Newcastle have laid another corner stone in their rebuild, re-signing prodigal son Mitch Barnett until the end of the 2020 NRL season.
A local junior, Barnett made his first grade debut with Canberra in 2015 before becoming arguably the Knights' best forward when he re-united with the club midway through last year.
He also kicked off the new season with a bang last week, turning in 119 run-metres and 44 tackles in a 63-minute performance as the side's new starting lock.
The 22-year-old, who becomes the Knights' second player signed past 2019 after yet-to-arrive North Queensland Cowboy Kalyn Ponga, said he is motivated to help last year's wooden spooners restore some pride.
"It's a great opportunity for me to develop my game further and I'm very excited to be staying in Newcastle for another three years," Barnett said on Thursday.
""The club has shown great faith in me and I want to repay them with hard work.
"I've just got to keep working week-to-week and improving my game and hopefully go through this rebuilding phase of the club to get it back to where it was."
Coach Nathan Brown said Barnett, who averaged more offloads and runs than any other Knight last season, is a key to their long-term plans.
"We are pleased to have Mitch sign on for another three years with the club," he said.
"It is really important for us to build a squad with players that want to represent this club. Mitch epitomises the well known saying at this club and that is being a player other players want to play with."
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