As the old saying goes, rewards come to those who wait. In the case of Chris Randall, that should read, who wait ... and wait ... and wait.
For the past three seasons, the Knights utility has been busting his backside, chasing his NRL dream on a bare minimum development contract wage.
He'll admit to seriously thinking about throwing in the towel at least a couple of times during that period when he was left wondering whether it was all worth it. But his persistence and dogged refusal to give up is about to pay dividends.
At 25, the Lakes United junior is on the verge of signing his first top 30 NRL contract with the Knights. And there is no question his value to the club has risen immeasurably since Connor Watson announced he is headed to the Sydney Roosters at the end of the season.
Randall's specialist position may be hooker but he can play in the No.13 jersey as he did earlier in the season and he has also spent plenty of time in the halves at NSW Cup level.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien, who has thrown him in at hooker for Saturday's clash against the Brisbane Broncos with co-captain Jayden Brailey rested, says Randall is a coach's dream.
"He's a local kid who loves the Knights and wants to be here and I love what we get from him," O'Brien said.
"I've got full trust in Randy. I know what he brings to us every week. When we've got him in the team, I don't lie awake at night worrying about Randy. Put it this way, with Brails out this week, I don't think we'll lose a lot with Randy's service.
"He's a great trainer who's really fit. He's got a lot of strings to his bow but none more so than his toughness and how fit he is and how much he competes which are traits I love in players. And with Connor going, I would think there will be even more opportunities for a player like him."
Randall confirmed contract talks are taking place.
"I obviously want to stay here and if I get the chance, that's what I'll be doing," he said. "But right now, I just want to play good footy and get another win."
# Meanwhile, the Knights finally confirmed on Tuesday the re-signing of injured backrower and local junior Lachlan Fitzgibbon for a further two seasons.
Fitzgibbon, who has had a wretched year with injury, was off contract at the end of the season but has taken a pay-cut to commit to the Knights until the end of 2023.
