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Message: [QUOTE="1910, post: 2697039, member: 8272"] [B]IPSWICH co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker have moved a step closer to launching their NRL careers after being short-listed for the Newcastle post. [/B] The battle for the Knights job was considered to be a race in three between Nathan Brown, Penrith NSW Cup coach Garth Brennan and former Broncos mentor Anthony Griffin. But the Walker brothers have rocketed into the frame, with Knights officials contacting the pair to request their coaching CVs. The brothers formally applied for the job last week and have been backed by Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who has praised their unusual style which has turned the Jets into an Intrust Super Cup finals force. The Walkers have spent five years refining their radical formula, dubbed “contract football”, and are confident their tactics can succeed in the structured world of the NRL. Ben Walker declined to comment but his younger brother Chris, the former Origin star still playing with the Jets at 35, is adamant the duo would be a revelation at the Knights. “Their coaching philosophies will work in the NRL, I have no doubt about that,” Chris Walker said. “People who think their style could not work haven’t watched the way we play or understand why we do the things we do in games. “Ben and Shane have spent a long time working on their structures and trying to get things right. I hope they get a chance in the NRL one day because it will be a breath of fresh air for rugby league. “As a player who is playing under their style, I’m loving it. They have created a great, inclusive culture at the Jets and they would be the right fit for the Knights.’’ While the Knights have sounded out the Walkers, the door remains open for Griffin, who was sacked by the Broncos 13 months ago. The 48-year-old was last month appointed by Ipswich’s Intrust Super Cup rivals Redcliffe for next season, but the Dolphins would not stand in his way if Griffin clinched the Knights post. Griffin went close to securing the Wests Tigers coaching gig this season, to lose out to Jason Taylor. He had four seasons at the Broncos, with a 53 per cent success rate. [URL]http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/ipswich-co-coaches-ben-and-shane-walker-short-listed-for-vacant-newcastle-knights-job/story-fniabnkr-1227480915922[/URL] [/QUOTE]

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