The chain of events which started with the failed pursuit of Wigan Warriors man and ended with star’s positional switch

Newcastle Knights are having to make a lot of bold decisions as 2023 approaches.

The club has allowed two young spine players in Tex Hoy and Jake Clifford to join Hull FC but have reportedly signed two Super League stars for 2024 in Will Pryce of the Huddersfield Giants and Kai Pearce-Paul of Wigan Warriors who is expected to make his England test debut on Saturday against Greece.

The club have thus far failed to bring the pair in prematurely.

The Knights have also been linked with Luke Brooks of the Wests Tigers with Mitchell Moses being chased by the Tigers along with Wigan’s John Bateman.

However, their endeavour to bring in Brooks, which started after the departure of Mitchell Pearce to the Catalans Dragons, has thus fair not come off as was the case with another of their major pursuits going into 2023 in the shape of Wigan star Bevan French.

Many in the Newcastle area believed that French was a done deal till Wigan secured him to a two-year deal with an option for two more.

This has left the Knights looking elsewhere for 2023 as they look to re-jig their spine.

They are reportedly keen on playing Kayln Ponga in the halves moving forward which is where French’s ability to come into the side as a fullback would have been key for the club.

However, after failing to bring in French, they turned their attentions to Manly Sea Eagles’ Reuben Garrick.

Garrick filled the void at fullback for the Sea Eagles when Tom Trbojevic picked up another injury.

After shining in the role, the Knights hoped to tempt him to the club on fullback money – more considerable than the winger money he is on at the Sea Eagles.

However, in an attempt to keep him, Sea Eagles have made him an offer of their own.

They will turn Garrick into a centre in 2023 and offer him a pay rise as consequence.

The deal would see Garrick tied down to the club for the next four years and move into the centre subsequently earning more money according to the Daily Telegraph.