Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Brett Keeble, Newcastle Herald - Knights coach Brian Smith is expected to sign a contract extension by the end of the week that would guarantee him at least one more year in Newcastle. Smith's existing three-year contract expires at the end of this season and the new deal is believed to be for the 2010 NRL season. A performance-activated clause will include 2011 if the Knights reach the top four this year.

After an initial meeting last week, Smith and Knights chief executive Steve Burraston held further discussions yesterday, and The Herald understands both parties have agreed in principle for Smith to remain at the helm for at least a fourth year and potentially a fifth.

It is understood Burraston will draft a formal offer to put to Smith in the next few days, and barring a change of mind from either party, the coach is likely to put pen to paper by the end of this week.

Smith and Burraston are keen for the coaching issue to be settled before the Knights kick off their NRL campaign against the Titans on the Gold Coast on March 15.

"Brian and I have had a couple of meetings now and we're pretty much on the same page," Burraston said last night.

"From those discussions, I think that we're very close to concluding the deal."

Smith confirmed he and Burraston spoke yesterday about his ongoing employment at the Knights but would not comment further.

After some often spirited debate at a marathon board meeting a fortnight ago, the Knights' board of directors eventually voted unanimously for chairman Rob Tew to instruct Burraston to begin negotiations with Smith to extend the coach's tenure in Newcastle.

Smith, 54, who joined the Knights at the start of 2007, has coached professionally in Australia or England every year since his senior coaching debut with the Illawarra Steelers in 1984.

Meanwhile, in team news, Smith will name every available player for hit-outs against Newcastle Rugby League teams Central Charlestown, South Newcastle and Maitland at St John Oval on Saturday.

The Knights will use three different combinations to play each Newcastle team in a 25-minute period, and Smith is awaiting medical reports on several players before finalising his squads.

Captain Kurt Gidley, outside backs Adam and Luke MacDougall, utility Matt Hilder, centre Wes Naiqama and prop Danny Wicks will not be considered as they recover from long-term injuries or a belated start to pre-season training.

Winger James McManus, who had groin surgery at the end of last season, is also under a cloud after pulling up sore at the end of training yesterday.