Once Bennett declared his intention to leave the Dragons at the end of this year, speculation was rife about which club he'd choose.

After the 61-year-old decided not to return to Brisbane, Souths and the Knights were considered the front-runners, and it's believed he knocked back a big-money offer from the Rabbitohs to make the move to Newcastle.

In a statement released by the Tinkler Sports Group, Bennett said his decision was based on the vision and passion of Nathan Tinkler, combined with the lifestyle offered by Newcastle and the Hunter.

He said when he sat down with the Knights' new owner he was struck by Tinkler's passion for, and knowledge of, rugby league. "Private ownership appeals to me, I like it," Bennett says. "This guy wants to take Newcastle to another level.

"He wants our game to capture the imagination of the Hunter like never before, for the Knights to be the benchmark of rugby league in this country. That is the type of challenge that appeals to me.''

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