David Klemmer ends long association with Canterbury after signing five-year deal at Newcastle

David Klemmer knows he could have stayed at Canterbury and negotiated a similar deal to the one he eventually took at Newcastle, but something changed at the end of the season.

• How do the Knights stack up
• How Pearce got Klemmer over the line

Some people will still say David Klemmer moved for the money.

Yes, a five-year contract worth $4.3 million with the Newcastle Knights played its part.

Klemmer knows he could have stayed at Canterbury and negotiated a similar deal that would have taken him down the path of being a one-club player, but something changed at the end of the season.

He took time to think about where his head and body were at after “24 months that have been pretty tough at (Belmore)” and a change felt right.

He knows how it looks to Bulldogs fans, but he is confident in why he chose to move.

David Klemmer has signed a five-year deal with the Knights. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

“A lot of things have changed at the (Bulldogs),” he said.

“I’ve got an enormous amount of respect for the club, what they’ve given me and my kids as well. I’ve got no hate or anything towards the club. I’m very thankful for what they’ve done for me.

“They’re passionate supporters and I’ve got a lot of respect for them as well.

“It’s an opportunity. It’s a work opportunity for me to come up here and develop as a footy player and as a person as well.

“People in those shoes to get an opportunity to move somewhere for a job or a better opportunity to earn and look after their family, they’d be chomping at the chance as well.”

The deal the Knights put on the table came with a nice lifestyle change, too.

Moving to Newcastle gave Klemmer, his wife, Chloe, and three young boys Cooper, Jaxon and DJ, security, but also a chance to start a new life — and the kids in school — in a coastal city away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

David Klemmer wanted to move to an area to raise his family.

He’s left behind the familiarity of where he grew up, so his kids can experience something different.

“I could have stuck it out and stayed for the same money and probably extended for longer as well,” Klemmer said.

“I just thought the situation I’m in, the age I am now, where my kids are at as well, age wise, it’s perfect to start them in school and they get up here and start a new life.

“I’m a kid from western Sydney, I’ve never had a lake or a beach close by. To give my kids the opportunity to live up here and close to (beaches) and play sport up here as well. I’m pretty excited for it.”

The roster has been building nicely for Newcastle the past two seasons.

Klemmer is their third big November signing in as many years after securing Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce at this time in 2016 and 2017.

Pearce played a part in Klemmer coming to the club, making calls to his NSW teammate to talk the place up.

David Klemmer in action for Australia against New Zealand. (AAP Image/David Rowland)

Things like that can be the most important part of recruitment of big name players for coach Nathan Brown.

“If we didn’t have Kalyn or Pearcey I don’t think Klem would have considered coming to be honest,” Brown said.

“Good players become your best recruiters basically, because the … best players genuinely want to win.

“Kalyn took a shot. We were last and in a bad situation but he took a shot at us. Then for whatever reason Pearcey took a bit of a shot.

“Then as it unfolded we’ve got Timmy (Glasby) … young Jesse (Ramien) had a bit of a shot with us; Edrick (Lee) from Cronulla. Now Klem comes.

“I’m happy for the players who took a chance when we weren’t any good as well as the younger ones who’ve had a tough time.”

Many expected the Knights to improve next season from their 11th place finish in 2018 based on the recruitment even before Klemmer.

David Klemmer has left the Bulldogs after five seasons.

Now they have him, and fans are excited about the prospect of featuring in finals again.

The talk around Newcastle headquarters isn’t about pressure, though, it’s about meeting expectation.

“Klem coming along now has created more expectation and hype, as he should,” Brown said.

“He’s going to help our key players, who are good key players, get on the front foot and play some footy.

“That expectation brings a bit of added pressure but as coaches I think we like it and I think the players, like Pearcey and that, they’re used to that and they like that.

“It’s a real win for us and see how it unfolds.”

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