Newcastle have secured their best halfback since Andrew Johns’s retirement after Trent Hodkinson signed a three-year deal with the Knights.
While the recruitment of the NSW halfback is a coup for the Knights, it is a massive blow for Gold Coast Titans who are still without a senior playmaker for next NRL season following Daly Cherry-Evans’s backflip.
The Knights were in the market for a big-name player, with the club set to lose senior members Kurt Gidley and Beau Scott next year and after granting Joey Leilua a mid-season release to join Canberra.
“Trent’s signing is a major coup for our club,” Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said.
“Trent is the current NSW halfback and has proven on many occasions, in grand finals and Origin matches, his ability to steer his team to victory.
“Our club has a young and talented backline in place and we look forward to Trent assisting our team to realise their potential.”
The Knights have not boasted a big-name playmaker since rugby league Immortal Johns retired in 2007.
Since then the Knights have made the semi-finals just three times and not finished higher than seventh.
Hodkinson’s arrival will put the future of Knights half Tyrone Roberts under a cloud.
Roberts still has a year to run on his contract but the Knights may allow him to negotiate elsewhere for next year.
The Gold Coast shapes as a possible destination for Roberts with the Titans desperate for a playmaker.
Their recruitment plans were thrown into turmoil when Cherry-Evans backed out of a deal to join the Titans and sign a “lifetime” contract with Manly.
After believing they had landed Cherry-Evans, the Titans allowed five-eighth Aidan Sezer to sign with Canberra and the Queensland club is in desperate need of a halves partner for young gun Kane Elgey.
The Titans this week reportedly tabled a two-year $800,000 contract to Hodkinson however he turned it down to sign with the Knights.
Despite being the Blues’ current playmaker – and will line up in the State of Origin decider in Brisbane on Wednesday – Hodkinson was squeezed out of Canterbury because of salary cap restraints.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has favoured investing in young playmaker Moses Mbye instead of re-signing Hodkinson.
Despite Hodkinson’s loss, the Bulldogs will still boast a potent halves pairing next year with Mbye to partner former NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
The eye
Guest
Sharks have had to beat disgruntled Broncos wanting to join the club off with a stick over the years..bought Beale,Ennis and Barber ..Taylor no doubt is knocking Lyle Gormans down as we speak pleading to join his buddies..he'll go good with Maloney..
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I believe it gets your blood pressure up, while also putting you to sleep. A bit like arguing with you actually.
Renegade
Roar Guru
The mail going around is Sandow will be at the Warrington Wolves next year.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
4 words, Jay: Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I wonder what stillnox and Red Bull is like. I might have to try it. For science.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
He means Mr "Stillnox and Red Bull, I did nothing in Coffs but the club punted me" puts pushing for his mates and ahead of pushing for the best available player
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Titans want nothing to do with Sandow
Jay C
Roar Guru
Don't try and lump your $hitty club on us
Jay C
Roar Guru
I am not sure what you mean
planko
Guest
Jay C your missing something aren't you. DCE could not get a run up there. Looks like he wont get another one cause the sensitive Genius wants to play with his friends.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Yeah but playing for Manly is like playing for Queensland. Imagine if Queensland played Manly in an exhibition match. NSWmen wouldn't know who to cheer for.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I hope he doesn't go to Manly. Imagine Manly having 2 Queensland halves. Just goes to show you the depths to which NSWRL has sunk.
planko
Guest
Ash Taylor learn more from playing with DCE and Andrew Johns or Neil Henry and Kane Elgey ?
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I'm glad he signed with the Knights instead of Titans. I know the Titans desperately need a good half, but they also need a player the fans can rally behind. Whoever the Titans sign as their marquee man needs to be a Queenslander. Simple.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I was thinking Sandow would be a good fit for the TItans, but now I think they need someone with a bit of stability and consistency. Especially given the recent revelations about the culture of footy players on the Gold Coast.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Possible. I would prefer to see Ash and Kane given a crack. You still have Mort there as well for some experience. The last thing you want is to be the Tigers and have all these young guns and no one leading them, but I think Ash and Kane could go well in the medium to long term.
fazed
Guest
Jay Sandow could come cheaply. Although listening to parts of the game last night, while he good in the attatck dep't he still came up with some bad reads especially in defence.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Thanks goodness. Now he won't be going to Titans. I hope they get Ash Taylor. He and Elgey could be massive together.
MAX
Guest
It would be fitting for Trent to leave Belmore with a premiership.
The eye
Guest
Punt Hodkinson but keep Reynolds ??? Knights have done well definitely need some invigoration..