Intensity upped as Newcastle Knights now out to win

The 2018 pre-season set a precedent for the Knights that after two wooden spoons, they were now about winning this year.

NEWCASTLE are not here to make up the numbers.

The 2018 pre-season set a precedent for the Knights that after two wooden spoons, they were now about winning this year.

Coach Nathan Brown emphasised that this week when dropped five-eighth Brock Lamb for Jack Cogger for today’s game against the Tigers.

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It was decision made on form and co-captain Jamie Buhrer said with the quality on their roster, players understood positions are not safe as the club is out for the win every week.

Players like Mitchell Pearce have lifted the intensity. Pic: Peter Lorimer.

“That was evident in the pre-season with the calibre of players who we have and internal expectation where we wanted to do more than just compete in every game,” Buhrer said.

“That’s certainly what’s transpired in the opening six rounds. We’ve had three really good performances and then three not so, but the want and desire to win games is certainly there.”

It has filtered through from pre-season too, with Buhrer noting a greater intensity each week at training sessions as well as during games.

Players have set high standards and expect to be hitting them.

“We’ve got a really deep squad and a lot of first graders may miss selection and will be playing in reserve grade so there’s intensity in the sessions,” he said.

“I suppose we judge ourselves much more harshly than we have in years past in training sessions and games, just because we want the absolute best from one and another and for the town.”

Jacob Saifiti is keen to push for a starting spot. Pic: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Buhrer said he is happy to continue filling in where Brown needs him, having played five-eighth, centre, back row and hooker at some stage this season.

Likewise, hulking forward Jacob Saifiti said he is content in his impact role off the bench, if that’s where the coach feels he works best.

Saifiti has started just 12 games in his 43-game career, but said he’s still working on his game to push into the 13 should the chance arise.

“That’s the goal,” Saifiti said. “If it was up to me I would start like that but if the best role for me in the team is to come off the bench and bring some impact that’s what I’ll do, but that is one thing I’ve been looking forward to this year.

“Defence is probably the number one thing (for me) ... my attack is always going to be there but defensively it’s something I need to work on.”

Originally published as Intensity upped as Newcastle Knights now out to win