It’s never easy being told you're not in the starting side but Tyrone Roberts is taking the news in his stride.
In fact, Roberts insists coach Wayne Bennett's decision to use him in an impact role off the bench in the past two weeks has reinvigorated his game.
"Wayne wants me around the ball and that’s where I’m most dangerous," Roberts told Knights TV in the sheds after Sunday's win over Parramatta.
"It’s good being in the middle. It’s different, but I’m enjoying it and working hard.
"It’s also good for me being around tired forwards and it’s working at the moment, so I’ve just got to keep it up."
In 41 solid minutes against Parramatta on Sunday, Roberts made 21 tackles and regularly tested the opposition with his fleet footed running style.
He believes sustained effort for the full 80 minutes was the key to defeating the Eels on their home patch.
"The effort has been there all year, so it’s good to get the results and the boys are enjoying it," he says.
"Our second halves have been letting us down, so we wanted to fix that up and we did.
"The camaraderie in the group at the moment is very high. I just think the Cowboys win brought us closer together."
The Knights have the bye this week, before they take on the Cronulla Sharks at Remondis Stadium in Round 18.
Roberts says the team's second bye has come at the perfect time.
"The bye is a good chance to rest up, but it's also great to get home and see the family," he says.
"I haven’t been home to Ballina for seven months, so it will be good and then we can come back and enjoy each other’s company again."
Newcastle may be in 14th position after 16 rounds, but Roberts insists his side hasn’t given up hope of playing finals football.
"It was never over, we just had to get a win," he maintains.
"We’ve got back-to-back wins now, so everyone is on a high."
It's a high Roberts hopes the Knights can maintain in the coming weeks.
