Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith is apparently the man responsible for Knights forward Clint Newton seeking and gaining a release from the club and today signing with the Melbourne Storm.
Newton held a press conference yesterday to explain his actions and announce his intentions to move on. Accompanied by his golfing father Jack Newtwon, Clint spoke of feeling unwanted by his long standing club and that Brian Smith has made his intentions clear – that the Knights forward wasn’t being considered in future plans.
Client Newton also reportedly had heated discussions with Newcastle Knights boardmember and Footy Show star – Paul Harrogan; before pulling the pin on his ties to the club. The spotlight has now moved to other Newcastle Knights forwards Adam Woolnough and Josh Perry – as the rumour mill kicks into overdrive. Surprisingly Newcastle fans flooded talk back radio this morning in support of the moves – feeling a clean out at Newcastle is well overdue.
In other NRL player movement, Jamie Soward was today signed by the St George Illawarra Dragons, moving from the Roosters to immediately start for the Dragons this week in the halves. The Saints released Luke McDougall who joins his brother at Newcastle and will also go close to getting a run in the side this weekend.