Newcastle Knights throw former Manly prop Josh Starling an NRL lifeline

LESS than a fortnight ago, Josh Starling was preparing to drag out his carpentry tools and look for a job, believing his 67-game NRL career was done and dusted.

Josh Starling will join the Knights for the 2017 season.

LESS than a fortnight ago, Josh Starling was preparing to drag out his carpentry tools and look for a job, believing his 67-game NRL career was done and dusted.

Unwanted after three seasons at Manly, the 26-year-old frontrower had met with Newcastle coach Nathan Brown more than a month ago. But like every other NRL club, he thought the Knights had gone cold on the idea of throwing him a career lifeline.

Then came the call that changed everything. And in the space of 48 hours, he’d negotiated a one-year deal and was on his way to Newcastle.

“I didn’t find out I was coming here until the day the boys started training,” Starling said.

“It was a pretty quick move. I was back in Wollongong poking around for a job and seeing what was around so I’m happy to be back playing footy.

Josh Starling will join the Knights for the 2017 season.

Armed with an unexpected opportunity, Starling says he is out to leave his mark during the pre-season and early in 2017 to win a contract extension.

“I definitely don’t want to be just one and done so hopefully I can have a good start to the season and get that (a new contract) out of the way early,” he said.

Not even the prospect of joining the wooden spooners fazes him.

“There is a lot of youth. There’s a lot of stuff to work on obviously but it’s a good young team,” he said.

“Browny wants to build a culture where you work hard and reap the rewards on the field.

“The guys are hungry which is something you need when you get to the point in your career when you don’t know which way it’s going to go. You need a bit of fire in the belly and these young kids have definitely got it.

“I watched the Safiti boys play last year a lot and in a team that didn’t go too well obviously, they were standouts.

“When they get bigger and better and a few more years under their belt, they are going to be something very special.

“This is a proud town with a lot of great history and I’m from the Illawarra and we used to have a good rivalry with Newcastle. To help bring that culture back with a lot of tough kids that come from the area would be something special.”

Originally published as Newcastle Knights throw former Manly prop Josh Starling an NRL lifeline