MOST of his NRL squad are locked in for at least the next two years, and Knights coach Rick Stone says the challenge for Newcastle now is to unearth some rookies who can supplement the roster.
Consistent forward Chris Houston was the latest top-grader to agree to re-sign with Newcastle, shaking hands on a two-year extension that will take him through until the end of 2012.
Key players Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, James McManus, Isaac De Gois, Cory Paterson, Junior Sau, Akuila Uate, Zeb Taia, Danny Wicks, Matt Hilder, Richie Fa'aoso, Dan Tolar, Cameron Ciraldo and Keith Lulia are all under contract for at least next season and 2011.
Stone said it was reassuring that the nucleus of his team, most of whom have been with Newcastle since 2008 or earlier, would remain intact for another two campaigns, a rare occurrence in the salary-cap era.
But he said there was still scope for a transfusion of fresh blood.
"I think the trick for us now is growing a couple of our own some real good 'uns," Stone said yesterday.
"Obviously that's something we'll be putting a lot of time and effort into.
"While we've got that basic squad, and maybe add one or two quality players every year and never lose a junior we want to keep, we've got a good recipe there for success, especially considering Newcastle's history for producing good footy players."
Five National Youth Competition (under-20) players Josh Ailaomai, Peter Mata'utia, Zane Tetavano, Tyrone Roberts and Adrian Davis have been training with Newcastle's senior squad.
Stone felt all had the potential to become NRL regulars in seasons to come.
"We've got a few young blokes we've got a fairly high regard for, firstly the NYC-eligible players, and then another crop under them that we're trying to fast-track as well," Stone said.
Ailaomai and Tetavano joined Newcastle after representing New Zealand under 16s, Mata'utia is a former Australian Schoolboys representative, and Roberts and Davis are North Coast products who joined the Knights at under-16 level.
"Tyrone and Adrian have been training with the first-graders a bit out of necessity, because Ben Rogers has been injured, but it's given them a chance to work with guys like Scott Dureau and Jarrod Mullen and fast-track their knowledge a little bit," Stone said.
Of Newcastle's remaining senior players, Adam MacDougall, Steve Simpson, Ben Cross, Rogers, Dureau, Cooper Vuna, Mark Taufua, Wes Naiqama and Constantine Mika come off contract at the end of next season.
Stone said one or two could be offered extended deals over the off-season, and "a couple of them may need to prove themselves a little bit" during the 2010 season.
The man largely responsible for Newcastle's retention drive has been strategic-development manager Keith Onslow, who has patiently worked through a priority list and squeezed as much value as possible out of the club's salary cap.
"Keith's an experienced campaigner and knows what he's doing," Stone said.
"He does a great job managing that cap.
"Until you become head coach, you don't realise the full intricacies of the beast that is the salary cap."
Stone was hopeful wholesale cleanouts such as Newcastle experienced at the end of 2007 would not be required in future.
"I'd like to think that's the case," he said.
"By the time some of these blokes come off contract, we might have a little bit of a salary cap squeeze, but Keith is working hard on keeping everyone in the loop."
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