For Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown, it is crucial players maintain belief in their ability to compete with the competition’s toughest sides.
Belief was part of what saw the side battle it out against the Canberra Raiders for a hard earned draw after golden point time as well as lead for the majority of the match against the Melbourne Storm on Sunday.
It is what will be relied upon when the Knights meet Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium this Sunday.
“As a whole every week when we enter the game, we have to go out there with some sort of belief that we can put ourselves in a position to do well, whether it’s playing the Tigers or whether it’s playing the Melbourne Storm,” he said ahead of Sunday’s Round 6 clash.
“Unfortunately in the end (against the Storm) we weren’t quite good enough, some of it due to our own ill discipline and some of it due to a little bit of game management.
“We went into the Melbourne game last week confident that, if we did certain things well, we could give ourselves an opportunity.
"We lost two blokes early in the game through injury and still put ourselves in the contest.
“I think they have had some positive feedback in the past couple of weeks."
While extra time on the road presented its challenges, Brown feels the side has become tighter as a unit after players were afforded the opportunity to develop closer bonds.
“It was really good. Being such a young squad being away from home a bit is probably a new experience for them I suppose,” he said.
“They got to spend time and get to know people. To spend a bit of time together was good and beneficial.
“We did some leadership work and spent a bit of time with Collingwood (AFL football club)."
On Sunday the Knights warmly welcomes Tariq Sims into the fold, which, according to Brown, will provide a timely lift.
“He has trained well and mentally is quite strong, so we’d like to see him go 80 and as a player it’s very important for us.
“If he’s confident he will, it shows us he will.”
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.
