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On Saturday at Hunter Stadium, the Knights come up against the Parramatta Eels, who are currently in eighth position and fighting to secure a finals spot.

The visitors will be confident after defeating Manly last weekend and also go into this round after winning four from their last five games.

Then there is Jarryd Hayne, who has been in arguably career-best form.

For captain Kurt Gidley, he at least has a personal insight into how his opposition number ticks.

“He used to be my roomy in Origin and Australia, so we have a pretty good relationship,” he revealed.

“He’s probably one of the most talented players I’ve ever seen play the game while I’ve been playing, and I’ve seen some great ones. 

“He has natural talent in the way he can turn a team and a game, we’ve seen that over the years.

“He’s an amazing player but I thought we did a pretty fair job on him last time down in Parra.” 

The Knights will take some confidence of their own following their Round 16 win over the Eels at Parramatta Stadium.

“Last time we presented a straight line, we named him (Jarryd) when he was around the footy and nominated him around the ball, it’s all good nominating him but you have to stop him as well," Gidley said.

“Getting numbers around him is certainly the key.

“He’ll probably will hurt you at some stage, it’s also being able to scramble and stop it before he scores, passes or gets any support runners.

“There’s probably no doubt he’s going to make a line break, throw a good ball to someone. 

“If you’re working hard in defence and making plenty of efforts then you’re a chance of stopping it.” 

The Knights know the Eels will come out firing but remain motivated by finishing the season out on a good note.

“We’ve had some really good wins over the past month or so and we want to send our fans away proud of their team and looking forward to next year,” Gidley said. 

“I think we just want to finish the year proud of our last two performances at home.

“We spoke about that just as a team at the end of training, over the years there are guys that leave and have to move on, retire and those sorts of things and you like to send them off with a smile on their face."

Meanwhile, on the back of media reports Club chairman, Paul Harragon would step aside from his role, Gidley praised his impact and passion during his time at the Club. 

“I think he’s done an outstanding job, I’ve never met a more passionate person about the Newcastle Knights, or Newcastle in general,” Gidley said. 

“Chief, he speaks with so much passion and has so much respect around the town. 

“He carries an aura with him and it’s a pretty special thing.

 “I think between him and my brother Matt (Gidley), they’ve done a fantastic job over the past three years keeping the Club together and stable.” 

Jarrod Mullen got through the final training session and the Knights are expected to line up 1-17 on Saturday.