Newcastle's marquee signing Trent Hodkinson has given Nathan Brown a glowing endorsement to become the next Knights coach and hopes to have a say in who will take over at the club.
Hodkinson has reaffirmed his commitment to the club despite the uncertainty surrounding the Knights following the sacking of coach Rick Stone last week. The announcement of Hodkinson joining the Knights on a three-year deal just before Origin III gave the Newcastle faithful some respite from an otherwise horrendous season.
Brown has emerged as a leading candidate to take over from Stone next year. It would be an appointment which Hodkinson backs after the pair became close in Brown's role as NSW assistant coach this series.
"You hear whispers that Brownie might be going up there," Hodkinson said. "I had a bit to do with him in Origin and we got on well. If he was able to the gig it would be nice.
"I heard a couple of murmurs in Origin camp [that Brown would replace Stone] and hit him up but he said he didn't know too much."
While Hodkinson had agreed to be coached by Stone next season, he has little reservations about his move. He does however want to play some role in deciding who is the club's long-term coach.
"Yeah obviously I've had a couple of calls from Newcastle and they are keeping me in the loop," Hodkinson said. "They have been good like that. I'm sure they will let me know.
"No I haven't [put Brown's name forward] yet. At the end of the day it's a call for them. I'll have to wait and see.
"It's obviously a big thing but I haven't thought about it too much. I'm just focused on finishing the season off here and doing the best I can for the Bulldogs.
"I've got to wait and see what the decisions they go with and I'm sure it'll be fine."
Hodkinson was reluctant to end his five year stint at the Bulldogs. But salary cap pressures and the opportunity to secure a long-term deal saw him opt for the Knights.
"It was a slow process," Hodkinson said. "I just focused on [staying at] the Bulldogs and didn't look elsewhere then after a while they let me know that salary cap issues were going to cause havoc.
"That's when I had to look elsewhere and lucky for me I had a bit of interest out there. It's disappointing. You find a home here and you've got all your mates and family but in saying that I'm looking forward to a new challenge.
"I'm excited for next year."
The emergence of Moses Mbye and the fact that long-term halves partner Josh Reynolds is contracted until the end of 2017 forced the Bulldogs' hand. The trio have shared game time during matches this season but Reynolds' injury has allowed Mbye and Hodkinson to form a partnership. Reynolds is expected to miss at least another month with a knee injury.
"It's a funny one because it's good having that pressure on you because it helps you out on the paddock and with your form," Hodkinson said. "It eases the pressure [with Reynolds being injured] but I don't think it's a good thing. You can get too comfortable. The sooner Josh is back it'll be good for us."
