Newcastle Knights step up bid for Korbin Sims Korbin Sims after a Knights recovery session. Picture: Gary Graham Source: The Daily Telegraph NEWCASTLE will step up their bid to re-sign talented young forward Korbin Sims this week amid suggestions his brothers Ashton and Tariq are trying to lure him to North Queensland to play alongside them. Sims, who played just his third NRL game in the Knights' 30-6 win over the Titans on Sunday, was offered a new three-year deal by the club more than a week ago and they will attempt to expedite negotiations later this week when they meet with his management in Brisbane. Knights CEO Matt Gidley confirmed Sims is a priority and is confident he will stay long term. But he is also aware the young prop's brothers have been trying to entice him to the Cowboys. "I heard they have been talking to him about going up there with them and I suppose it's only natural they'd be doing that,"Gidley said. But we've made a really good offer to him and we know he likes it here in Newcastle and he'll have a big opportunity here. Wayne (coach Bennett) has spoken to him about that so hopefully we can get something worked out. In Newcastle's favour is the fact it's unlikely the Cowboys will be able to match their offer, given they have shelled out big money to re-sign the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and James Tamou and also have Matt Bowen and Dallas Johnson coming off contract. Knights captain Kurt Gidley is not surprised Sims is a priority. "I wouldn't like to see him leave, that's for sure," Gidley said. I remember meeting him for the first time before he signed when he took a punt to come here. It's paid off for him and I'd say he is a high priority to keep. He's a leader in his age group and he's got a really good future. Hopefully we can get him over the line. Meanwhile, the Knights have not completely given up hope of enticing Kiwi international Greg Eastwood to join the club despite reports suggesting he is close to re-signing with the Bulldogs.