Knights clearer on MacDougall's future than Mad Dog
BY ROBERT DILLON
KNIGHTS veteran Adam MacDougall remains undecided about playing on beyond 2008, but Newcastle officials
have indicated there will be no position for him at the club next season.
MacDougall, who turned 33 in May, has been debating whether or not to hang up the boots after an illustrious career in which he has represented NSW and Australia and played in both of Newcastle's grand final triumphs.
But the Knights have little room to move under their salary cap for next season and apparently believe they have sufficient depth out wide.
"Adam is off contract, and as it stands, the Knights have not made him an offer for 2009," Knights strategic development manager Keith Onslow said.
"Whether that changes over the next four to six weeks remains to be seen."
MacDougall's agent, George Mimis, confirmed that suggestions the Knights would not re-sign MacDougall were "probably fairly accurate" but "it was a bit premature" to discuss what other options he had to consider.
MacDougall said yesterday he had "been umming and aahing" about what he would do next year and had already knocked back approaches from rugby union clubs overseas.
"There were a couple of offers there with timeframes attached, and I decided not to take them up," he said.
"I suppose I'm being indecisive, but you have to make sure you're making the right decision.
"My wife wants me to hurry up and make up my mind, but it's a big move, whatever I decide to do.
"It's a massive decision, and it's not one that I'm willing to make while our season is at such a crucial stage.
"I just don't want to take my focus off what we're trying to do here."
He said he was "realistic" enough to accept the Knights might not retain him next season.
MacDougall said he still felt physically capable of playing on next season and had some "interesting" options to consider, such as playing union in Japan or Europe.
"But I'm not thinking about that too much," he said. "That's what my manager is for. I'm trying to do the right thing by the club and my teammates.
"I don't want my focus clouded by self-interest.
"I honestly want to give 110 per cent and help us get into the finals."
Cleared to return from a calf injury against his old club South Sydney tomorrow, MacDougall said if this was to be his last season with Newcastle, he wanted it to be a memorable one.
"Like any player, I want to finish on a positive note," he said.
"I don't want my last game to be in Brisbane [in the last round]."
Newcastle already have Wes Naiqama, Junior Sau, Keith Lulia, Cooper Vuna, Akuila Uate, James McManus and MacDougall's younger brother Luke on their books for next season, so they are well stocked for outside backs.
They are also confident of signing Bulldogs prodigy Arana Taumata, who is reportedly versatile enough to play in the centres.
Meanwhile, Onslow has held further negotiations with Darryl Mather, who manages off-contract prop forwards Jesse Royal and Matt White.
Both players are keen to stay with the Knights, but the club's salary-cap situation means they would probably have to take pay cuts to do so.
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