The nib Newcastle Knights have added strength and toughness to their pack for next season and beyond, with confirmation of the signings of back rowers Adam Elliott and Jack Hetherington to three-year deals.
27-year-old Elliott brings 113 games of first grade experience to the Knights, having debuted with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs back in 2016.
The former NSW Country and Indigenous All Stars representative played his junior football for the Tathra Sea Eagles and is a graduate of famed Rugby League nursery St. Gregory’s College, Campbelltown.
In 2020, he was nominated for the prestigious Ken Stephen Medal in recognition of his work to raise funds and awareness for the Autism Community Network.
The signing of Hetherington represents a homecoming for the 26-year-old, who played his junior football with the Valentine Devils before relocating to the south-western NSW town of Young as a teenager.
The son of former Canberra Raiders forward Brett Hetherington, and the nephew of Australian and NSW representative Brett Mullins, Hetherington has featured in 43 first grade games for Penrith, the New Zealand Warriors and the Bulldogs since making his debut for the Panthers in 2018.
The hardworking powerhouse forward suffered a season ending shoulder injury in round three of 2022, forcing him to spend the remainder of the year in the rehabilitation group.
Newcastle Knights GM of Football Danny Buderus said these two signatures will bolster the depth of our playing roster.
“Both players will be a welcome addition to our club next season," Buderus said.
“They bring versality, leg speed and strong physical presence to our pack, which are key attributes and skillsets for the modern game.
“They share a hard-working attitude and a will to win, they both compete on every moment and that’s a great fit for the Newcastle Knights."
Hetherington and Elliot will relocate to Newcastle at the end of the season once their current club commitments have been fulfilled.
The Newcastle Knights look forward to introducing them to the Knights faithful supporters, in particular our loyal members at McDonald Jones Stadium.
