Knights close to signing Wade
BY BRETT KEEBLE AND JAMES GARDINER
02 Nov, 2011 04:00 AM
MEREWETHER Carlton premiership-winning second-rower Mark Wade is close to finalising a one-year deal with the Newcastle Knights.
The powerfully built 21-year-old was instrumental in the Greens record-breaking undefeated season in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union and named the competitions player of the year.
The Knights were one of three clubs, along with premiers Manly and the Canberra Raiders, to express an interest, but his preference was to stay in Newcastle, where he is studying a double degree in surveying and engineering.
He met with Knights assistant coach Rick Stone a fortnight ago and is likely to put pen to paper on a second-tier contract this week.
It is all sounding pretty positive at the moment, he said. There are a just a couple of things we need to confirm.
I havent really thought too much about it.
I have been pretty full-on with uni and have been trying to get it done.
But when I do think about it seems a bit surreal.
It definitely exciting and a great opportunity.
Knights football operations manager Warren Smiles said the clubs coaching staff were impressed with Wades athleticism and hoped to strike a deal with him this week to give him an opportunity to hone his skills by training with the NRLs full-time squad during the pre-season.
Were trying to finalise a second-tier deal with him, so thats all still in the pipeline, but hopefully we can have that done by the end of the week, Smiles said.
He said Wade appealed as a project player in the mould of utility forward Mark Taufua.
Former Knights coach Brian Smith took a gamble on Taufua in 2007, and The Waratahs and NSW Country representative back-rower went on to play 67 NRL games for Newcastle in the past five seasons. The Knights granted Taufua a release from the final year of his contract and he has signed a two-year deal with Cronulla. The Knights kick off their 2012 pre-season campaign tomorrow with fitness testing and medical assessments at the university. Wade has not played rugby league since his early teens in Dubbo.
Like Taufua, he is expected to be blooded in the Knights NSW Cup side. Taufua made his first grade debut in round seven of his first season.
● Former Knights, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Sharks and Storm outside back Luke MacDougall, the younger brother of retired Knights international Adam MacDougall, has signed a one-year deal with Canterbury and began pre-season training with the Bulldogs on Monday.
MacDougall returns to rugby league after sitting out the 2011 season despite his decision to cut short a stint with English rugby union club Saracens in March.
MacDougall started his career with Cronulla in 2002.
Lukes a quality player with 70 NRL matches under his belt, Bulldogs coach Jim Dymock said. Former Warrior James Gavet also signed on with Canterbury, while winger Michael Lett re-signed for a further season.
