David Klemmer has hit out at claims he had his nose out of joint and was left fuming during the pre-season after being left out of the Knights' leadership group following Mitchell Pearce's decision to relinquish the captaincy.
The Knights' Kangaroos prop was even the centre of wild speculation several weeks ago that suggested he wanted out of Newcastle after coach Adam O'Brien opted to go with Blake Green, Jayden Brailey, Daniel Saifiti, Mitch Barnett and Kalyn Ponga ahead of easily the club's most capped representative player.
Klemmer admits he was aware there was "outside noise" surrounding his leadership group omission but reveals in his exclusive column in today's Newcastle Herald there was never any truth to what was being claimed.
"I was getting text messages about it with people saying 'what's going on with all this stuff' but none of it was right," he says.
"I never had my nose out of joint. I wasn't stressed about it. I actually sat down with Adzy [coach Adam O'Brien] when that stuff was coming out and he was probably thinking the same thing and asking me if I was alright.
"He explained to me what my role is and I think all the boys know what my role is and what I do and what type of person I am. I'm sure if the club had a problem with me about anything, I'd have got a tap on the shoulder by now.
"With all that stuff coming out, it was probably just people trying to throw some fire out there like they do to stir things up, I don't know.
"I'm just happy doing what I'm doing, I'm playing footy for a living, I'm at a great club and the family is really happy here.
"I'm not stressed about it at all. I want to win a premiership, that's the thing I want the most and Adzy's happy with what I'm doing and he's the most important person."
Klemmer confirmed he and Connor Watson, Josh King and Tyson Frizell had all been given an official role in leading the standards for the club on and off the field.
"It's about helping all the young blokes with their training and off-field stuff and making sure they are doing all the right things off the field,' he said.
"I pride myself on all that sort of stuff and making sure I'm setting the right example for everyone so I was really happy to contribute in that way. The bottom line is I want to concentrate on my footy and lead out there."
