David Klemmer was having an impressive season for the Newcastle Knights in 2022 before rumours of the forward becoming disillusioned with coach Adam O’Brien emerged.

For months this situation was monitored by the media as Klemmer was set to leave the Knights at any moment and in mid-November did exactly that when he joined the Wests Tigers with Jackson Hastings moving to Newcastle.

In a recent interview with Fox Sports reporter Darcie McDonald Klemmer opened up about leaving the Knights and the impact that it had on his children.

“It was probably the hardest telling (them),” said Klemmer.

“They were pretty settled up there with all their friends.

“They got a bit emotional and it took a toll on them but they’ll be right, they’ll come down here and make new friends.

“We’ll be back up there after footy.”

Klemmer then revealed that the Knights did not seem interested in offering him a contract extension and spoke about his meeting with Tim Sheens that saw him become a Tiger.

 
“I was coming off contract and asked the club if there was any opportunity and they were just stalling a bit,” said Klemmer.

“‘Sheensy’ was pretty keen on getting me down here so I felt wanted… And that’s probably what you want as a player — you want to feel like you’re needed.

“It was in the off-season, it was late too — they were about to start training again.

“I sat down with ‘Sheensy’, then I sat down with Benji and I just knew straight away what they wanted from me and where this club’s going.”

While the 29-year-old is closer to the end of his career than the start he still has plenty left to give and could be one of the standouts of a rebuilding Tigers side that finish last in 2023.

A big year for Klemmer could also see him return to Brad Fittler’s New South Wales State of Origin squad after not playing for the Blues since 2019.

Klemmer will officially play in his first NRL game for the Tigers on the first Sunday in March when his new club takes on the Gold Coast Titans.