Fresh off a premiership success with the Melbourne Storm, Slade Griffin will have a new club in 2018 with a deal made to sign with the Newcastle Knights.
Confirming his departure today, the Storm utility is still only 26 but has endured three knee reconstructions in four years.
He battled his way back to become a regular on the Storm bench as their utility and his comeback to the sport was rewarded with the ultimate prize; a premiership medal.
Pleased to have worked under the tutelage of the elite like coach Craig Bellamy, hooker and captain Cam Smith and others, Griffin decided that the time for change was right.
The desire to play more minutes regularly factored into his decision and he feels like Newcastle is very similar to his own hometown back in New Zealand.
“The Knights is a great Club and I am looking forward to playing a big part in the team,” said Griffin.
“I have done my apprenticeship at the Storm under Cameron (Smith) and Cooper (Cronk) and I am ready to play a bigger role with more minutes.
“I am also looking forward to the lifestyle in Newcastle; I’m from a small mining town in New Zealand, so it will be great to come up there and help continue to rebuild the Club.”
Set to officially start with the club in late November, the signing of Griffin is one the club believe will bring them both versatility and leadership.
“Slade will provide versatility and leadership,” said the Knights General Manager of Football Darren Mooney.
“He will have a great opportunity to really cement a position and further his development as a player.”