Macquarie coach Steve Kidd reckons Scorpions recruit and former NRL player Paul Carter will slot right into his Newcastle Rugby League plans for 2020.
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The 27-year-old, who had two seasons with Cessnock featuring September's grand final, put pen to paper at Peacock Field last week ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Carter had been in talks with several Newcastle RL clubs, including Central, before opting to sign a one-year deal for the 2017 premiers and 2018 wooden spooners.
Kidd feels the stability of lining up in the back-row will only help Carter thrive at the Scorpions, who again missed the semis last season.
"We'll look at playing him [Carter] in the second-row," Kidd said.
"I think he'll suit the style I want to play and it's where he wants to play. The last two years he's been all over the shop [position wise]."
Kidd is hopeful Carter's experience will rub off on a predominately young Macquarie forward pack.
"It was unexpected but he's a good pick up for us, especially after missing out on Sam Mataora [Maitland] and Abs [Daniel Abraham] retiring," the Scorpions mentor said.
"We've got a lot of guys around that 19-to-22 age mark in our forward pack so hopefully he can pass a bit of that experience on."
Kidd expects Carter to attend training in the coming weeks having undergone multiple surgeries on an infected elbow over the Christmas and New Year period.
Also in the Macquarie squad, fullback Matt Simon recently shifted to Group 21 side Muswellbrook.
Meanwhile, Central welcome back 2017 Newcastle RL rookie of the year Jake Maizen to St John Oval this year following stints with Ron Massey Cup clubs Asquith Magpies (2018) and St Marys Saints (2019).
The Butcher Boys have also recruited the likes of former Knights back and Queensland Cup winner Dylan Phythian, Lakes pair Jack Kelly and Jamie Ghoulmieh, Macquarie's Randall Briggs, Souths' Tim Christie as well as Cook Islands representative Uti Baker (Wests).
However, the 2020 seasons of Central duo Luke Harragon and Bryce Kennedy remain in doubt because of knee injuries.
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