Buderus keen to work with Brown at Knights

Newcastle caretaker coach Danny Buderus has revealed he’s contacted incoming coach Nathan Brown to determine whether he’ll be needed at the NRL club next season.

Brown’s appointment is expected to be confirmed this week after he was recommended by the club’s sub-committee on Thursday.

Chairman Brian McGuigan also let the cat out of the bag earlier that day when announcing on radio that Brown had been handed the gig.

Speaking after the Knights were lumped with the wooden spoon following their 30-12 loss to Penrith on Saturday, Buderus said he was open to working under Brown.

“I’ve just texted him so far. It’s not official yet is it so it’s one of those ones where I’m here if the club needs any support or needs to know anything,” he said.

Buderus took over as interim coach after the club axed Rick Stone following a 52-6 thumping to South Sydney in round 20.

The Knights produced a handful of spirited performances in the six games under club legend Buderus, however were unable to avoid a last-place finish.

Still, the former Kangaroos and NSW representative said he wanted to help the club rebuild itself into a premiership contender.

“I want to stick around, that’s for sure, and help the club get out of this scenario it’s in,” Buderus said.

“There’s only one way up and that’s probably a good thing.

“I’m not saying it’s where we deserve to be, but we have a long way to get up to those top clubs.”

Buderus compared the Knights’ current play to that of minor premiers the Sydney Roosters, describing them as playing a “different sport”, before publicly pleading for more third-party sponsors to help them compete with the league’s elite.

“You just have to look at Friday’s game where the Roosters are setting the standard, then look at our game, and it’s a different sport at times,” he said.

“The way the good teams are playing we need some support around our personnel.

“We have some young kids coming through no doubt but we need to spend our cap wisely, we need some third-parties at our club.

“We have a new coach coming in and I’m sure he’ll know what’s needed to change this place around.”

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