With competition returning to home grounds this week in the NRL, the Newcastle Knights are well aware they’re going to be facing an uphill battle when they take on the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval.
Forward Aidan Guerra says Newcastle is one side that’s been lucky enough to play close to home during the pandemic.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to play in front of our fans at the Central Coast, there might have been 500 people but it felt like 5,000, you just get a lift when you hear them cheering and this weekend we will work on the reverse of that, we might need a lift when we hear some boos,” he said.
Captain Mitchell Pearce says the side has spent this week working through its shortcomings in last weekend’s clash with the Cowboys.
“It was definitely a lesson, we definitely didn’t turn up in the first half and the Cowboys, full credit to them, had played a strong, tough, physical game,” he said.
“They set their game up, we did the opposite so, as a group, I thought we showed some strength in mind to get us back to a reasonable finish but it wasn’t good enough for us.”
Guerra said it was all about turning the side’s performance around when it comes to Sunday’s clash, with the Eagles eighth on the ladder.
“We know we weren’t at our best and we know in the NRL we need to be at our best every week – I think that’s just one of the many lessons we are going to take out of this season,” he said.
“We have reflected on the game and learnt our lessons and now it’s time to move forward and look at what we can do against Manly.”
And, while the squad’s eyes are on its opposition, its main focus is always in its own backyard.
“We watched a bit of Manly and they’re a quality side but we are focused on getting our game back on for this week and I’m sure Manly will be doing the same,” Pearce said.
The Knights are going into the clash expecting the first 10 to 15 minutes to be brutal, but are hoping they can come out on top.
“It’s a game where both sides have shown potential this year and I guess both sides will want to play up to that this weekend but we’ll work as hard as we can to make sure we’re the side that comes out on top,” Guerra said.
“These guys are going to show up to play and we have to match it and if we do show up as well it’s going to be a hell of a football game.”
