sport, local-sport, Joel Edwards, Newcastle Rugby League, Cameron King, Maitland, Paul Carter, Liam McAvoy, Todd Edwards
Beaten 2019 grand finalists Cessnock's hopes of winning this year's Newcastle RL premiership are set to be given a boost with the Goannas closing in on the signatures of former Knights, Raiders and West Tigers back-rower Joel Edwards and former South Newcastle premiership-winning prop Cameron King. Both players have been in negotiations with the club for a number of weeks with the Goannas quietly confident of landing the duo to bolster a high-powered forward pack. Along with Maitland, Central and Kurri, Cessnock has been a big off-season mover in the player market after the loss of several players from last year's grand final squad headed by retired forwards Brendan Hlad and Dan Metcalf and utility Paul Carter, who has joined Macquarie. They have already snared former Knights players Tyler Randall, Tyrone Amey and Brayden Musgrove along with ex-Lakes grand final players Cody Charles and Nick Newman. English prop Liam McAvoy, who has been doing pre-season training with the Knights' NSW Cup squad, is another significant recruit for coach Todd Edwards. The likely additions of Edwards, a Cessnock junior with 108 NRL games to his credit, and King to a forward pack that already boasts Randall, Amey, McAvoy and locals Reed Hugo and Kori Barber gives the Goannas a powerful look. Coach Edwards confirmed the club is negotiating with Edwards and King but claimed talks are ongoing. New-look Macquarie Scorpions announce seven signings Newcastle Rugby League: Paul Carter signs one-year deal at Macquarie for 2020
NEGOTIATING: Former NRL forward Joel Edwards, left, could be set to join the Cessnock Goannas for the coming Newcastle Rugby League season. Picture: Jonathan Carroll
Beaten 2019 grand finalists Cessnock's hopes of winning this year's Newcastle RL premiership are set to be given a boost with the Goannas closing in on the signatures of former Knights, Raiders and West Tigers back-rower Joel Edwards and former South Newcastle premiership-winning prop Cameron King.
Both players have been in negotiations with the club for a number of weeks with the Goannas quietly confident of landing the duo to bolster a high-powered forward pack.
Along with Maitland, Central and Kurri, Cessnock has been a big off-season mover in the player market after the loss of several players from last year's grand final squad headed by retired forwards Brendan Hlad and Dan Metcalf and utility Paul Carter, who has joined Macquarie.
They have already snared former Knights players Tyler Randall, Tyrone Amey and Brayden Musgrove along with ex-Lakes grand final players Cody Charles and Nick Newman.
English prop Liam McAvoy, who has been doing pre-season training with the Knights' NSW Cup squad, is another significant recruit for coach Todd Edwards.
The likely additions of Edwards, a Cessnock junior with 108 NRL games to his credit, and King to a forward pack that already boasts Randall, Amey, McAvoy and locals Reed Hugo and Kori Barber gives the Goannas a powerful look.
Coach Edwards confirmed the club is negotiating with Edwards and King but claimed talks are ongoing.
