Country boy Martin wants to lead Knights to the promised land, starting with an SG Ball premiership

Inspirational Newcastle Knights skipper Myles Martin has enjoyed the biggest year of his career, highlighted by training with the NRL boys, and now he’s eyeing off an SG Ball premiership.

Myles Martin looks dangerous with the ball in Newcastle’s preliminary final win over Penrith. Picture: Thomas Lisson

AS Newcastle experiences a resurgence in rugby league on the back of an NRLW title and their NRL counterparts getting back to competing against the best, the junior reps have the latest chance to add silverware this weekend.

The Knights will be represented in both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball grand finals on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval, a promising sign for the future of the club.

They caused a minor boilover after coming from behind to down the Panthers in the U19s preliminary final, and captain Martin Myles said that has given them the belief they can go all the way.

“Everyone’s excited. We’ve worked pretty hard through the season to get here and the vibes around training are really good,” Myles said.

“There’s been a lot of sacrifice to get to this point. We went into the finals series with that drive, and wanted to keep up our effort areas of defending and moving.

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“Penrith got the better of us in round two and had a great year. To get one over them and advance to the grand final is awesome.”

Hailing from Bathurst and playing his junior football with St Pat’s, the country feel of Newcastle attracted the star lock to the club last year.

He’s taken the next step in that journey, including spending time with the NRL squad in the pre-season, which has him eyeing off future goals.

“I loved my footy early and once I got to an age where reps kicked in, it gave me more drive to hopefully make it one day,” he said.

“To go from seeing them on TV through to training with them, it makes me think that it could be me in a couple of years.

“Newcastle is a good place and it has a country feel and city vibe.”

Myles has routinely led from the front for Newcastle this season as a key pillar in the middle of the field, enhanced after being named as captain.

“When I was named as captain I knew it was the next step and I had to pick my game up,” he said.

“One of my goals was to captain the side and to lead these boys to a grand final.

“I definitely want to go up to Flegg and hopefully NSW Cup later this year.

“Training with the NRL boys and then coming back, it motivates you to want to move through the grades.

“My first day with them I was a bit nervous, but the boys got around us and helped me so much. I’m grateful for that experience. It was unreal.”