A phone call made from Bali could be what it takes to finally bring David Klemmer to Newcastle.
Mitchell Pearce has revealed he called the boom Bulldogs prop while he was holidaying in Bali, with the Knights halfback giving up his own time to help his club gain the services of one of the league's most damaging forwards.
A Canterbury exit looms ever closer for Klemmer, who is set to meet with Bulldogs management on Wednesday.
The representative forward, who has played 113 NRL games for the Dogs since his 2013 debut, reportedly requested a release from Canterbury last month.
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Canterbury chief executive Andrew Hill later vowed to do everything in the club's power to convince Klemmer to see out his two-year deal - but conceded the contract saga is ''far from an ideal situation.''
However, Pearce - who himself made the big leap to the Knights 12 months ago, and has played six Origin matches for NSW with Klemmer - revealed he put on the recruiter's hat to get his former rep teammate to Newcastle.
"I had a chat to him when I was in Bali, the club got me to give him a ring," Pearce told Channel 9.
"I’ve got a good relationship with him and I’ve always had a lot of respect for him, so I hope it works itself out.
"I've got all my fingers crossed... I really love Klem as a bloke and I think he'd be perfect for this team.
"I’m sure the town will embrace him, everyone loves a hard man up front that leads your pack."
#EXCLUSIVE: He's the Knights star halfback… but Mitchell Pearce has turned recruitment officer hired to help the club snare Bulldogs big man David Klemmer. @DanikaMason9 reports and @Danny_Weidler is #LIVE. #9News pic.twitter.com/JpvYGnj31o
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 13, 2018
With Klemmer's exit looming larger by the day, the Bulldogs have reportedly earmarked Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa as a replacement.
Earlier this month, further reports suggested South Sydney twin towers George and Thomas Burgess were being targeted by the Dogs.
However, the Napa reports have indicated that the Bulldogs have offered $600,000 to Napa, who has one year remaining on his Roosters contract.
