Wayne Bennett has made his biggest mark yet on new NRL club Newcastle by ensuring Clive Churchill medallist Darius Boyd will follow him there from next year.
The Knights confirmed on Thursday St George Illawarra star Boyd will continue his relationship with Bennett by switching to the club for the
full four years of the master coach's reign.
Boyd followed Bennett from Brisbane to the Dragons in 2009 and was a major part of the joint venture club's breakthrough premiership last year.
The Knights lured seven-time premiership winning mentor Bennett in April following mining magnate Nathan Tinkler's takeover of the club, and Hunter Sports Group chief executive Troy Palmer said they were always confident Boyd would follow.
"Obviously they've got a very good relationship but with these marquee signings it always takes time to finalise the contract," Palmer told AAP.
"We were always confident and we want him at the club and he wanted to come.
"It makes it easy when both parties are committed."
Boyd will join big name signings Kade Snowden and Timana Tahu, while the club also recently locked up captain Kurt Gidley for four years and New Zealand international Junior Sa'u for two.
The overhaul of the Knights' roster has also seen backrower Corey Paterson's midseason switch to North Queensland, while hooker Isaac De Gois and half Beau Henry have been granted permission to speak with other clubs.
Legendary former Test No.9 Danny Buderus and Dragons utility Nathan Fien have been linked with Newcastle's new era.
"There's still some negotiation to be done with a number of players so it's too early to comment on any of those in particular," Palmer said.
"We're still working through our roster and there's still some positions that we're looking to fill.
"Obviously you're not going to sign too many Darius Boyds but there's still positions."
Bennett will, in the meantime, attempt to become the first NRL coach to win back-to-back premierships since he achieved the feat with Brisbane in 1992-93, ironically with consecutive grand final wins over the Dragons.
Next year he will begin contemplating a record by taking a third club to the title.
"He's obviously got a commitment to St George and that's his main focus at the moment," Palmer said.
"But we do have contact with him and we do have an understanding of what he's after for next year and that's what we're trying to achieve."
- AAP
Darius Boyd. Photo / Getty Images
Wayne Bennett has made his biggest mark yet on new NRL club Newcastle by ensuring Clive Churchill medallist Darius Boyd will follow him there from next year.
The Knights confirmed on Thursday St George Illawarra star Boyd will continue his relationship with Bennett by switching to the club for the
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