The coach overseeing Liam Knight’s return to rugby league in Australia says NRL clubs would be “stupid” not to take a second look at the utility forward as he continues to power through games while ignoring the sledging coming from the other side of the fence. Knight is three games into his Aussie comeback for the Cessnock Goannas in the Newcastle Rugby League’s Denton Cup competition after cutting short his stint at UK Super League club Hull FC.
The 31-year-old previously played at Manly, Canberra, South Sydney and Canterbury and Goannas coach Harry Siejka believes he could easily return to the top level. “He’s played three games and punched out 60-plus minutes each time, which for a big man is pretty impressive, and missed just the one tackle,” Siejka said.
“We’ve played him prop and lock and he’ll probably settle into that 13 role now because he’s got some ball-playing ability. He’s been really good for us playing-wise and just great around the club.”
Liam Knight is back in Australia playing for the Cessnock Goanas. Image: Danika Mason/Supplied
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Asked if a return to the NRL was realistic, Siekja said: “I haven’t had that conversation with Liam so I’m not sure his exact plans. I know he’s got a good job and he’s getting married (to Channel 9 league host Danika Mason) at the end of the year but I’m sure there’s interest there.
“Any NRL club would be stupid not to have a look at a bloke like that. He’s still got plenty to offer in my opinion. We’d hate to lose him if anyone came knocking and I’ll be surprised if they don’t.”
Knight asked Hull FC for a release just three games into his second season, with coach John Cartwright explaining it was a “heart and head” decision to return to Australia. “He was honest in the end. His heart and his head wasn’t around spending the full season here and it was a pretty easy decision in the end,” Cartwright said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, if your heart’s not in it, it’s too tough a game to play.”
Liam Knight in action for Cessnock Goanas. Image: Supplied
(Getty)Liam Knight ‘laughs off’ jibes from fans
Knight, who proposed to Mason in October last year, returned to Sydney and is commuting weekly to Cessnock for games. Danika and Knight’s good friend, Souths forward Jai Arrow, were in attendance for his Goannas debut last month.
His high-profile relationship hasn’t escaped the attention of local footy fans in Newcastle. “It’s country football, mate. You get a few blokes who top themselves up and want to shout out things but I don’t think it worries Liam,” Siejka said. “He just laughs it off and gets on with playing the game.”