Kalyn Ponga, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Edrick Lee.
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They are the players Knights recruit Hymel Hunt is hoping to become more accustomed with in 2019 as he declares himself ready to take on the role of left centre.
Versatile back Hunt has been training in the position and looks likely to line-up there for both of Newcastle’s upcoming trials and next month’s opening round.
Lee is currently outside him on the wing while five-eighth Ponga and back-rower Fitzgibbon form the rest of that edge.
Hunt’s chance comes with Tautau Moga, who faces an assault charge at Newcastle Local Court on March 21, still returning from last year’s knee reconstruction.
The 25-year-old Hunt, who has previously notched up 50 NRL games across South Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, feels ready to make his mark in the starting team.
“One hundred percent,” Hunt said after training at Mayfield on Monday.
“I think Tau might be there [for the trials] or he might be coming back slowly. I don’t know how much time he’ll play.
“But I’m just grabbing the opportunity with both hands.
“I think that’s the best way I can be. Coming to a new club, they’ve been so welcoming, and I’m just making sure I do my role the best I can.
“I just want to prove to them how good of a player I can be and show my new team what I can do.”
Hunt said new combinations between him, Lee, Ponga and Fitzgibbon were starting to take shape.
“It’s been awesome being with KP [Ponga] and a few other boys like big Fitz [Fitzgibbon] on the left back row,” Hunt said.
“Just getting all the new combinations, obviously coming to a new club and trying to earn that trust of your new teammates and coaches.”
With a little over a week until the Knights’ first pre-season fixture against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Jubilee Stadium (February 23), Hunt knows “not just training but performing in trials” will be important for all players in the Newcastle squad.
“We’ve got our first trial next week against the Dragons and I think most NRL clubs and NRL players would back me up saying we can’t wait for the footy,” Hunt said.
“Obviously all the hard slog and hard training take a toll on your body and mind, but footy is the fun part and why we all play it.”
Fellow Knights signing and front-rower James Gavet, 29, said he has been inspired by the “bright-eyed, bushy-tailed” youngsters during off-season training.
“Me personally, I rock up some days and just feel like it’s work again,” Gavet said.
“Then you see a bright eyed, bushy-tailed, first-year, pre-season guy come up and be like ‘we’re ready, we’ve got this’. That’s where we can help each other out. Obviously, as you do, you share wisdom with the younger folk, but you can take plenty from them as well.”
Gavet said he hasn’t spoken with Knights coach Nathan Brown about a specific role for 2019, but wants to be where “is best for the team”.
“Some weeks it might not be me, I might not be the best option,” Gavet said. “He [Brown] has been giving me plenty of positive feedback. What I’m doing well and things I need to work on.”
Meanwhile, former Knights lower grader Jack Johns was on Monday named by Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett in South Sydney’s squad for this weekend’s trial against a Riverina representative side in Albury.
Johns, son of Knights legend Matthew and nephew of eighth Immortal Andrew, will wear the No.11 jersey and it comes after he finished last season with Newcastle Rugby League club Wests.