Alex McKinnon is a great kid who’s more like my son, writes Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett

EXCLUSIVE: Wayne Bennett is one of the toughest men in footy, but even he was hit hard when one of his stars broke his neck in a horror tackle.

“I WANT to tell you about Alex McKinnon, one of the best kids you’ve never met.

Because the hardest thing right now is busting to do something for Alex and his family, and the realisation you can’t … this lonely feeling of helplessness.

So I thought the best I could do was share my insights to a wonderful young man, to our relationship and trust.”

ALEX McKinnon remains in an induced coma with lung complications likely to keep the Newcastle Knights forward in a Melbourne hospital until the end of this week.

A second operation last Thursday was required to assist his breathing and recovery from fractured C4 and C5 vertabrae’s, suffered in a tackle last Monday night against the Melbourne Storm.

In an emotional column, written for The Sunday Telegraph, Knights coach Wayne Bennett spoke about his endearing relationship with the 22-year-old he affectionately he calls his ‘son’.

“All my players are important to me, but we just have a special chemistry,’’ Bennett writes.

“That’s the price you pay in relationships – the greater the relationship, the greater the pain.’’

On Sunday afternoon, McKinnon’s team-mates will take the field at what is expected to be a near sold-out Hunter Stadium.

READ THE EXCLUSIVE WAYNE BENNETT EXCLUSIVE COLUMN HERE PLUS LEAVE YOUR MESSAGES OF SUPPORT.

News_Rich_Media: Newcastle Knights forward Alex McKinnon was taken to a Melbourne hospital at half-time after getting his neck caught in this awkward Jordan McLean tackle.