Disgraced former Sydney Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall will face off against his former club next month after being thrown a lifeline by Newcastle.
The ex-New Zealand international has inked a deal until the end of the 2019 NRL season to resurrect his playing career with the struggling Knights.
He will be available immediately for coach Nathan Brown however will miss the next two to three weeks with a hamstring injury.
He is expected to be back in time for the Knights’ round 20 clash against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
“It’s a fresh start and chance to really get to know the community and get the respect of the boys and the club,” Kenny-Dowall said.
“I’m looking for a fresh start and I’ve got new motivations and goals to come here and make a difference. It’s time to get on the field and get stuck in.”
Kenny-Dowall was sacked by the Roosters after pleading guilty to cocaine possession earlier this month.
The 29-year-old escaped conviction but was placed on a good behaviour bond after being caught with 0.29g of cocaine at a Sydney nightclub.
The former Roosters premiership winner said he was looking forward to escaping the fishbowl existence of Sydney and being part of the Knights rebuild under Brown.
“They are young and there’s some really talented boys in there,” Kenny-Dowall said.
“I’ve played in some big games and had a lot of experience in Test matches and stuff like that. I’m hoping to bring a bit of a cooler head and a bit of experience to a young team.”
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
How about Jack Bird? My little birdies have told me he just might (*might*) end up at Brisbane next year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He's often maligned but he's been a good servant for the Roosters. Hopefully he can go well at the Knights. Was it 2010 where he had a blinder against the Tigers in a semi final including a length of the field try in about the 157th minute?
BeastieBoy
Guest
SKD what a wonderful and loyal player he was for the club over 13 seasons. Remember him playing with a broken jaw in the GF. Then the club gives him the shove to make room for Tedesco they had to do it now cause they had the excuse. There is no loyalty from clubs. It went years ago. The game loses a lot because of this the way the cap is structured. They need to fix it
Dutski
Roar Guru
Not great if it's true. Either way you'd think no club would touch him now. Sacked by three clubs in 4 years... Career over aged 25. Hope he gets professional help- looks like he needs it.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
All I did was suggest that the heading was amusing, Giving him a life"line".
Jacks
Roar Guru
I will tell you something this is only a story but might be true. Paul Carter actually owned the cocaine that SKD was caught with and gave it to him when he saw the cops. Which is why the roosters sacked him
Pickett
Guest
All the best to ya SKD. Great servant at Easts. I'll always see him as a Rooster.
R N
Roar Rookie
Does anyone expect butterfingers to catch anything thrown at him weather it be ball or a lifeline? When he got done my immediate thought was - Gee whiz, his friends he was with that night must not watch his games - why else would they allow him to carry 1/2 a gram! I can imagine on a big one he would be going great then half way through the night for no reason whatsoever, under no pressure he would just drop that stuff everywhere and change the complexion of the night for everyone...
Rob
Guest
If SKD has something to offer the Knights youngsters then good on him. The Knights are really moving forward and becoming competitive but lack experience. Its unfortunate they let such a huge half time lead go against the Dragons last week. But this week, you would be mad not to pick them as the victors against the struggling Tigers at the Knights home ground. All they need is a couple more experienced players, one a true leader and captain, and the youngens(eldest player is 21 before the SKD signing) will be the clubs future that will take it back to a competitive match winning side again in 2018. Local boys, local backbone, just as it was when Johnsy, Harrogan, Buderus, Albert, Gidley, O'Davis and MacDougall ran onto the field and won 2 premierships in under 10 years of the club reforming.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Have you been a naughty boy OB? I've been modded twice in two days. Maybe they're tightening up their algorithms?
Dutski
Roar Guru
I knew you'd have the facts, Jack! ;-)
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Moderators need to change their bed sheets , I'm sure they'll find they are wet .
Jacks
Roar Guru
They keep saying Gordan will be sticking around for another year. To play wing or reggies, its either that or he will retire and move back to the Tweed. He has said he doesn't wanna move his family again for another club
Dutski
Roar Guru
He's been so good for the chooks this year. I would suggest he'll get busted for something after another anonymous tip-off (although Flash is such a champion bloke they'd have to plant something on him)... but as Jack 'The Facts' Schiller would no doubt point out- he's off contract at the end of the season. Champion footballer and pays the price for being one of the guys that consistently produces at a high level without being an absolute game breaker. I'm not sorry we're getting Teddy, for sure, but would love to keep Flash as well. We could play two fullbacks, couldn't we???
kk
Roar Pro
Like your thinking Dutski. Let's hope Sir Shaun can deliver in the 50+ games in which he may be given the opportunity to do so. Spare a thought for Michael Gordon. What is happening there?
Big Daddy
Guest
I like a good conspiracy theory. Some one at the sharks is sure to go. Buying Dugan, upgrading fifita,prior and Gallen signing for another year. Someone is up for the high jump. And Maloney who is not being an upgrade. Something fishy at shark's.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Pfft. You and your "facts"...
Jacks
Roar Guru
Its a solid theory but the Roosters didn't need to sack him to create the space he was off contract anyway all they had to do was let his contract runout and they get the cap space anyway.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I'm not usually one for the tinfoil hat (even if the guy on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_foil_hat is my absolute doppelganger...), but am going to venture in this time. Here's my logic... 1. SKD is contracted to the Roosters 2. The Roosters need to free up salary cap space to fit in Tedesco 3. SKD is busted with cocaine after a tip off 4. Roosters give Skidsy the spear 5. Salary cap space win! So... I wonder who the concerned public citizen who tipped off the ladies and gents in blue could have been. Hmmm? Or is this just a wonderful example of our law enforcement services working hand in hand with the community to rid our night time party spots of the scourge of drugs?