Newcastle Knights turn their attention to Kieran Foran after Jack Bird flies north
Newcastle will turn their attention to luring Kieran Foran with one of the biggest deals in NRL history after missing out on Broncos signing Jack Bird.
The Knights were the favourites for Bird's signature until Brisbane came in with a four-year, $4 million offer. It's understood Bird was poised to commit to the Knights until a large third-party deal came through to sweeten the Broncos deal.
The Sharks utility is the latest recruitment target to slip through Newcastle's grasp following unsuccessful overtures to North Queensland prop Matt Scott, Cronulla front-rower Matt Prior and Melbourne forward Dale Finucane.
Newcastle are armed with a huge war chest which will become larger still when they finalise a termination payment to Jarrod Mullen. Having missed out on Bird, officials will now shift their attention to Foran, who has made a successful comeback for the Warriors.
It has taken Foran just two matches to establish himself as the most sought-after playmaker on the open market, with Newcastle joining a host of clubs including the Warriors, Canterbury and Melbourne chasing his signature. Storm star Cooper Cronk may play on in Sydney next year, but most clubs view Foran as a longer-term investment.
The former Kiwi international was the man of the match last weekend against former club Parramatta, his second starring performance following his return against Gold Coast. The Knights believed they had sufficient funds to chase Foran and Bird, but the latter's decision to shift north will allow them to up the ante in their pursuit of the former Manly half.
Foran was on a deal worth about $5 million over four years at the Eels before he sought a release due to personal problems. The Knights are preparing to pitch a deal in that vicinity in the belief they will be able to rebuild the club around him.
Foran has engaged veteran player manager Sam Ayoub to handle his affairs in the biggest indication yet that he won't remain with the Warriors. The 26-year-old is grateful for the support the club has given him, particularly that of CEO Jim Doyle. However, his mentor and godfather, Don Mackinnon, said Foran would contemplate a shift back across the Tasman in order to be closer to his young family.
"There is definite interest there," Mackinnon told Fairfax Media last week.
"The Warriors have been very supportive and we appreciate what they have done. The main focus for Kieran is stability and his family."
The Knights have already signed Cowboys wunderkind Kalyn Ponga from next year with a view to playing him at fullback. They believe the addition of Foran and Ponga to a young side that has been competitive this season could take it to the next level.
Newcastle are also aiming to bolster their forward stocks with an approach to another Warrior, Ben Matulino. The former Kiwi international has fallen out of favour with coach Stephen Kearney and the Knights believe he could return to his best form in the Hunter. The 28-year-old is now able to participate in contact training in his bid to return from injury but a first-grade return is some way off.
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