Bennett: Joel axe not payback for quitting the Knights in favour of the Raiders

WAYNE Bennett has dumped Joel Edwards from the squad to meet the Sharks but denies it's in retaliation for the backrower joining the Raiders next season.

NEWCASTLE coach Wayne Bennett has dumped Canberra-bound forward Joel Edwards from the squad to meet the Sharks on Monday night but denies it's in retaliation for the backrower joining the Raiders next season.

Edwards, who rejected an offer to re-sign with the Knights more than a week ago only to link with Canberra 48 hours later, will play NSW Cup today for the Knights against the Mounties in Sydney.

With prop Kade Snowden set to return against his former club after spending the past five weeks on the sideline with a knee injury, Bennett has opted to keep Zane Tetevano in his 17 man squad at the expense of Edwards, despite naming him earlier in the week.

Asked whether Edwards had been discarded on form, Bennett said: "That's what you get picked on here."

Pressed on whether he was concerned it might be implied Edwards had been axed because of his decision to quit the club, Bennett said: "That's a possibility but if you're worried about your critics, you can't do what I do. You could pick two or three guys probably to go back. He's had the benefit of the doubt all year and I'm trying to help one or two others get a bit of confidence about themselves.

'There's nothing between about three of them. Right now, we have to get the best team on the paddock.

"Zeb's (Taia) going - other guys are leaving. There's been none of that (departing players being dropped) happening here and it's not going to happen here.

"If we were down the bottom of the comp and preparing for next year, then you make other decisions. But right now, we want the best team out there because these guys have confidence in themselves that they can make the play-offs and that's what we are aiming for."

Kade Snowden

Despite being sidelined for more than a month, Bennett expects Snowden to make an impact up front first game back against the Sharks.

"He's a very talented player and one that we need in the team," Bennett said. "He's looking fresh and I'm sure he's keen to play well."

Bennett declared his side's poor starts to games had to end if the Knights are to continue their late charge for a play-offs berth after they conceded 24 points in 17 minutes to the Bulldogs last weekend.

"The latter half of the season has been great for us," he said.

"We are in good form and if we get the starts right on a consistent basis, that's our best chance of finishing the season well."

Meanwhile, the Knights coach said re-signing prop Willie Mason for a further two years is a formality.

"Willie with re-sign - that will be done," he said.

"We haven't put pen to paper or discussed a lot of terms but it will happen."