Keep waiting Knights fans
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/dogs-s...lacement/9e8e4746-9b57-4a62-93b8-e8bfc77f804e
Canterbury's impasse with star David Klemmer appears set to drag into next week as the NRL club waits on the ramifications of the league's coaching merry-go-round.
Klemmer is likely to be granted a release from the final two years of his contract to immediately take up a more lucrative deal at Newcastle, beginning next year.
And while the Bulldogs have been heavily linked with premiership-winning Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa, the club is intent on waiting on the fallout of the recent coaching saga.
With Ivan Cleary, Des Hasler and Michael Maguire starting at new clubs - plus Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold still a chance of swapping - the player market remains in flux. Two of those clubs, Brisbane and Penrith, have already begun roster moves with Broncos forward Josh McGuire and Panthers prop Trent Merrin reportedly released on Wednesday. Other front-rowers such as Burgess brothers Tom and George from South Sydney, both of whom are available after 2019, have also been mentioned as ideal replacements.
However the possible recruitment of Napa looms as the club's best shot at replacing the star power of an incumbent Kangaroos prop in Klemmer. Napa, whose current deal also expires at the end of next year, is understood to be in the United States with the Roosters' team celebrating their grand final triumph.
Klemmer is believed to want out of the club because of an unhappiness with his contract, as well as personal issues that would be helped by moving out of Sydney.
The Knights have made no secret of their desire to lure the NSW Origin prop to the Hunter, having previously attempted to poach him on three occasions.
The 24-year-old isn't due back from annual leave until the second week of December, however Canterbury boss Andrew Hill is confident the issue will be resolved soon.
"We continue to work in a timely manner, having the best interests of our football club. We hope to have the matter resolved as soon as we can for all parties," Hill told AAP.
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Stick with me... but could the Bulldogs be trying to snooker the Knights here, by forcing them to effectively confirm their roster with still a question mark over Klemmer? In other words spending up as much as they can (as if Klemmer ISN'T coming), and then waiting them out.
If Knights get too close to the cap with spending, maybe it'll be a case of "Ohhh too bad David, Knights can no longer afford you at the amount offered".
Dogs no longer look like the bad guys because the Knights simply don't have the coin to spend on him, hence forcing him to remain at the Bulldogs.
IF that happens to unfold, it's a masterstroke.
