Securing a forward of David Klemmer’s ilk could be the key to Newcastle unlocking the best of Kalyn Ponga and the rest of the Knights’ spine, according to coach Nathan Brown.
The attempt to bring Klemmer to Newcastle is continuing, after the Test prop met with Canterbury NRL officials a fortnight ago to discuss a release.
Brown claimed on Monday he was in the dark over the negotiations, which have been left to chief executive Phil Gardner and recruitment manager Troy Pezet.
However the Knights coach has made no secret of the fact Newcastle have the desire and salary cap space to land a big-name forward out of the off-season and into 2019.
“Front row is just an area we would all agree … we need to get better at,” said Brown as the Knights returned to pre-season training on Monday.
“With some players in key positions, with Mitchell (Pearce), Kalyn and Connor (Watson), we feel like we’ve got some guys there who if they get on the front foot regularly enough they can cause the opposition some problems.
“But to be in those positions consistently is something we need to do. And those big front rowers have an impact on your kicking game and other parts of your game as well.
“We certainly had some conversations with a number of players who missed out on that position and if another player comes up of that ilk we’ll certainly be looking at it.”
The Knights have already signed Queensland State of Origin prop Tim Glasby for next season, however he is seen as more of a defensive workhorse with one of the best tackling techniques in the game.
In Klemmer they would land one of the most powerful ball-runners in the NRL, having averaged 174 metres per game in the Bulldogs’ pack last season.
It comes after Newcastle missed out on Brisbane prop Tevita Pangai Junior, but halfback Pearce last week claimed he’d spoken to Klemmer about his excitement of arriving in Newcastle.
“We’ve made no secret that (we want) one or two players of that front-row status, if they’re not a Test player they have the potential to be a Test player for our forward pack,” Brown said.
“It’s a position certainly we need to strengthen and with our cap we plan to strengthen.
“Hopefully over the next four or six eight weeks something falls our way in that area.”
Meanwhile Ponga are Watson expected to be fit to return to full training in early December, as they recover from surgeries.
Brown remains undecided on whether he will swap the pair’s positions in 2019, to allow Ponga to play at five-eighth and Watson at fullback.