There’s been no shortage of interest in our boys this week.
The nib Newcastle Knights attracted plenty of media attention and we’ve pulled together some of it in case you missed it.
Searle gains Dubbo attention
He may not be a household name amongst Knights fans just yet, however back home in Dubbo he was a prestigious talent.
His name is Bayden Searle, a young halfback originating from the Western Rams in Dubbo.
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Searle was brought to the Knights on a train and trial basis last pre-season and impressed his coaches enough to spend the better part of last year in the Canterbury Cup, alongside the likes of Phoenix Crossland and Mason Lino.
The young livewire is relishing his chance to again train alongside New South Wales halfback Mitchell Pearce, telling Dubbo-based publication The Daily Liberal he is taking advice off him at every chance he can get.
"They're good to be around. Guys like (Aidan) Guerra and 'Pearcey' help a lot and don't let you fall behind," Searle said.
"It's great to be off his (Pearce's) hip and get those little tips and get to improve.
"You get to watch his control and how he's a leader."
Gardner throws support behind Johns statue
Wests Group and Newcastle Knights CEO Philip Gardner has officially thrown his and the Club’s support behind the push to have a statue of Andrew Johns erected at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The ‘Bronze for Johns’ campaign was started by Karlo Tychsen, who began lobbying for the statue by setting up a GoFundMe page with the aim of raising $50,000 to fund it.
The campaign has drawn the attention of rugby league legends, ex-Knights and the greater community, with Wendell Sailor, Nathan Hindmarsh, Bill Peden, Sean Rudder, Daniel Abraham, Willie Mason and Adam Woolnough all on the record as supporting the statue.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Knights captain Mitchell Pearce have also publicly offered their support, however until now, the Knights themselves have remained silent.
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That all changed this week, with Gardner stating he is all for the statue in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
“It's a wonderful idea and has our full support as a Club,” Mr Gardner said.
"There's no denying a statue of Andrew would be a terrific addition to McDonald Jones Stadium."
