Danny Levi prepared to work for Knights spot after Kurt Mann signing

Danny Levi is in a battle for the starting hooker role at the Newcastle Knights and he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and fight for it.

Danny Levi asked for a release from the Knights earlier this year. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Newcastle hooker Danny Levi asked for a release earlier this year, now he’s earning praise from coach Nathan Brown for learning how to “fight for his spot’’ in the side.

With Slade Griffin sidelined for much of next season after a knee reconstruction, Levi was the only recognised hooker in the Knights squad. But his position is back in limbo with new recruit Kurt Mann backed by Brown to train at nine.

Levi, who is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2020, had asked for a release early this year when he was playing reserve grade.

Brown knocked back the request then, encouraging Levi to bide his time and his chance came soon after.

Brown said many players overreact when they are dropped to reserve grade.

“A lot of young players in today’s game, they don’t want to wait around and take time, they want to get there yesterday,” Brown said.

Danny Levi asked for a release from the Knights earlier this year. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“There was a time when you were stoked to start for under-19s then you got to 23s then got to reserve grade and that was the progression we made. Most of us all got dropped back to reserve grade because in first grade you had a bad day, then you toughed it out in reserve grade for a fair period of time until you got a start again.

“Today, players get put back to reserve grade for whatever reason then first point of call is the manager to ring somewhere else and get a start somewhere else. That’s the cycle of young society today. That’s not Danny Levi, but society today.

“I think Danny from where he was last year to this year, I think he’s more interested to really work hard and fight for a spot.”

Brown is confident his young hooker is prepared to take on the challenge.

“At the moment, he’s probably our only genuine top hooker who’s played hooker all his life in a squad and that’s played first grade,” Brown said.

Danny Levi has a battle on his hands to win the Knights No.9 jersey. Picture: Getty Images

“Jamie’s (Buhrer) played numbers of positions, he’s more of a utility player; Kurt did spend a whole pre-season in Melbourne at dummy-half when they were looking to use him there and when they got an injury somewhere else, they moved him, which makes him so versatile.

“I would think with where Danny’s at today compared to where he was 12 months ago, Danny is more prepared to knuckle down and make some improvements and fight to become the best player he can.”

Following the addition of Mann on Monday, the Knights have one place left in their 30-man roster, which will remain open for a player from the junior ranks.

The club still has money in their salary cap, should a top-line player suddenly come on to the market, however Brown knows the importance of having incentive for up-and-comers to push their case for selection.

“We’ve certainly got a spot in our roster but we’re also mindful that we’ve brought a fair range of kids up who have been in the system for a couple of years now that we have some confidence in as well,” he said.

Kurt Mann joined the Knights from the Dragons. Picture: AAP

“You want to keep some spots for some of those guys. They’ve been playing some decent footy down with Scotty (Dureau, 20s) and Rory (Kostjasyn, reserve grade) and Toddy (Lowrie, former 20s coach) and they’ve certainly come into the system far more advanced than the last kids that come in a number of years ago.

“To keep your own kids you’ve got to keep the doors open for them.”

Mann arrived in Newcastle on Monday night and started training with the squad on Tuesday.

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Originally published as Danny Levi prepared to work for Knights spot after Kurt Mann signing