LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Newcastle Knights have taken a long-term gamble by signing Marcus D'Acre, the winner of the NRL Combine, to a low-cost, salary-cap-exempt train-and-trial deal.
Despite D'Acre's lack of rugby league experience, the Knights are banking on his potential for development.
D'Acre, who has previous experience in rugby union with Canada and Hong Kong, stood out at the NRL combine and chose Newcastle over other interested clubs.
His contract is worth $1,200 a week, with half of the funding coming from the NRL and no impact on the team's salary cap.
The Knights' decision to sign D'Acre contrasts with their previous offer of $14 million to Dylan Brown, highlighting the potential they see in the young combine winner.
D'Acre expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "I'm so blessed and honoured to be in this position in the first place, I'm not taking it for granted." The Knights are taking a calculated risk with D'Acre, hoping to see his talent and potential flourish in the rugby league arena.