Roosters enforcer Dylan Napa emerges as an X-factor in Knights’ chase for Mitchell Pearce
SYDNEY Roosters enforcer Dylan Napa has emerged as the possible X-factor in the Newcastle Knights’ bid to sign Mitchell Pearce.
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SYDNEY Roosters enforcer Dylan Napa has emerged as a possible X-factor in the Newcastle Knights’ bid to sign Mitchell Pearce.
While Napa is contracted until the end of 2019, the 25-year-old could join the Knights next year if the Roosters permit him to sign with another club.
The Roosters are chasing young South Sydney back-rower Angus Crichton and letting Napa go to the Knights early could benefit both clubs.
Pearce and Napa are good mates and Pearce recently posted a photo on Instagram of the two catching up while on holiday in New York.
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Pearce wore the brunt of criticism for the Roosters’ disappointing finals exit that led to Cooper Cronk’s signing.
But the performances of Napa and fellow front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves also came under heavy scrutiny at the Bondi club.
Napa would add grunt to a Newcastle pack that recently acquired veteran forwards Aidan Guerra, Chris Heighington and Jacob Lillyman.
The Knights also have some gun youngsters coming through, including the Saifiti twins and young Brisbane recruit Herman Ese’ese.
If the Knights can’t sign Napa early, they are prepared to wait until he is available.
Pearce and Napa are managed by the same player agent, Steve Gillis, who is due to meet with the Knights this week when Phil Gardner, the boss of the powerful Wests Group that now owns the Knights, returns from business in New Zealand.
Pearce met with Nathan Brown in Newcastle last Friday and it is understood he went home impressed with the coach’s vision for the future.
While the Knights are yet to make an official offer to Pearce, money is not an issue.
Newcastle still have the best part of $2 million available in their salary cap for next year.
And they have also signed Pearce’s former Roosters teammates Guerra, Connor Watson and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
While Manly are said to be in the box seat to sign Pearce, they are still trying to offload players despite releasing Blake Green to the New Zealand Warriors.
The Daily Telegraph has been told the Knights have been approached about their interest in signing Manly pair Darcy Lussick and Brian Kelly.
But the Knights want to sign a top playmaker and a prop — and Pearce and Napa fit the bill perfectly.
Newcastle chased hard for Matt Scott and James Graham but couldn’t convince either to make the move.
While Napa doesn’t have their experience, at his best he is one of the game’s most feared enforcers.
Against South Sydney last year, he pinned a target on Sam Burgess and convincingly came out on top.
It was rated one of the most outstanding performances from a front-rower in the modern game but some people at the Roosters question his consistency.