After spending three years as head coach of English Super League club Hull KR, Craig Sandercock has returned to Newcastle, stepping back in as Rick Stone’s right-hand-man.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to be here,” he tells Knights TV on Thursday, two weeks into the Knights' pre-season.
“Everyone’s training well, whether it’s Kurt Gidley or some of our younger boys.
“They’re all training really hard and there’s competition for spots.
“It’s really enjoyable and it’s good to be working with Rick Stone again, that’s for sure.”
While Sandercock is in the same position as the one he occupied at the Knights from 2010 to 2012, the former school teacher believes he now has a great deal more experience to draw from.
“It was a really good experience (coaching Hull KR)," Sandercock added.
"It’s a bit different over there but it was a massive learning curve for me and hopefully I’ve brought a few little things back here to the Knights.”
In terms of the Knights’ pre-season, Sandercock says a balancing act between aerobic fitness and ball skills is key.
“It’s all about that aerobic base right now and they’re training really hard,” he explains.
“But in saying that we’re keen to get the footy in their hands and work on a couple of little structures in attack and defence.
“Hopefully we’ll tie that in, and come the New Year we’ll hit the ground running.”
