Newcastle Knight Jack Stockwell believes strong preparation in the lead up to Saturday's trial match in Orange will aid the side when it comes up against the Canberra Raiders at Wade Park.
"The atmosphere has been good the last couple of weeks of training," he said on Wednesday before the team departed for Orange.
"The boys have been buying into it a lot.
"We're just looking forward to putting what we've trained for out on the field."
Stockwell says he looks forward to seeing what the side's younger, emerging players produce in the Club's last trial before season 2016 kicks off.
"It's exciting times I think here at the Knights, to see what the boys will put together and go out on the field with,' he said.
"There's a lot of hunger, you see it at training day in day out with the boys all vying for spots.
"That's important, to have healthy competition...It's good for the team."
The trial will see an eager Stockwell make a return from injury setbacks after being sidelined by a ruptured bicep in June before a calf complaint in the pre-season.
"I'm stoked because it's been a while since I've been on the paddock, but I've been training with the boys fully since after Christmas...so it will be good to get back on the park."
For more information about the Newcastle Knights' trial match in Orange on Saturday, CLICK HERE.
