YORK City Knights are aiming to reap the first dividend of the Dwain Chambers friendly by signing one of Castleford's main young guns.
The Knights have opened discussions with the Super League club about bringing Australian second-row Tom Haberecht on loan to Huntington Stadium.
The National League Two club made only nominal gate-money - they kept the receipts from the 100 or so tickets bought at their office - from the much-hyped reserve friendly away to Cas on Sunday, which was arranged at short notice so the Tigers could have a look at former Olympic sprinter Chambers in action.
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However, they hope to arrange a money-spinning pre-season friendly against the Super League outfit on the back of it, as well as use the improved relations between the clubs to bring players on loan.
Haberecht, a member of the Tigers' first-team squad, could be the first, if all parties agree.
The Sydney-born starlet, who would not count on the overseas quota as he has a British passport, has a good pedigree in Australian reserve grade rugby league.
He began his career with Canterbury Bulldogs and later joined St George Illawara, where he was voted Player of the Year in the Jersey Flegg side as well as making the senior squad. He played for Wests Tigers' Premiership side, Balmain Tigers, last year, before coming to England.
The 22-year-old made an excellent impression on Knights player-boss Paul March during the Chambers friendly.
March said: "He impressed me very much. He's a big second-row cum centre with a bit of pace as well.
"I'm looking to strengthen the squad and I believe if he does come he will do that.
"He's played at a good level in Australia and he came over here with big raps. Cas gave him the chance in their Super League squad.
"They obviously rate him highly - that's why they brought him over.
"Other players have gone there, however, and he's looking for more first-team game-time. Hopefully we can give him that."
The Knights were also monitoring the condition of winger Johnny Waldron following his appearance in the Chambers friendly.
The former York Acorn flier has been hampered by a medial ligament strain but played through the problem against Cas on Sunday - at one point leaving Chambers grasping at thin air with a sidestep.
He might need a steroid injection which could rule him out for several weeks, but the specialist first wants to see if the problem settles down by itself.
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