NEWCASTLE continue to aim high with their rebuild, with CEO Matt Gidley declaring the Knights will do “everything within the club’s power” to lure Test halfback Cooper Cronk north if he decides to play on in 2018.

Cronk is yet to make a call on his future beyond moving to Sydney next year, and on Wednesday acknowledged that his options in the harbour city were running out as clubs shape their rosters for next season.

The Knights are yet to land a true marquee star having already approached Jack Bird, Matt Scott and Kieran Foran this season.

But with club management meeting for “very recent talks” with Cronk’s agent George Mimis, Gidley has told The Newcastle Herald that their interest in the Storm veteran is genuine.

Round 19

“Are we interested in Cooper Cronk? Absolutely.” Gidley told Fairfax Media.

“Everyone is aware that he is looking to relocate and move closer to Sydney next year. We will certainly have a conversation with Cooper, and if he is interested in playing next year then we will do everything within our power to try and get him to our club.”

Whether Cronk would be willing to help rebuild a two-time wooden spooner in his autumn years, as well as commute from Sydney given he is moving to be with fiancee Tara Rushton, remains to be seen.

As well as the current Queensland and Australian No. 7, the battling Hunter club has been eyeing Bulldogs skipper James Graham.

The Englishman is under contract at Canterbury but has been suggested as a possible casualty of their looming roster overhaul.

Gidley acknowledged that while he remains signed to the Bulldogs any approach to Graham would be difficult, but hailed both he and Cronk as ideal signings for Nathan Brown’s struggling side.

“Cooper and James, in terms of the qualities they bring to a club on and off the field, are exactly what we are after,” Gidley said.

SHARKS CIRCLE SAINTS STAR

Channel Seven says Cronulla will table a monster deal worth around $1 million a season to lure Dragons star Josh Dugan to The Shire in 2017.

That big money-offer is reportedly in the same ballpark as what club was prepared to spend on young utility Jack Bird, before losing him to Brisbane.

The report also says the Sharks are prepared to give Dugan the opportunity to play fullback, which has been a sticking point in his current negotiations with the Dragons.

The spanner in the works will be young Val Holmes, who also has his heart set on Cronulla’s No.1 jumper.

Dugan’s contract has been one of the hot topics in rugby league in recent months.

The Dragons hierarchy want Dugan to play centre next year and are only prepared to offer him money worthy of the position, despite the player and coach Paul McGregor continually stating Dugan is an NRL fullback.

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Josh Dugan celebrates a try with Kangaroos teammates last week. Source: Getty Images

He’s also a NSW and Australian representative centre.

A fractured cheekbone suffered during last week’s Anzac Test could complicate the matter further, with Dugan sidelined for Friday’s local derby between the clubs.

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WHY HAYNE’S GOT CROKER COVERED

The NRL 360 panel agreed on Wednesday Jarryd Hayne has Jarrod Croker covered when it comes to a NSW centre spot.

Both players are thought to be in the mix for Laurie Daley’s team but show co-host Ben Ikin said as a Queenslander he would rather defend Croker than Hayne at centre.

NSW legend Ben Elias thinks Hayne has the X-factor that the Blues need.

“The last time they won a State of Origin series Jarryd Hayne was in the side,” Elias said.

“If it wasn’t for Jarryd Hayne in that series ... the things that he did in those three games that were brilliant.

“If you look at the game highlights, there were games saved and he was the match saver.”

RLPA WANTS DRUG REHAB UNIT

The Rugby League Players’ Association reportedly wants the NRL to create a Rehabilitation Panel and Integrity Committee to deal with illicit substance abuse and use.

Fairfax Media reports the RLPA is pushing for the governing body to give greater support to players caught using drugs.

The revelation follows a horror week for the sport in which five members have been charged with drug offences.