Set to play his third NRL game for the season, experienced nib Newcastle forward Mickey Paea looks forward to Friday night's match against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
“We have been competitive in the last couple of games but being competitive and playing well doesn’t get you a result,” explained Paea.
“Our focus is on going down there and doing the job.
“They are a great team and they’re going to be hard down there so the focus will be on ourselves.”
Paea said this week there’s even more motivation to get the two points.
“There is a few milestones, Trent being his 150th game and Shaun Kenny-Dowall is making his debut so we’ll want to try and make it a memorable one for them and hopefully get the win,” Paea commented.
The Knights forward acknowledged he’s just grateful to get the NRL call-up.
“I have been plugging away in Reserve Grade but always happy to come back,” Paea admitted.
“Especially at this age, got to count your blessings when you’re playing NRL so happy to come back and confident I can do a job.”
Meanwhile Paea has praised team mate Trent Hodkinson for his recent commitment off the field after he took Hannah to her school formal.
“We woke up to the news, circling on the radio and on social media,” smiled Paea, after Thursday's captain's run.
“That’s just Trent, he’s a real community guy, charity or anything and he’s always there taking part in our community.”
“For us as players, it is our small way of giving back to the community because they’ve given us so much especially in the last couple of years with it being tough.”
Meanwhile, Jack Cogger and Brendan Elliot dropped off the extended bench for Friday's match against the Sydney Roosters. The 17-man team will be confirmed at 5pm on Friday.
The NRL is also celebrating Women in League Round to acknowledge the role of women in the game and their participation at grassroots level.
