ADAM Clune grew up supporting the Newcastle Knights and the late-bloomer is excited at the prospect of wearing the club's famous No.7 jumper.
When Clune signed with the Knights in August, he was expecting to be a back-up to Mitchell Pearce.
He had a similar role at St George Illawarra, where Ben Hunt and Corey Norman were the senior playmakers.
Now, with the likely departure of Pearce to France, Clune is the frontrunner to start the season at halfback.
"When I signed I was of the opinion that Mitch was going to be here," Clune said.
"If he stays, it is a great opportunity for me to learn off a great player. If not, it is an opportunity for me to fight for the seven jersey.
"There is plenty of depth here and there is going to be good competition for spots.
"It is a different dynamic to the Dragons. It is a bit of a younger group, especially in the spine."
Clune was among 15 members of the NRL squad - headed by Bradman Best and Jake Clifford - to begin pre-season training on Wednesday.
Coach Adam O'Brien and new head of performance Hayden Knowles put the group through a field session.
Wantaway Pearce and other senior players, including Origin stars Kalyn Ponga, Tyson Frizell, David Klemmer and Daniel Saifiti, do not start training for another two weeks. Dane Gagai, who played in the grand final for South Sydney, is not on deck until December 11.
It has been two weeks since Pearce formally requested a release from the final year of his contract with the Knights to take up a lucrative deal in France.
The Knights have been linked to a move for Luke Brooks, but the Wests Tigers have made it clear they will not be releasing the local junior.
Clune, 26, played 25 NRL games for the Dragons, including 10 last season.
As well as the enticement of a two-year deal in Newcastle, Clune signed because he believes the Knights were on the "right trajectory".
"There is strike and talent and good people across the squad," he said. "Blokes like Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Brailey are great people to play alongside. There are representative forwards here ... Dane Gagai is coming on board. My focus is on building good relationships."
An added bonus is the chance to work with club legend and halves consultant Andrew Johns.
"That is unbelievably exciting," he said. "Joey is one of the best [halfbacks] if not the best to ever do it. To be able to work with him, get feedback and bounce ideas off him. I can't wait to pick his brain and get amongst it."
