Newcastle Knight Jack Stockwell says the Knights intend to halt Wests Tigers momentum this Sunday at Hunter Stadium.
Boasting a sizable contingent up front, he believes it will be crucial to control the game through the middle.
“They have a good pack with Woodsy (Aaron Woods) leading from the front. They will lay a good platform and will work off the back of it,” he said on Tuesday.
“We will have to stop that momentum they have in the forwards and nullify their attacking weapons.
“They are off the cuff, that’s how they play with offloads and stuff like that, so you have to slow the momentum and slow the whole game down.
“We have to be good in our defence and if our defence is good, we’ll get rid of most of the problems."
While Stockwell acknowledges the challenge this weekend, he looks forward to testing himself against the opposition.
“You have to lift every week, but coming up against Woods, he’s a benchmark player and is an Origin front rower, so it’s always good to test where my game is at coming up against the likes of him.
“It will be a good test.”
Stockwell was pleased with his performance following his first match in the NRL on Saturday after a number of injury setbacks.
While the team didn’t produce the ideal result against the Melbourne Storm, he extracted personal positives from the experience.
“I was happy with my game, but there are still a lot of things to work on. I’m just happy to be out there with the boys,” he said.
“It was a good physical game and it was a lot quicker than I remember it from last year."
Stockwell expects the side to receive a lift from the return of Tariq Sims on Sunday.
“His energy around training and all the boys here is just fantastic," he said.
“To have him back and the three captains going together on the field will just be enormous for the team."
The Knights return home on Sunday and plan to embrace the energy provided from a passionate home crowd in what will be the Voice for Mining Family Day.
“I can’t wait to get back. I’m looking forward to being at home and playing this weekend,” he said.
“You always want to win at Hunter Stadium. It’s a great atmosphere, especially when it’s packed full.
"There’s nothing better."
Sunday April 10 – Round 6
Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Gates Open: 11.15am
Reserve grade: 11.30am
NYC: 1.45pm
NRL Kick off: 4pm
Match Day information is HERE.
