Is this a turning point in the history of the Newcastle Knights?
Mitchell Pearce will report for his first day of pre-season training with his new club on Monday after agreeing to a rich four-year NRL deal with the Knights.
In one of the biggest coups in the club's history, the ex-Sydney Roosters and incumbent NSW State of Origin halfback on Thursday agreed to terms on a contract worth a reported $4 million.
Following his hasty exit from Bondi, Pearce rejected offers from Manly and Cronulla to be part of the Knights' rebuild under Nathan Brown.
In a red letter day for the club, it represents the first time in a long-time they've been able to snare a high-calibre recruitment target.
Over the past 12 months they've missed out on Matt Scott, Jack Bird, James Maloney and others because of ownership instability and a lack of on-field success.
However that could be about to change with Brown appearing to have a 17 capable of challenging for the top eight in 2018.
The side's run in the back end of this year, which included victories over St George Illawarra and Parramatta, announced they were no longer walkovers.
And with the recruitment of Pearce, Chris Heighington, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman, Brown has the senior players to nurture his young charges.
The likes of Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson have the potential to be the future bedrock of the club.
Brown also has a giant headache on his hands with genuine competition for spots across the park.
The likes of Jacob Saifiti and Sam Stone blossomed into first-graders last year but could find themselves spending time back in reserve grade.
A NEW DAY FOR KNIGHTS
Possible Newcastle 17 for 2018
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Nathan Ross
3. Tautau Moga
4. Sione Mata'utia
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6. Connor Watson
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Danny Levi
10. Herman Ese'ese
11. Jamie Buhrer
12. Aidan Guerra
13. Mitch Barnett
14. Brock Lamb
15. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
16. Chris Heighington
17. Jacob Lillyman
