Newcastle have just taken a huge punt on an untested talent, and this time they didn’t need to offer the largest contract in rugby league history to make it happen.
In the same week Dylan Brown was made a $14 million offer he couldn’t refuse, the Knights are about to secure the services of NRL combine winner Marcus D’Acre. The latter will arrive in the Hunter on league’s cheapest deal, a $1,200-a-week train-and-trial arrangement, half of which will be funded by the NRL and all of which will be salary-cap exempt.
The move has been dubbed a “Reverse-Mailata” – a nod to Jordan Mailata’s transition from lower-grade rugby league player to NFL Super Bowl champion.
“I am doing the reverse,” D’Acre said. “Except I’m not six-foot-nine and 350 pounds. I’m looking forward to it and am super honoured for this opportunity that the NRL have presented. Taking a chance on me is the biggest blessing that could happen.
“Time is on my side. Newcastle is a great team and I think they can help me transform into a great player one day.”
Even before he had won the combine alongside fellow NRL aspirant Adam Channel, D’Acre had already fielded interest from the North Queensland Cowboys. However, the Knights seemed to be the best fit on several levels. D’Acre’s godfather, Bob Balachandran, founded the New York Knights Rugby League Club, for which his father, Nigel, also briefly played. Now the 20-year-old is hoping to make his own history at the NRL version of the Knights.
Marcus D’Acre at the NRL combine.
“Speaking to my agent, he mentioned it’s a good club with a lot of rich history and the management sounded pretty adamant about my growth as an NRL player one day,” he said. “It sounded like they were the most interested in developing me into what my full potential could be.
“It’s not going to be a one or two-year thing, it will take three or four years, and they sounded willing to work with me to grow. That’s what I want as a rugby player, someone who will take the time to help me out and understand the sport.”
In the days leading up to the combine, D’Acre was invited to train with Cronulla. Although a life-long rugby league fan – he supported the Melbourne Storm while growing up in Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Canada – he had never touched a Steeden until that Sharks session.
“I’m taking baby steps. Starting off on the wing and centres is a great place to start,” said D’Acre, who has represented Canada and Hong Kong in rugby union at national level.
“Once I understand the patterns, shapes and various calls, I can see myself moving down in numbers depending on how times change and how I enjoy it.”
D’Acre will arrive in Newcastle in May, where he will learn the intricacies of the 13-man game while completing an economics degree at Queen’s University in Canada.
“I think I have the potential to do some damage in rugby league,” he said. “It’s going to take some time. I’ve been watching it for so long and I’m lucky enough to have trained with the Sharks and been up close and personal with those boys.
“I can see what the level is like and it’s some of the highest rugby I’ve seen in person. Given some time, you never know where an opportunity like this can take you.”
D’Acre had no issue with the discrepancy between his Knights contract and that offered to Brown.
“With that signing happening and great stars like [Kalyn] Ponga, the players make it a great place to grow and learn,” he said. “I’m so blessed and honoured to be in this position in the first place, I’m not taking it for granted.”
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