desire to continue his career with the Knights, he did add: "This contract's probably the most important of my career. I'll be 26 next year and I'd like something pretty good. When you get to this point in their career, you like something long term and something pretty healthy. It's early days, but there's an option in my favour, which is good."

The Rabbitohs have made no secret of their desire to snare Hayne to the club for which his father, Manoa Thompson, played. What is not clear is whether the Rabbitohs would be in a position to bring both Hayne and Gidley to the club.

However, they do face an uphill task in trying to lure Gidley out of Newcastle. His manager Darryl Mather stressed he would give the Knights every opportunity to secure him long-term.

Reynoldson signs with Dragons

Source: Dean Ritchie,  Daily Telegraph

ST George Illawarra have pulled out of the race to sign disgruntled Bulldogs prop Willie Mason after today agreeing to terms with former Newcastle backrower Kirk Reynoldson for the 2008 season.

The one-year deal ends three months of hell for Reynoldson, unwanted by the Knights after a dispute with coach Brian Smith. Reynoldson will meet his new teammates for the first time tomorrow in Wollongong.

"It's going to be great to have a fresh start at the Dragons,'' the 28-year-old said in a statement. "It's great to be joining a club that is so rich in history in the game's centenary year.''

The signing comes as the Dragons said they had withdrawn from negotiations with Mason because the parties "could not agree on commercial terms going forward''.

Meanwhile, English Super League club Wigan have rubbished talk they were interested in the Test prop's signature, leaving NRL clubs Cronulla and Sydney Roosters as the only clubs left in the race.

Newton heading to Hull KR

Source: The Press Association

Hull KR are set to sign Melbourne Storm enforcer Clint Newton after he was forced out of the Australian club by a salary-cap squeeze.

Newton, a key member of the Storm's 2007 NRL team, has announced he will join the mass of Australian stars playing in England after agreeing to a two-year deal with the engage Super League club.

The move will complete a rollercoaster six months for the 26-year-old back-rower, who joined the Storm mid-season following a public spat with Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith.

Newton is disappointed to be leaving the Storm but is excited by his next challenge.

"I've had a great time at the Storm and I'll always be grateful they gave me the chance to continue playing in the NRL when I left Newcastle," Newton said.

"I can't speak highly enough of the club and if there's a chance of playing for them again in the future, I'd definitely be interested."

Newton has been released after fellow Melbourne back-rower Jeremy Smith rejected a lucrative three-year offer from the St George-Illawarra Dragons.

Knights deny salary cap rorts

Source: Dean Richie, The Daily Telegraph

THE Newcastle Knights and the NRL were last night forced to defend explosive allegations of salary cap rorting after a detailed email was sent to every club chief executive.

Former Knights financial controller Brad Newton attached an 18-page document listing stunning claims of salary cheating at the club dating back to 2000.

The Daily Telegraph also obtained a series of emotional emails exchanged between Newton and Knights chairman Peter Corcoran.

But NRL chief David Gallop and the Knights management last night vehemently denied Newton's allegations.

Gallop was forced to respond to all 16 clubs with a strongly worded letter of denial.

Corcoran said: "I'm not sure what Brad is on about to be truthful - all the particular incidents have been investigated and solved. It's all been put to bed."