Release sees Knights get their Mann
Dragons Den
GONE: St George Illawarra have released utility Kurt Mann, allowing him to immediately take up a three-year deal with Newcastle. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins
ST GEORGE Illawarra will continue to focus their recruitment efforts on finding a quality outside back after releasing utility Kurt Mann to immediately link with Newcastle.
Mann joined the Dragons from Melbourne in 2016, playing 62 games in three seasons, but his utility value saw him struggle to earn a regular starting spot.
The release allows the 25-year-old to take up a three-year deal with the club that first recruited him from Wilton in Queensland as a teenager.
It will leave the Dragons with valuable funds in their salary cap and three spots to fill in their top 30 after Nene Macdonald was also released over the off-season.
Club recruitment chief Ian Millward said the club remains on the hunt for a back to address the Dragons thin outside back stocks.
"We have been in dialogue with Kurt and his management for a long period of time," Millward said.
"He was offered a long-term contract and more security in regards to his playing minutes and being a starting player. We understood his desires regarding this, one he's been persistent about.
"At this point, we haven't found a suitable replacement – we're still on the lookout for someone – but we feel we're in a much better position financially, and we will be ready to move those funds when the right person becomes available.”
The Dragons have been strongly linked to Eels play-maker Corey Norman, perhaps as a long-term replacement for skipper Gareth Widdop.
Mann’s release will send those rumurs into overdrive but Millward said the immediate priority remains an outside back option.
"The market dictates a lot what you're looking for as well as clubs and player movement,” he said.
“We're still on the lookout for an outside back of some quality.”
Mann thanked the Dragons for allowing him to take up the pursuit of more regular starting minutes.
"I am very appreciative to the Dragons for allowing me the opportunity to shore up my long-term future in the NRL by agreeing to release me,” Mann said.
“It wasn't an easy decision, it has meant so much to have worn the red v jumper.
“I've formed many lifelong friendships over the years I've spent at the Dragons, and I wish them all the best in the coming season.”
Having spent most of his time in the top-grade as utility back, Mann found an unexpected new role in Paul McGregor’s middle-forward rotation last season.
It’s a switch that’s seen him strongly tipped to the wear the No. 9 for the Knights in 2019, with coach Nathan Brown believing he has a future at dummy-half.
“We identified Kurt as a player of interest quite some time ago,” Brown said.
"We believe he has the potential to become a hooker and his ability to play a range of positions is an added bonus in today's game.
“Kurt expressed a desire to secure a regular position and he'll be given every opportunity to do that.”
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5803439/release-sees-knights-get-their-mann/?cs=3713
