Nathan Brown has addressed reports the Club has expressed an interest in signing Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey.
The nib Newcastle Knights coach confirmed the 22-year-old is a player the club is keen on.
With Danny Levi the only experienced hooker under contract beyond this season, the Knights are in the market for another No.9.
But just because there’s an interest in the Shark, it doesn’t mean Levi’s future is in doubt.
“Danny is playing very well and that’s most important and secondly he’s got a contract,” Brown said.
Brown addresses Brailey rumours
“Danny generally plays his best football when he’s under pressure, obviously we’re leading into Jayden Brailey, he is a player we do have an interest in.”
“It doesn’t change Danny’s future at the Knights. The main thing is for Danny to play well.
“At the moment he’s the only recognised hooker on contract. It’s a part of our roster moving forward that we need to add a player and Jayden Brailey is a player of interest.”
Brailey is contracted to the Sharks until the end of 2020 but has reportedly been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs following the retention of his younger brother Blayke.
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With the hooking role one Brown needs depth in, the opportunity to potentially add a quality to the 2020 roster is one the coach is keen to explore.
“It’s a spot in our roster, we’ve only got one recognised person,” Brown continued.
“We’ve got young Luke Huth, who’s coming along nicely, who’s on contract, but whether he’s going to be ready next year, that’s the big question, he’s developing nicely.
“The last thing we want to find ourselves in a situation is playing younger players before they’re ready, it doesn’t help their careers, we’ve seen that in the past.
“It’s such an important position and Jayden is a very different player to Danny.
“The key is Danny playing well and if someone was likely to come, Danny performs his best when he’s under some sort of pressure.”
