David Klemmer has vowed to live up to the legacy left by Paul ‘The Chief’ Harragon, aware his lucrative, five-year Newcastle deal comes with heavy expectations.
The former Canterbury prop’s signing is the club’s most outstanding achievement since the recruitment of Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga, adding the final piece of the puzzle after years of heartache in their forward pack.
Pearce was touted as Newcastle’s most established half since Immortal Andrew Johns retired in 2007, and the newspapers have already piled on the pressure for Klemmer to wear the responsibilities of his predecessor Harragon, with The Daily Telegraph’s back page reading: ‘There’s a new Chief in town’.
David Klemmer will front the media today in Knights colours according to @BarryToohey #NRL pic.twitter.com/RsqfX3ibG9
— Nothing But Knights (@NothingButNK) November 26, 2018
‘’The Chief has an awesome legacy up here and I’ve got a lot to live up to,’’ Klemmer said in his first media address in Knights colours.
‘’I just want to get into training and earn the respect from the boys. I just want to get around there and introduce myself.
‘’I just want to get into training and rip in and get ready for a big 2019.’’
Newcastle ended weeks of speculation on Monday after announcing a five-year deal for the NSW prop on a reported total value of $4.3 million, ending coach Nathan Brown's three-year hunt for a marquee prop.
''It's an area of our roster that we've been trying to recruit in,'' Brown said.
''Last year we made a shot at Matt Scott. Basically we wanted a Test player, an Origin player and things worked out that Klem could come.
''His age is probably perfect - at 24 his best years are ahead of him. He's been playing Origin, grand finals and Tests for a solid period now so I think his influence on the rest of the younger players in particular can be quite good.
''Sometimes the patience we have shown has left our squad a little short at times in the past 18 months or so with depth and experience, but it slowly has worked out probably better than anyone could have thought of in the short period of time.''
Klemmer approached Canterbury officials last month to declare he wanted to start a new life out of Sydney for personal reasons, escaping the high-pressure, big city environment.
He insists his decision, which he mulled over for almost four months, was not motivated by money and was based on new beginnings for his young family on the Hunter.
‘’It’s probably been about three or four months of thinking. It was a big decision in my life and my family’s life,’’ he said
‘’It’s very appealing to come up here and raise your family.
‘’The lifestyle – I’m a kid from Western Sydney so coming up here, it’s a different lifestyle. I’m very blessed and lucky to come up here and raise my family.
‘’I just thought it was a great opportunity. I’m at the right age to move up here, especially with my kids being at the age they are and starting school.
‘’It’s a perfect time for them to come up here and get settled and start a life up here with them.’’
Klemmer with his biggest supporters at his @NRLKnights press conference. pic.twitter.com/kZQDuI6gOo
— Barry Toohey (@BarryToohey) November 26, 2018
The 24-year-old also took the time to express his gratitude to his junior club for kick-starting his career and developing his talents across six seasons.
‘’I’ve got a lot of respect for the Bulldogs, they made me the player I am today and I can’t thank them enough,’’ he said.
‘’I’ve got a lot of memories there and as I said I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.
‘’I’ve come up here, I’m in a good state of my career at the moment. I want to continue to develop myself as a player and I see Newcastle as a good spot, a good roster and a good town to do it.''
On Tuesday, Canterbury’s fan forums were littered with bitter comments directed at Klemmer’s walk-out, criticising him for leaving the club behind during a challenging rebuilding period.
But Klemmer refuses to read into the gossip, telling Canterbury fans they still hold a special place in his heart no matter what their view is of him.
''That’s the business we are in,’’ Klemmer said.
‘’I try not to read too much into that because if you do you send yourself mad.
‘’Obviously our fan base at Canterbury is very passionate and I have a lot of respect for them.
‘’It’s a business now and I’ve woke up to that. I’m just happy I’m settled here at Newcastle and ready to go.
‘’There’s no hate there. I’ve got a lot of respect for the club.
‘’I’m still a fan of the club as well and I just wish them all the success in the future. I hope the boys go really well next year.
‘’We’re only in this business for a short time and we can’t dwell on this when we’re 40 or 50 years old.
‘’If someone had the opportunity to move their family and look after someone else, it’s up to them. If they’re going to hate me for that, looking after your family, it’s up to them.
‘’I’ve got no ill feelings toward any of the fans. I’ve got a lot of respect for them.’’
Klemmer is one of six high-profile players to depart the Bulldogs in the space of 12 months.
Favourite sons Josh Reynolds (Tigers) and James Graham (Dragons) were squeezed out because of salary cap pressure at the end of 2017, then close friend Aaron Woods (Sharks) and Moses Mbye (Tigers) had the same fate midway through last year. The Morris brothers were also told they wouldn’t be offered an extension.
But Klemmer is also part of a formidable recruitment package produced by Newcastle for the second year in a row, joining Queensland prop Tim Glasby, Sharks young gun Jesse Ramien and winger Edrick Lee, Warriors duo James Gavet and Mason Lino, Rabbitohs back Hymel Hunt and Bulldogs hooker Zac Woolford.
The hulking forward believes semi-finals football is well within the team’s reach and the playing group is ready to enjoy a breakout season.
‘’There’s some great talent here and I just want to get around them and introduce myself to them and just train with them,’’ Klemmer said.
‘’The roster is pretty special. It’s a young squad, they’ve come into their careers now where they have a couple years' experience of playing first grade and they are ready to go another level.
‘’I’m just going to come in there and do my best for the team and just be around the boys and make them believe in themselves.’’
