Knights stars Mitch Barnett, Kurt Mann and Hymel Hunt will go into Newcastle's NRL season opener against the Bulldogs in less than a fortnight without a trial under their belt with all three to miss today's hit-out against Melbourne Storm in Albury.
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Mann [sister's wedding] and Hunt [hamstring] were left out of coach Adam O'Brien's squad named earlier in the week with Barnett withdrawing yesterday on compassionate grounds to spend time with an ailing relative.
It is far from the ideal scenario with fullback Kalyn Ponga, winger Edrick Lee, five-eighth Blake Green and backrower Lachlan Fitzgibbon all unavailable to start the season due to surgeries and injury.
Brodie Jones will replace Barnett in the starting side against the Storm while Phoenix Crossland is at five-eighth for Mann and Starford To'a and Gehamat Shibasaki will cover the vacant wing spots.
O'Brien is not concerned with three of his players missing the club's only top-grade trial leading into the Bulldogs clash, believing their pre-season training load will have them more than ready to go in round one.
As it stands, the bulk of his top playing group will play only limited minutes against Melbourne.
"I think they [Storm] are talking about playing their main squad for 60 minutes but there will be quite a few of our guys probably only out there for 40 or so," O'Brien told the Newcastle Herald.
"Guys like Junior [Mitchell Pearce] and Brails [Jayden Brailey] and there are others there as well who we'll only keep out there for 40 mins max."
He seems really focused and he's in a good place at the moment.
- Coach Adam O'Brien on Mitchell Pearce
The Knights 17 for the Bulldogs clash is virtually settled but with a squad of 23 players named to tackle Melbourne, it will be a great opportunity for some fringe players to make a real statement.
Talented young back Simi Sasagi is one player sure to be given a chance to impress in quality company as will teenage English recruit Dominic Young.
"There are some personnel who aren't quite there just in terms of the shortened pre-season and lack of footy last season who will get a really good opportunity against the Storm," O'Brien said.
"We'll apply some stuff we have worked on in the summer but just to get an opportunity to go our there and compete against someone that we haven't trained with is the main thing and get some contact in and get ready for round one."
O'Brien said halfback Mitchell Pearce is raring to go after fully recovering from thumb surgery a month ago.
"He seems really focused and he's in a good place at the moment," he said.
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Barry Toohey
Barry Toohey is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald. He covers the Newcastle Knights and hosts the Toohey's News Podcast.
Barry Toohey is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald. He covers the Newcastle Knights and hosts the Toohey's News Podcast.
