Kurt Mann to join Knights as potential starting hooker

Newcastle are expected to announce the signing of utility Kurt Mann on a three-year NRL contract after departing St George Illawarra.

The Knights are hoping to secure Mann’s signature on Monday until the end of the 2021 season after departing St George Illawarra.

It’s believed Brown intends to convert him into a No.9 as Slade Griffin recovers from a fourth ACL injury.

During his 90 NRL games for St George Illawarra and Melbourne, the 25-year-old played every position in the backline and was this year used by Paul McGregor as a bench forward but has never started at No.9.

He has played 33 games at centre, 17 on the wing, seven at five-eighth, four at fullback, four at halfback and 23 off the bench.

Brown views Mann as being sturdy enough to be a hooker and will join Danny Levi and Jamie Buhrer in contending for the starting hooker spot.

It brings into doubt former New Zealand Test hooker Levi’s future at the club.

The Dragons had previously said they would not release Mann without a suitable replacement and have been linked with Parramatta half Corey Norman and South Sydney fullback Alex Johnson.