Rugby league legend Andrew Johns says he would be excited to work with halfback Luke Brooks if he was to join Newcastle before next season.
The Wests Tigers have been actively denying speculation their 26-year-old halfback is on the verge of leaving Concord with two years remaining on his contract.
But Wide World of Sports last week revealed Brooks is highly likely to jump ship and sign with the Knights after veteran playmaker Mitchell Pearce gets a release to move to France and play in the Super League.
Johns – Newcastle’s best ever player and the eighth rugby league Immortal – recently announced a return to the Knights in a coaching consultancy role.
As part of the job he will working closely with whichever halfback is there come Round 1 next year.
“Look, if I work with Mitchell, I think I know how to help there. I’ve worked with him at the Roosters and NSW,” Johns told Danny Weidler for the Sydney Morning Herald.
“He knows how the game is played and I’ve been one of his strongest supporters.
“Now, if he’s not there and Brooks is there, that’d be really exciting. It’s a challenge I like. He looks like he needs a change, and getting out of Sydney would be good for him.
“I think he can really add a lot to the club. He can play great. He needs to find that consistency.
“I could help him with when to pass, when to run, when to kick but, also, I think the players around him need to understand his strengths and how to get the best out of him. I think it would be exciting to work with Luke.”