Knights coach Adam O'Brien has dismissed injury concerns about the Saifiti brothers and Bradman Best, insisting all three are certainties to play against the Sydney Roosters in round one.
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Strike forwards Daniel (foot) and Jacob (back) Saifiti did not play in the Knights' 24-10 loss to the Melbourne Storm on Sunday but O'Brien said they missed the trial purely as a precaution and would have played if it was a competition match.
Best, who came off with a knee complaint midway through the first half, was also "no stress" for the season-opener and could have finished the game if required, the coach said
The Knights trailed 6-4 at halftime in Ballarat but were out-gunned in the second half with the Storm scoring three tries to seal victory.
O'Brien was undeterred by the result and said that despite being taught a "couple of lessons" by the Storm, his side showed encouraging signs of development.
"There were some parts of the game that were really encouraging and then typical Melbourne, there were some parts of the game that if you have a bit of a microsleep, that will kill you. They will make you pay," O'Brien said.
"We got a couple of lessons there in some moments but ... it was a pretty close contest when the two teams had their best sides going at it.
"There were some encouraging signs there but there were still some signs where we were getting done in moments.
"Melbourne are a highly-intelligent team and they will get you on those."
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O'Brien said prior to the game that the Storm would be a good gauge of where his side were at and he believes they are on the right track.
"I'm not concerned in any way," he said.
"There were a couple of tries there that we were left wanting at the end ... but our top 20-odd players are all in good condition.
"We are moving well defensively, we absorbed a lot of pressure, especially early in the second half.
"I know the score-line probably doesn't reflect that but I'm seeing a lot of good parts to our defence.
"I'm also seeing the framework of the attack. We purposely weren't going to throw everything that we've been working on, in [the] trials, but I'm seeing the framework there."
With 20 minutes left to play, Jake Clifford's try from a solo run brought the deficit back to 18-10 but a Storm victory appeared likely.
The Knights had already pulled Kalyn Ponga from the field after the Storm scored their second try at the 55th minute mark and Clifford exited the game after his try.
O'Brien said the Saifitis' absence limited his side's attacking opportunities and the involvement of Ponga, who had only two runs.
"We certainly missed both the Saifiti boys not being there, that was noticeable, but in saying that I was really happy with Barney and Klem. They did a good job laying a platform," O'Brien said.
"You start with your top-line front-rowers to help Klem and Barney you'll see a bit more of Kalyn Ponga.
"Melbourne are a very good defensive team and they slow things down. We weren't getting a lot of ruck speed there."
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The Knights enter this season with a hooker and halfback who at the end of last season were back-up players in their positions.
Asked if it would take time for the side's spine to click, O'Brien said he was pleased with how the key players were progressing.
"It will only get better as the season goes on and the more time they spend together, but that's not an excuse for round one," he said.
"We're at a good standard now and I expect a performance round one."
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