He was unwanted by the NRL's cellar-dwellers but Adam Clydsdale now has a chance to be part of Canberra's top-four surge.
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Told by Newcastle he could seek other options, the hooker signed with the Raiders and after an injury-plagued start, made his club debut in Saturday's win over the Warriors.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart shook Clydsdale's hand and wished him good luck before throwing him in late when the visitors stormed home to force golden-point extra time.
It was a positive end to a tumultuous period for Clydsdale, who suffered a shoulder injury in Canberra's only pre-season trial against the Knights.
Soon after his return he injured his ankle in NSW Cup, but Kurt Baptiste's foot injury has given him a chance to prove his worth.
"[Ricky] pretty much said good luck and run the ball when you can," Clydsdale said.
"We did a lot of defending and I didn't get much opportunity, but it was good to get out there.
"It [injuries] was pretty tough, I was in the wars for a bit but I'm 100 per cent fit now and it's good to get a shot."
Clydsdale is the third Knight to join Canberra this year, joining higher profile teammates Joey Leilua and Joseph Tapine.
The 23-year-old lived with Tapine at Newcastle and knew Raiders attack coach Mick Crawley from his time at the Knights.
While the rebuilding Knights have won just one game this season, the Raiders have saluted in six of their last seven to surge to fourth before Sunday's clash with South Sydney.
"The Knights said I'm free to look elsewhere if I want and I took that opportunity," he said.
"I knew Mick and had a talk to him about my options, he ended up down here as well.
"I actually lived with Joey Tapine in Newcastle, we get along good and along with BJ [Leilua], he's a good bloke.
"I pride myself on being a long-minutes player but I'll take my opportunities when I can, if it's 10 minutes it's 10 minutes.
"The squad the club's built is unbelievable, everyone in the Mounties team could play NRL."
The Raiders are expected to name an unchanged line-up for Sunday's trip to Souths as they search for their fifth consecutive win.
NRL ROUND 21
Sunday: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium, 2pm. Tickets: Available from Ticketek. TV: Live on Fox Sports 1.
