Matt Soper-Lawler has declared "I'd go anywhere for a game".
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Like many players in the rugby league world, wedged between the NRL, an already cancelled NSW Cup season and local competitions on hold because of the global coronavirus pandemic, the 23-year-old Maitland product finds himself in a bit of limbo.
It comes just three months after Soper-Lawler represented the Knights at the NRL Nines in Perth.
Returning from the NRL club to play for the Pickers in the Newcastle Rugby League appeared a likely scenario, but crowd restrictions may see that campaign grounded for 2020 meaning the former Queensland Cup winger could be forced to travel further afield to get on the park.
Soper-Lawler, who took up a train-and-trial deal with the Knights before Christmas after a combined three seasons between Sunshine Coast and Souths Logan, says the forced break has also raised questions about alternative careers.
"I'd go anywhere for a game. It just depends on what competitions would be going ahead nearby," Soper-Lawler told the Newcastle Herald.
"Group 21 [Upper Hunter competition] would probably be the closest place to have a run. Might not be a bad idea to have a year off either if nothing goes ahead and get started on a career outside of footy."
Soper-Lawler played in the first and only round of NSW Cup, with the Knights defeating the New Zealand Warriors 20-16 at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 14.
He was joined in the side by Matt Cooper, Luke Sharpe, Lyndon Hills, John Toleafoa (Lakes) and Zac Hosking (Central), who also have Newcastle RL links.
"There's still heaps of hurdles to get across before we get back playing, but I'd definitely be happy to travel anywhere," Cooper, a Lakes junior and last year's East Tigers winger, said.
"I've got nothing really holding me down in Newcastle. I haven't really given any other destinations a thought [yet]."
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