Albert Kelly is settled and in form on the Gold Coast. Picture: David Clark Source: The Daily Telegraph
HE'S the problem child not even Wayne Bennett could fully rehabilitate.
So there are no pangs of regret in the Newcastle camp ahead of Sunday's clash with the Gold Coast for not persevering with troubled former Sharks halfback Albert Kelly last season while he was in the lower grades at the Knights.
Sacked by Cronulla for a series of unsavoury off-field incidents, Bennett threw Kelly a lifeline so he wouldn't be completely lost to the NRL.
But a further off-field incident ended Kelly's brief flirtation with the club.
According to Knights CEO Matt Gidley, the fact he has found his feet and is resurrecting his career at the Titans is an indication Newcastle did the right thing in letting him go.
"We don't have any regrets at all. We are very happy with the halves we already have here," Gidley said. "Wayne gave Albert an opportunity because he wanted to help him out and didn't want to see him lost to the NRL.
"It didn't happen for him here but it at least has given him a platform to continue on. We are really pleased to see him do well at the Titans.
"He's obviously in a good environment on the Gold Coast and he's learnt some pretty tough lessons. He's got his life back in order by the sound of things and that was what Wayne was all about in the first place."
Albert Kelly with Knights coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: Liam Driver Source: The Daily Telegraph
Knights centre Timana Tahu, who is close to Kelly, admitted the young halfback needed the change to get his life back on track.
"He was in a dark place a couple of years ago at Cronulla," he said.
"When he came here, it was more about just looking after him and having family and friendship support around him.
"Wayne didn't want to see him lost to the NRL.
"He needed a new change and the Titans have probably shown him some love. I talk to him now and then. He's loving it up there."
Meanwhile, Knights five-eighth Jarrod Mullen is considered a good chance of playing against the Titans despite undergoing knee surgery early last week.
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