KNIGHTS chief executive Matt Gidley has no doubts that the proposed take over by the Wests Group would help attract marquee players to the NRL battlers.
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Wests and the NRL have an in-principle agreement for the licensed club juggernaut to take control of the Knights.
The takeover is reliant on the approval of West’s members, who will be asked to vote in an informal ballot at any of the group’s six licensed premises between July 31 and August 6 to endorse or reject the plan.
“In terms of the criteria the NRL originally set [for the sale], they certainly satisfy that,” Gidley said. “They always did, it was just a process to get to this stage.”
The Knights added another piece to the 2018 playing roster on Monday, with confirmation that exciting back Connor Watson has signed a three-year deal to join the club from the Roosters.
He joins Kalyn Ponga, Tautau Moga and Aidan Guerra as new arrivals next season.
Broncos prop Herman Ese’ese is also expected to put pen to paper on a multi-year deal.
Gidley said talks were on-going with a number of players and believes the likely partnership with Wests will put the club in a strong position.
“Wests have been involved in rugby league and invested in the community over a long period of time,” he said. “They are a highly-successful organisation so absolutely it is something we will be talking to players about. We have spoken to players previously about it in the hope that the deal would be done with Wests.”
The Knights are hopeful they can tempt NSW Origin pivot James Maloney to seek a release from Cronulla. That deal hinges on the Sharks convincing Cooper Cronk to play a season in the Shire.
“We are still well positioned and if marquee players become available, we will absolutely take them into consideration,” Gidley said.
Watson had a year to run on his deal at the Sydney Roosters, but has been released.
The 21-year-old had also been in talks with the Wests Tigers but the opportunity to play five-eighth worked in the Knights’ favour.
The utility, who can also play hooker and fullback, was among the Roosters’ best in a 28-4 win over the Knights on Friday.
“There is no doubt that Connor is a talented young player and he will fit in nice with our squad next year,” Gidley said.
The Knights have also been linked to Penrith hooker Mitch Rein and Bulldogs dummy half Michael Licha as cover for the likely retirement of Rory Kostjasyn. Back-up No.9 Tyler Randell has also finalised a move to English Super League club Wakefield.
“Hooker is a position we would like to strengthen,” Gidley said. “We need a bit more depth there. We will continue to look at players who become available now and who may become available. Because of the uncertainty around the salary cap, there could be player movement right to the start of next season.”