With six games left in the home and away fixture, captain Kurt Gidley said the focus is well and truly on a positive finish to season 2014.
The Knights are sitting in fourteenth position, four wins outside the eight, with six rounds left to play. Four of these are on home turf, in front of Newcastle’s faithful.
“I just want to do our supporters proud,” Gidley explained when asked about what is motivating the team.
“We started that last week and even the Sharks game, when we came from behind.
“I think that is what our fans want to see; that desire to play tough and win tough.
“They have been through a rough time, they go through the highs and lows like we do, so I want to do them proud.”
Speaking of last week’s win, Gidley missed the game due to a groin injury but watched on in sheer delight.
“I was proud, just so proud as captain of the Club,” he explained.
“Watching the three young guys at the back, they were full of enthusiasm, they saved plenty of tries between them and the way they carried the ball.
“I was like a fan, proud like everyone else who turned out on a wet Friday night to watch the team.”
Asked if the finals are out of the equation, the skipper hadn’t given it a thought.
“I just look forward to each week, I know we have South Sydney this week and that is a big one up in Cairns,” he said.
“They are a big physical pack and we need to meet that challenge.
“You get plenty of confidence beating the top teams but our challenge throughout the year has been consistency.
“We have let ourselves down with that.
“It was a great win for the Club last week but we need to back it up against another quality team in Souths this week.”
The team travel to Cairns on Friday and will finalise preparations at Barlow Park with an open training session on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, Gidley was happy for his older brother to continue his tenure as CEO.
“It has been a rough time, his first three years, but I am really happy and really proud of the job he has done,” the younger brother said.
Why the beanie? The Knights support the Mark Hughes Foundation, CLICK HERE to find out more.
