IPSWICH Jets co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker will apply for the Newcastle post in a move that would bring their radical tactical approach to the structured world of the NRL.

The Walker brothers have expressed interest in the Knights job, adamant they are now ready for the NRL after a five-year apprenticeship in the Intrust Super Cup.

Knights hierarchy are hunting a long-term option after the sacking of Rick Stone on Monday, with former Dragons coach Nathan Brown once again linked with an NRL resurrection in Newcastle.

media_camera Darren Lockyer and Ben Walker during their time at the Broncos.

But the Walker duo have emerged as a left-field option after their remarkable efforts in transforming the embattled Jets into a powerhouse in Queensland’s premier competition.

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The Walkers believe their unique methods are perfectly suited to Newcastle and would shake-up an NRL competition they believe has become tactically predictable.

“We could bring a refreshing style to the NRL,” said Ben Walker, who played 135 NRL games for the Broncos, Manly, Northern Eagles and Souths between 1995-2006.

“Shane and myself have bypassed a number of opportunities in the past, but now we believe the time is right to take the next step.

“I’m not sure how Newcastle feel, but we are interested in the job and we’re putting our hands up for it.

“Newcastle has great synergies to the Jets. They are working-class, rugby league towns, the people of Newcastle love their rugby league and they would embrace the style that we play.

“I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever our methods would work in the NRL. We’d love a chance with the Knights because the way we coach would work better in the NRL than it does at Ipswich.”

The Walker siblings have extensive knowledge of NRL systems. The duo played a combined 284 first-grade games across four clubs, with Shane a clever utility and Ben a goalkicking playmaker who succeeded Allan Langer at the Broncos in 1999.

But it is in the world of coaching where the pair have made waves. Since taking over Ipswich in 2011, they have turned the Jets into finals regulars and an attacking juggernaut that defies many footballing conventions seen weekly in the NRL.

The Jets rarely use decoy runners. They have mastered short kick-offs and ignore completion-rates, with the Walkers believing tiring opponents via time in possession is more important.

“We took over a wooden-spoon team and we’ve made the semis every year with basically the same roster,” Ben said.

“You need a lot of courage to coach our style of footy.

“To the average punter, it might look risky, but our style is designed with a conservative mindset.

media_camera Shane Walker will apply for the Knights coaching job with brother Ben. Homebush in Sydney.

“We have worked on our style for five years and we’re comfortable with the way we coach — we’re ready to be head coaches in the NRL.

“We’re very comfortable with how Ipswich is playing and if we were take a team over like the Knights, we feel we could turn them around fairly quickly.”