The sweet smell of success is starting to permeate the Cessnock Goannas with the club securing former Knights winger Chanel Mata’utia after his shock decision to leave Newcastle.
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Cessnock secretary Cherie Douglas said Mata’utia had agreed to terms to play at the Goannas in 2018 under new coach Al Lantry.
“We’re very excited that Chanel will be joining the Goannas family in 2018,” Douglas said.
“There is an incredibly positive feel around the club under new coach Al Lantry. We have been very successful in recruiting and also been able to retain the bulk of the 2017 squad.
“Chanel indicated he was delighted to be joining us as Cessnock and we are really looking forward to welcoming him to the family at our first training night on Thursday.”
Mata’utia will join the Goannas other big signing former Sydney Rooster Paul Carter to bolster a Cessnock squad which pushed for the semi-finals until injuries finally caught up with them.
Lantry described Mata’utia’s signing as the icing on the cake for the Goannas’ 2018 recruiting.
“We were basically finished with recruitment but for someone of his quality to become available, it was a real bonus for us,” he said.
Carter, 25, Cessnock’s other key signing, is scheduled to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to supplying cocaine at a Sydney nightclub to teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who later joined the Newcastle Knights.
Lantry said he wasn’t concerned about Carter’s controversial off-field baggage.
“I’ve spoken to him and he’s all focused on the right areas. And I’m not focused on anything off field either,” Lantry said.
“He’s just looking to get back and keep everything on the field and play good footy for the Goeys.”
Cessnock’s Coalifelds rivals Maitland and Kurri Kurri are still in the hunt to sign former Knights, Canberra and Wests Tigers forward Joel Edwards.
Edwards, whose NRL contract at the Tigers was not renewed at the end of last season, has shopped himself around to a host of local clubs over the past month.
The Cessnock junior played more than 100 NRL games after debuting for the Knights in 2010.
Maitland president Frank Lawler confirmed the Pickers have spoken to Edwards after re-signing Dane Tilse.
Lawler confirmed that Tilse has signed for a further season as Pickers set upon a major rehaul of their roster, which could involve signing up to two more former NRL players.
“We weren’t sure if Tilsey was going to commit again so his re-signing is great for the club and we have also had a chat to Joel,” Lawler said.
The Pickers are also favourites to snare former Knights, Canberra and Cronulla hooker Adam Clydsdale for 2018. Clydsdale appears likely to link with his brother Luke who is coaching the club’s reserve-grade side.
