Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown has denied speculation that the NRL side are about to make a move for St Helens winger and Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson – but says the player has expressed a desire to head to Australia in 12 months’ time.
Makinson was spotted meeting his former Saints coach in Australia during an off-season break, fuelling rumours he may be about to quit Super League and head for Newcastle to link up with Brown once again.
The Knights coach has denied that is the case, however, telling the club’s official website: “My family and Tommy’s family have a good relationship from my time back in England. We caught up for a catch-up and Tommy has expressed an interest in coming to the NRL and living in Australia.
“He has a number of clubs he’s looking at and he asked me for advice. That’s pretty much what it was.”
However, Brown has revealed that Makinson’s ‘desire’ is to head to Australia at the end of the forthcoming 2019 season.
“Tommy is definitely playing with St Helens next year,” Brown said. “Tommy’s desire is to come out at the end of next year.
“Would we be interested in Tommy if we were looking at those positions? Certainly, he’s a terrific player but he’s got four or five clubs already interest in him.
“My advice to him would be to sit down with St Helens and organize something soon.”