from Fox Sports
Reynoldson joins Knights
July 20, 2004
NEWCASTLE has helped fill the void created by the departure of Ben Kennedy next season, signing Melbourne forward Kirk Reynoldson to a four-year NRL deal.
The Knights announced the Reynoldson coup at their weekly press conference in Newcastle today.
The 25-year-old Reynoldson, originally from the Queensland country town of Wandoan, admitted the lure of playing in a rugby league-oriented town was a major factor in his decision to leave Melbourne.
"Coming from west Queensland, I've grown up with rugby league and that is something I have missed here in Melbourne," Reynoldson said.
"Playing at EnergyAustralia Stadium, even as the enemy, has always been an experience I've enjoyed, so to run out as part of the home team is something I am definitely looking forward to.
"I've really enjoyed myself at Melbourne and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that the Storm have given me, but the opportunity in Newcastle is a different one and too good to pass up."
The 25-year-old also admitted the chance to play for a "high-profile" team such as Newcastle, under Queensland coach Michael Hagan, was high in his thoughts.
"Playing alongside the likes of Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus and Matthew Gidley is a real plus and working under the Queensland Origin coach is another attraction for me," he said.
"Like all Queenslanders it's a dream to play Origin and I am hoping that if I can perform in a high-profile team like the Knights, I might be a little closer to achieving that dream."
Hagan, who will be without the services of forwards Kennedy (Manly), Matt Parsons (retirement) and Michael Ennis (St George Illawarra) as well as international winger Timana Tahu (Parramatta) next season, said he was pleased the club got its man.
"I think that Kirk is one of the most improved players in the competition over the last two seasons and I'm hoping that we will see further improvement after he joins our club," Hagan said.
"Certainly the loss of Ben Kennedy and Matt Parsons next year had left a hole in our forwards stocks, but I am very confident that Kirk will complement our team extremely well.
"My expectations for the team are very high next year and I know that we will have the squad to meet those expectations."
AAP
Reynoldson joins Knights
July 20, 2004
NEWCASTLE has helped fill the void created by the departure of Ben Kennedy next season, signing Melbourne forward Kirk Reynoldson to a four-year NRL deal.
The Knights announced the Reynoldson coup at their weekly press conference in Newcastle today.
The 25-year-old Reynoldson, originally from the Queensland country town of Wandoan, admitted the lure of playing in a rugby league-oriented town was a major factor in his decision to leave Melbourne.
"Coming from west Queensland, I've grown up with rugby league and that is something I have missed here in Melbourne," Reynoldson said.
"Playing at EnergyAustralia Stadium, even as the enemy, has always been an experience I've enjoyed, so to run out as part of the home team is something I am definitely looking forward to.
"I've really enjoyed myself at Melbourne and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that the Storm have given me, but the opportunity in Newcastle is a different one and too good to pass up."
The 25-year-old also admitted the chance to play for a "high-profile" team such as Newcastle, under Queensland coach Michael Hagan, was high in his thoughts.
"Playing alongside the likes of Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus and Matthew Gidley is a real plus and working under the Queensland Origin coach is another attraction for me," he said.
"Like all Queenslanders it's a dream to play Origin and I am hoping that if I can perform in a high-profile team like the Knights, I might be a little closer to achieving that dream."
Hagan, who will be without the services of forwards Kennedy (Manly), Matt Parsons (retirement) and Michael Ennis (St George Illawarra) as well as international winger Timana Tahu (Parramatta) next season, said he was pleased the club got its man.
"I think that Kirk is one of the most improved players in the competition over the last two seasons and I'm hoping that we will see further improvement after he joins our club," Hagan said.
"Certainly the loss of Ben Kennedy and Matt Parsons next year had left a hole in our forwards stocks, but I am very confident that Kirk will complement our team extremely well.
"My expectations for the team are very high next year and I know that we will have the squad to meet those expectations."
AAP
