NEWCASTLE coach Nathan Brown has described the luckless circumstances which he believes scuppered the club’s pursuit of veteran forward Matt Scott.

The Knights were close to signing Scott on a big deal until the Origin and Test prop recommitted to North Queensland, where he will play out his career.

Brown revealed to On The Couch With Sterlo it was a bizarre twist of fate which led to missing his big fish.

“With Matt Scott it was a bit circumstantial and didn’t help,” Brown said.

Round 19

“We were hoping to bring his wife down who was pregnant at the time, but she couldn’t fly.

“One of our big (recruitment) things is trying to sell the town of Newcastle, make the people realise what a great town it is ... for whatever reason we couldn’t get Matt to town, and as it eventuated his preference was to stay in North Queensland.”

Newcastle coach Nathan Brown. Source: News Corp Australia

The Knights then missed out on signing young utility Jack Bird, who appeared close to joining Newcastle until Brisbane entered the race and stole him out from under their nose.

“We thought we were 50-50 with Jack Bird, because five-eighth was a favoured position for him,” Brown said.

“We identified Jack Bird a long time ago because we’ve got Kalyn Ponga as a long-term fullback, and (Bird’s) a running six type player.

“It was going to be hard to get Jack out of Cronulla, but once the Broncos came in (they’re) a hard club to compete with.”

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FORAN SEEKS BELLAMY AUDIENCE

Fairfax Media has reported off-contract Kieran Foran has or will request a meeting with Craig Bellamy when the Warriors travel to Melbourne for their Anzac Day clash.

NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent said on Monday night Bellamy was keen to poach Foran as a replacement for champion halfback Cooper Cronk, but the Storm’s hierarchy had talked the coach out of it.

But Fairfax says Foran is still keen to entertain the notion of moving south next year and will meet with Melbourne when he’s in the city.

Foran’s family still lives in Sydney, suggesting he will more than likely sign with a NSW club when he leaves the Warriors.

CLUBS RORTING HIA LAWS?

Rugby league legend Peter Sterling has suggested NRL clubs are using the game’s strict concussion protocols to their own benefit.

NRL clubs are being forced to take players off the field for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) test if they show signs of concussion. It results in a free interchange.

Sterling is worried savvy clubs have figured out how to benefit from the laws.

“I saw something on the weekend that looked extremely coincidental at best that related to a player being interchanged,” Sterling said.

“The HIA happened to a player two minutes after the (interchange) card had been put back down, that player goes off this one comes on, it’s a free interchange.”

On The Couch With Sterlo panellist Corey Parker agreed NRL clubs are probably taking advantage of the free interchange laws.

“There’s a system in place to protect players’ welfare, and unfortunately there’s an avenue that can be ... it’s happening, and you’re silly to think it isn’t,” Parker said.

TOP DOG’S ADVICE TO YOUNG CHOOK

Canterbury captain James Graham has thrown his support behind embattled Rooster Latrell Mitchell as the youngster faces a second week out of the NRL side.

Mitchell has been named 18th man this week after being axed from the team, despite being considered one of the game’s best young players.

“I think he’s on a path to greatness and this is just a minor blip in what’s going to be a great career,” Graham told NRL 360 of Mitchell.

“Sometimes you need things like this, this little setback can help spur him on to bigger and better things.

“There’s not many players that go through a career where it’s red carpet all the way through. I think this is an important learning curve in his career.

“These setbacks build character, they build different aspects of your personality that might help you.”

GRAHAM DEFENDS EMBATTLED LICHAA

Canterbury captain James Graham has defended under-fire hooker Michael Lichaa as speculation about his future rages.

Lichaa’s position in the Bulldogs team appears under threat since rookie Matt Frawley has come into calculations.

Frawley has been playing off the bench, moving into the halves in place of Moses Mbye who knocks Lichaa to the bench.

Lichaa is under plenty of outside heat but Graham says he’s playing fine.

“I’ve got to say with Michael Lichaa, a lot of people have been speaking negatively about him, I think he’s been outstanding for us,” Graham said on NRL 360.

“Last week he was in the top five of tackles made in the NRL, so it’s work ethic.

“People forget he’s only young.

“If you look at the hooker situation in the NRL, experience is key. I think he’s the second youngest hooker behind (Kaysa) Pritchard.

“He’s still very young, he’s learning a difficult position, he wants to play 80 minutes, he wants to be out there all the time.

“The way we’ve got it at the minute, the balance is good.”

‘HE COULD PLAY FOR AUSTRALIA’

Cronulla backrower Wade Graham is in such good form for the Sharks, club teammate Luke Lewis wants him to wear the green and gold for next month’s Anzac Test.

Lewis said he also believes Graham should walk into Laurie Daley’s NSW Origin side.

“I love Wade, I’ve played a lot of footy with Wadeo at Penrith and now Cronulla,” Lewis said on NRL Tonight.

“He’s a class act, he’s definitely an Origin player. I’d be very disappointed if he didn’t get picked in game one but I’m sure he’ll be there.

“If not he could probably even get an opportunity to play for Australia, the way he’s playing at the moment.

“He’s a big part of our side, a very aggressive player, good with the ball in the hands, and he’s a pretty good leader as well.”

SEZER’S MESSAGE AHEAD OF DCE CLASH

Aidan Sezer has issued a message to his Canberra teammates as he prepares for a showdown with Manly half Daly Cherry Evans — give me the ball.

Sezer wants to start running the ball more and wants it to start this week against the Sea Eagles.

“It’s probably something I’ve got to do a bit more of and I’m making a conscious effort to do that so hopefully I can have plenty more opportunities to do so,” Sezer told Fairfax Media.

“I’m a bit more comfortable with my role within the team now and the boys are always encouraging me to run.

“If they’re saying it they can see opportunities there so I’m happy to take them. I do enjoy running the footy and hopefully I can do a bit more of it.”