Any clues on how we fit Adam Blair as well as every one else under the cap?
http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...tt-era-from-2012/story-fn2mcuj6-1226038873476
Melbourne Storm star Adam Blair tops Newcastle Knights' targets for Wayne Bennett era from 2012
That is the consensus from NRL insiders who believe
Bennett already has the framework for a successful team at Newcastle. A few key men and Bennett's own considerable influence are all that is needed.
St George Illawarra fullback
Darius Boyd is expected to follow Bennett to Newcastle and Cronulla's representative prop Kade Snowden has long been a target of the Knights.
Melbourne Storm backrower
Adam Blair is shaping as the No 1 target. However, Ryan Hoffmann, Joe Picker or Tom Symonds may also come under Bennett's gaze.
The $1m bounty is part of a lucrative $10m deal Bennett struck with mining magnate Nathan Tinkler before agreeing on Tuesday to
join the Knights.
Former Brisbane Broncos five-eighth and Bennett's son-in-law Ben Ikin said Bennett's ability to make players better was the key factor.
"Privately he's quite a funny bloke, what stands him apart, is that he genuinely cares for his players, when you're in his care, he really does go in to bat for you, he wants to help you become the best player and best person you can," Ikin told Triple M.
"Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday those blokes that don the jersey want to go out and die for him."
Taking the success at his past two clubs into account, and given Bennett's deal at the Knights includes a $500,000 bonus for every season they make the finals as well as $1 million for the first premiership he delivers, Tinkler might be dipping into his pockets on a regular basis.
Of course, there is a school of thought that Bennett has a much tougher job on his hands at the Knights than he did when he took over the Dragons in 2009. The Knights finished a disappointing 11th last season.
The Knights' roster is handy. They already have plenty of strikepower in captain Kurt Gidley, who has been a regular fixture in representative teams, and halfback Jarrod Mullen, who is in the running to wear the No 7 jumper for NSW this season.
It is widely known Bennett will take Dragons fullback Boyd with him when he leaves at the end of the season and it is believed that he could slot into the centres with Adam MacDougall and Junior Sa'u both off contract at the end of the season.
The five-eighth position could be a problem. Rookie Beau Henry was given first crack at the No.6 jumper this season before suffering an injury but it is understood that the former Dragons Toyota Cup Player of the Year was released by the club because Bennett didn't rate him.
Bennett has built his success at the Dragons on the back of prop Weyman. The Knights could deliver the master coach a similar platform to build a premiership on if Cronulla's Snowden heads up to the Hunter.
All this is missing is a strike backrower. Melbourne backrower Blair is the hottest property in the game at the moment. He has been strongly linked to the Tigers and wants a taste of Sydney life but could be swayed to join Bennett after playing under him for New Zealand at the 2009 World Cup.
Hoffman was forced out of the Storm as part of last year's salary cap scandal at the club and headed over to Wigan but only signed a one-year deal.
Symonds is off contract at the Sydney Roosters and is currently negotiating his future while Canberra is also in talks with Picker about extending his time at the Raiders.
Bennett seems to have no shortage of options to turn the Knights into a powerhouse. He may only need one to earn himself another million dollars.
