NRL PRE-SEASON

Newcastle's former NSW and Australian star Adam MacDougall has rated Cronulla's pack as the NRL's testing material before tonight's trial match. MacDougall's description is particularly interesting since NSW prop Kade Snowden is set to switch to Newcastle next year if mining magnate Nathan Tinkler takes ownership of the Knights. "To me, they've probably got the best forward pack in the comp," MacDougall said. "I think they've got the best back row, definitely. It's an international back row [Paul Gallen, Anthony Tupou and Jeremy Smith], so it's going to be a great battle up front to decide the outcome this weekend. It should be a very tough and torrid match up front, and that's why I play in the centres." MacDougall, who turns 36 in May, said it was important the Knights came out of their last trial with confidence.

Cronulla expect no decision from Snowden until Knights' future sorted

CRONULLA are prepared to wait until the Newcastle ownership issue is sorted out before star prop Kade Snowden tells the club whether he is going to remain at the Sharks next season.

Magnate admits he made call to Snowden

NATHAN TINKLER has admitted he approached Kade Snowden just hours before the former Newcastle prop was about to sign a new two-year deal with Cronulla.

No circus: Sharks to shut gates to media

CRONULLA will lock the Toyota Stadium gates behind them when Kade Snowden returns to training with the rest of the team today.