Off-contract Sydney Roosters forward Boyd Cordner ticks all the boxes for the Newcastle Knights
NEWCASTLE coach Nathan Brown has made no secret of his interest in the market — specifically for a player of Boyd Cordner’s calibre.
The mass departure of experienced players has left the Knights skint on depth across the paddock, but Cordner ticks all the boxes for the rebuild.
The 23-year-old Roosters star comes off contract at the end of 2016 and Brown admits the club is keen to lure the representative second-rower back home, but his asking price could be a major roadblock.
“Boyd Cordner is a local product, he’s a very good player and he’s young so he fits a lot of ticks for our club,” Brown told foxsports.com.au.
“We’re not interested in buying older players at the moment. Boyd is probably old experience-wise but he’s only 23 or 24.
“He’s so young and he’s local. He’s a player that ticks a lot of areas where we’re looking to go. “Finance will play a part in that, but he definitely ticks a lot of boxes if you’re looking at what he brings to this club.”
Cordner was born in Taree and played junior football with the Knights before he was spotted by Roosters recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan in 2008.
He was quickly snapped up on a three-year deal that Newcastle could not match.
Once again, money could stand in the way of the Knights getting their man.
Cordner’s manager Dave Riolo denied that the Knights have made a formal offer.
However, Brown has worked with Cordner during Origin camp as the Blues assistant coach and believes he is perfect for where the club is heading.
Although the Knights are rumoured to have a stash of cash left from offloading the likes of Kurt Gidley, Beau Scott, Tyrone Roberts and Chris Houston, Brown said the club is not in a position to compete for star signings.
NEWCASTLE coach Nathan Brown has made no secret of his interest in the market — specifically for a player of Boyd Cordner’s calibre.
The mass departure of experienced players has left the Knights skint on depth across the paddock, but Cordner ticks all the boxes for the rebuild.
The 23-year-old Roosters star comes off contract at the end of 2016 and Brown admits the club is keen to lure the representative second-rower back home, but his asking price could be a major roadblock.
“Boyd Cordner is a local product, he’s a very good player and he’s young so he fits a lot of ticks for our club,” Brown told foxsports.com.au.
“We’re not interested in buying older players at the moment. Boyd is probably old experience-wise but he’s only 23 or 24.
“He’s so young and he’s local. He’s a player that ticks a lot of areas where we’re looking to go. “Finance will play a part in that, but he definitely ticks a lot of boxes if you’re looking at what he brings to this club.”
Cordner was born in Taree and played junior football with the Knights before he was spotted by Roosters recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan in 2008.
He was quickly snapped up on a three-year deal that Newcastle could not match.
Once again, money could stand in the way of the Knights getting their man.
Cordner’s manager Dave Riolo denied that the Knights have made a formal offer.
However, Brown has worked with Cordner during Origin camp as the Blues assistant coach and believes he is perfect for where the club is heading.
Although the Knights are rumoured to have a stash of cash left from offloading the likes of Kurt Gidley, Beau Scott, Tyrone Roberts and Chris Houston, Brown said the club is not in a position to compete for star signings.
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