Mark Applegarth admits Cameron McInnes is a player he admires after York Knights were linked with a move for the Australian forward.

The 32-year-old, who represented New South Wales in State of Origin as recently as 2024, is approaching the end of his Cronulla Sharks contract and had been expected to join NRL newcomers Perth Bears.

However, he has been tipped to move to Super League after those talks broke down, with Love Rugby League reporting that York have launched an ambitious bid for the former South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons hooker/loose forward.

"You'd have to ask Clint (Goodchild, owner) on that one," said Applegarth when asked about the speculation during Wednesday's press conference.

"Cam is a quality player. I think anyone who has followed rugby league for the last few years would know that.

"Is he a player I'd be interested in? One hundred per cent he is. Not only for what he can do on the field but culturally and the standards a player like that sets for himself.

"You listen to how his current head coach, Craig Fitzgibbon, speaks about him and that tells you everything you'd need to know.

"If he is linked with us, excellent."

Cameron McInnes has been linked with a move to York. (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Cameron McInnes has been linked with a move to York. (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

York have a mix of experience and unproven players for their first season in Super League, a group led by the likes of Liam Harris, Paul McShane and Paul Vaughan.

Applegarth confirmed that McInnes is the profile of player the Knights are targeting in their bid to establish themselves at the top level.

"Of course it is," said the York boss. "We're on a journey and are not naive enough to think that we wouldn't have to supplement the current squad we’ve got.

"We know we've got a good core group. This year it's great that we're exposing that core group to Super League, supplemented with players such as Sam Wood and Paul Vaughan.

Mark Applegarth is in the market for high-calibre recruits. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

"But we also know we need to keep on strengthening and if players of Cam's calibre become available and Clint can get deals such as that signed, I'd be over the moon and delighted because they'd strengthen us on and off the field."