Sunday’s match at Hunter Stadium against the St George Illawarra Dragons is set to be a day of mixed emotions for Newcastle Knights' prop Adam Cuthbertson.
It will be Cuthbertson's final game in the red and blue, after signing a four-year deal with English Super League Club Leeds.
While the 2014 season may have been one of the most tumultuous of the 29-year-old’s career, Cuthbertson attests he looks back on his time at the Knights with great fondness.
"I’ve had quite a few successful periods where I’ve played really good football, and then I’ve struggled with a few injuries as well, so I’m just glad I got back from injury through the middle of this year and have been able to come back and get back into playing some of my best football for the Club, because I feel like I owe it to them,” he said.
“It’s been an unreal time and I’ve loved living here and playing for the Club and will definitely call this my home when I come back to Australia."
Not only does he want to cap off his time at the Knights with a win for himself, but for coach Wayne Bennett who is also leaving at season's end.
“I’ve been with Wayne for four years now, so personally I’d like to send him off on the right note,” Cuthbertson said.
“It’s my last game as well so it would be nice to leave on the right note with him.”
The Knights has hit good form and maintained momentum to record some unforgettable wins in the back end of the 2014 season against tough opposition like the Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters. Then there was the Parramatta Eels on Sunday, which was another solid performance from the men in red and blue.
“We were always confidence we had a good game plan in tact, everyone was feeling good and we trained well during the week and we’ve playing some really good football at home,” Cuthbertson admitted.
“We did a great job and really put it to them in that last 20 minutes.
“It was always there, but was just a matter of having consistency, we’ve had a lot of dramas throughout the year.
“We just spoke about going out there and playing for each other and finishing the year off on a high and more or less just enjoying our footy, and that’s what we did.
"You always go out there and try your hardest, so the most fun moments of the game were in the last 20 and that’s when we became really confident because we started getting more control of the game and that’s when more points started to get put on the board."
Sunday's game also marks Old Boys Day, which celebrates the Club’s past greats.
“It’s always good to see all the players from the past turn up and get behind us,” Cuthbertson said.
“You never want to let them down because they played with plenty of pride at the Club and you’d like to think you can do them proud as well."
In the wake of he Mata’utia brother’s five try haul against Parramatta last weekend, Cuthbertson expects another explosive game from Chanel and Sione.
“They are great and the brothers in the NRL in general are on fire with Pete over at St George as well, so we have to watch out for him," he said.
“They are playing really confident football.
Cuthbertson also acknowledged the support of centres Joey Leilua and Dane Gagai.
“They’ve been giving them some good space and playing really well so that helps them out massively.
“They are making the most if the opportunity that comes and it’s great to see.
“It will be a great competition out there.”
