It took longer than he would have liked but Knights recruitment boss Clint Zammit was entitled to be feeling just a little chuffed this week when he finally landed Kalyn Ponga's signature on a new five-year-deal without any strings attached.
But now comes the hard part.
Whether you think he is currently worth $1 million a season or not, losing Ponga would have been a dagger to the heart of a rising club desperately trying to elevate itself to premiership contender status.
The sobering news though is the Knights captain, even if he does fulfill his undoubted potential, is going to need some serious help if Newcastle is to win another NRL title before his contract expires.
Which is why the club just has to make a genuine attempt to sign a second marquee, Storm playmaker Cameron Munster.
Munster is not off contract until the end of 2023 but he would be worth the wait. He'd also be well worth his $1 million-plus price tag as well.
As it stands now, the Knights only have seven players - Bradman Best, Jayden Brailey, Dane Gagai, Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, Mat Croker and Ponga - under contract for 2024.
Big money earners such as David Klemmer [$800,000] and Tyson Frizell [$700,000] both come off contract at the end of next season.
It will take some roster manipulation and the club will need some younger players to step up in other positions in the mean time. But it's not unfeasible to fit two million dollar-plus players in your roster. The salary cap will have gone up by then as well.
Just imagine Ponga and Munster working in tandem alongside the likes of the Saifitis, Jake Clifford, Best and Gagai.
Wayne Bennett's Dolphins are the clear favourite, after missing out on the Knights fullback, to snare Munster if he leaves the Storm. But he is said to have a good relationship with coach Adam O'Brien and is tight with Maroons teammate Ponga.
He would instantly solve O'Brien's biggest Achilles heal as far as challenging for a title is concerned - the lack of top-shelf playmaker.
The plan going forward post-Mitchell Pearce was always to shift Ponga into the halves with English youngster Bailey Hodgson earmarked as the club's long-term fullback.
But there are now genuine doubts about whether Ponga will ever transition into a top-line five-eighth while Hodgson's development has been severely hampered by COVID and injury.
The club's junior halves depth is also questionable with no standout candidates and available options elsewhere are few. Luke Brooks is surely now off the radar.
The word is the club made it known they were interested in talking to Munster before re-signing Ponga. It was thought Ponga's signature would end that interest.
Knights fans should be desperately hoping and praying that's not the case.
Show of faith
Still on Ponga, his decision to turn his back on Bennett, the game's most successful coach, and shun the prospect of becoming the face of the Dolphins franchise in Queensland should not be undersold.
At the very least, it's a huge confidence vote in Adam O'Brien and the overall direction of the club.
Ponga's commitment to the Knights and the town can no longer be questioned despite the circus surrounding the snail-like negotiation process.
Barney hits jackpot
The lure of a big money offer and an extra year's security is the reason why Mitch Barnett will walk out on the Knights at the end of the season.
Released from the final year of his Knights contract, Barnett has signed a three-year-deal believed to be worth around $1.5 million with the Warriors.
The Knights were willing to offer only a one-year extension for considerably less money.
Promising signs?
English recruitment target Will Pryce must be seriously considering a move to the Knights. Why else would he decide to follow this column on Twitter this week.
Young Knights chase grand final berth
Isaiya Katoa, the young halfback Wayne Bennett's Dolphins have signed from Penrith, stands in the way of the Knights and a grand final berth in the S G Ball competition tonight in Sydney.
Two weeks after beating Penrith 32-18 in the final round, the Knights face the Panthers again in the Under 19s preliminary final.
Knights No.7 Liam Sutton returns to a full-strength side after missing the final round with lock Myles Martin, prop Paul Bryan, centres Ethan Ferguson and Chris Vea'ila and fullback Fletcher Sharpe the keys to a victory.
The Knights girls take on the Eels in the Tarsha Gale preliminary final today.
Baz's Best update
Newly re-signed Kalyn Ponga shook off an indifferent start to the season to be close to the best player on the field in the Knights' disappointing loss to the lowly Dragons last weekend.
The skipper polled maximum points to open his account in our player of the year competition with David Klemmer and Bradman Best also picking up their first points.
Rd 6: Knights v Dragons
3 Kalyn Ponga 2 David Klemmer 1 Bradman Best
Progress points: 6 Tyson Frizell. 5 Chris Randall, Kurt Mann. 4 Dane Gagai, Jake Clifford. 3 Kalyn Ponga, Dom Young. 2 David Klemmer, Tex Hoy. 1 Bradman Best, Mitch Barnett.
