Beau Scott has declined to guarantee he will remain at Newcastle next year despite being contracted until the end of 2017.
Scott has been heavily linked with an early exit from Hunter Stadium and a return to Sydney.
He signed a contract extension with the Knights late last year but is believed to be attempting to activate a get-out clause.
The backrower did not put the rumour to bed when asked if he would remain at his current club.
“It’s a bit of a complicated situation at the moment and I’ll talk about it when the time’s right,” Scott told AAP.
The Knights have stated they would consider any requests for a release on compassionate grounds and it has been reported he is seeking to activate his get-out clause for family reasons.
Newcastle, the only unbeaten team in the competition after four rounds, face a tough ask to keep their current squad together with Dane Gagai, Kurt Gidley, Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden off contract at the end of 2015.
Scott has been heavily linked to a return to former club St George Illawarra as well as the Wests Tigers and Brisbane.
The Dragons would view Scott as a like-for-like replacement for Penrith-bound Trent Merrin.
Scott is highly regarded by Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who installed him as NRL All Stars captain this year and mentored him during his stint at the Dragons and the Knights.
The 30-year-old played in the Dragons’ 2010 premiership side under Bennett and followed the master mentor to Newcastle three years later.
Last week Brisbane great Gorden Tallis said he wouldn’t be surprised if Scott followed Bennett to Brisbane and he has been touted as a possible replacement for Sam Thaiday.
Thaiday is under pressure to lift his performance and played from the bench in the Broncos’ past three matches.
Bennett has challenged the Queensland and Test representative to lift his game since his poor showing against South Sydney in round 1.
Broncos great Darren Lockyer said on Sunday the club faces a battle to fit Thaiday into next year’s salary cap and he needed to prove his worth.
“I love Sam and I played a lot of footy with Sam so I’d love to see him at the Broncos,” Lockyer said on Channel 9.
“But in this modern game there’s a salary cap and it makes things difficult.
“Sam’s done a lot in the game so he commands big dollars and I think the next month the coach wants to see a response to him playing off the bench and hopefully he can do that.”
Mike L
Guest
As a kiwi I don't know how far it is from Sydney to Newcastle, but surely its not that far. I cant understand why poor old Beau Scott wants to move back to Sydney for his family. I thought (and I may be wrong) that Newcastle is only an hour or so north of the city? If this is the case I would be telling him to suck it up and find another excuse to get out of his contract. I am always sceptical when players want out of their contracts to move cities 'because of their family'. Look at Ben Barba, he moved from the Bulldogs to the Broncos so he could be 'closer to his family'. Then after 1 year when the Broncos didn't want him he managed to put aside that need to be closer to his family and move back to Sydney. Bulldogs fans could be asking why he couldn't suck it up 2 years ago...
Benedict Arnold
Guest
This had me in stitches TB. Wouldn't we all love to have a blank cheque book funded by the broncos? Massive donkey logo in the corner with all cheques cleared by friday...
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Beau won't go to Brisbane. Too many second rowers there as it is. He wants to be back in Sydney anyway from what all the reports are indicating. I reckon the Souths may have a go to replace the mongrel they lost from Teo leaving. Raiders will offer 1.7 billion per year and be turned down. Roosters are set for mongrel and 2nd row fowards. Sharks aren't looking for another ageing 2RF. Tigers are a possibility, might even be a good fit. No chance of going to the dogs. Manly are a possibility though I think they're more in the market for a prop. Eels don't need him. Panthers don't need him. Dragons could have a go but I think they're in the same boat as manly.
Devout Saint
Guest
I do think we need Beau Scott. He is tough, he is the kind of player that want to have beside them on the field. I would swap Thompsom for Scott.
Charles NSW
Guest
I feel the same Ken he never impressed me as he often gave penalties and at the wrong time. Although the Dragons could use his skills they have enough 2nd rowers who are improving. For the money he is not what is required at the moment for the Dragons.
Ken
Guest
Never cared for him as a Dragons supporter, his ability to drop the ball from anywhere on the field (admittedly mostly fixed long ago) and the lack of any genuine attacking ability besides being fairly quick for a 2nd rower, just never appealed to me. He is not a like-for-like switch with Merrin, I'd be very disappointed if the Merrin money was instead spent on Scott.
Mike L
Guest
It would be a strange decision to let Thaiday or Gillet go in favour of Beau Scott. Beau Scott is old and must be just about on to his 'last' contract whereas Thaiday still has a couple of contracts left and Gillet is only young. As much as I like Alex Glenn, he needs to fulfil his potential, he shows glimpses but needs to start consistently performing at a higher level than he currently is.
chrisn
Guest
Agree with Boyd but he was a pea heart who wasn't putting where in my opion Scott would play his heart out where ever he goes
The eye
Guest
Well,last week in his 'drama queen' interview Wayne was quoted as saying ' I love Beau Scott'..next thing we know Sam Thaidays fighting for his career..Gillette was starting from the bench..supporters grumbling about Glenn...pretty sure Wayne will try..
G
Guest
The Dragons have missed an enforcer since he left, would love to see him back in the Red V, he would lift the younger forwards.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Darren "$250K" Lockyer...
Sideline Comm.
Guest
He won't go to the Broncos. He has family needs apparently, so he wants to go back to Sydney. And I don't think the 'you would want him if he's there' argument works actually. I thought it did once, but then Newcastle got Boyd. I certainly neither liked nor wanted him once he was there.
Charles NSW
Guest
I do not think the Dragons need Beau Scott. There other positions that they need to spend money on rather than 2nd rowers.
chris n
Guest
Im sure you would warm to him if he was in your side, personally I don't think he is much chance of going to the broncs anyway could be wrong but. I
eagleJack
Roar Guru
"But in the modern game there's a salary cap and it makes things difficult". Classic line from Lockyer! Well actually Darren there was a salary cap around for your entire career. It's just that it was more of a guide than a restriction for the Broncos with Talbot & Co flouting it on a regular basis.
djcooper
Roar Guru
Call me crazy then because I don't want Beau Scott anywhere near a Broncos jersey.
chris_n
Guest
You would be crazy not to want Beau Scott in your side, Gagai has the potential to be the best centre in the game needs a lot of work on his defence.
Mike L
Guest
I'm happy for Dane Gagai to come back to the Broncos, but not so keen on Beau Scott... Dane Gagai would be a good replacement for a retiring Justin Hodges. A centre pairing of Gagai and Copley wouldn't be too bad...