Fresh start appealing to Smith

Outgoing Parramatta coach Brian Smith, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle next season, says he is excited by the prospect of starting afresh with a rival NRL club.

Smith has firmed in favouritism to take over from Michael Hagan at the Knights next year, with Hagan moving to the Eels in 2007. The veteran Parramatta coach was told last November that his ten-year tenure at the Eels would not be extended beyond 2006.

Fifty-two-year-old Smith says he has received offers from outside rugby league, but admitted he still had a strong desire to coach again in the NRL. The Knights have already missed out on their top two targets, with Wests Tigers premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens and Penrith-bound Canberra mentor Matt Elliott having both rejected their advances.