While the focus is on the nib Newcastle Knights ahead of their clash with rivals the Manly Sea Eagles on Friday at McDonald Jones Stadium, we looked at some of the things happening in enemy territory ahead of the season opener.
Manly have a few club debutants on their list, with five-eighth Lachlan Croker and second rower Joel Thompson set to feature for Round 1.
In just his second game for the Manly Sea Eagles, man mountain Kelepi Tanginoa will be looking to impress for the visitors.
The worry for him seemingly is the massive crowd expected at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday.
“It will be a full house up there. Newcastle is in the spotlight at the moment with the squad they have,” Tanginoa said on Manly’s website.
“I am just focused on worrying about what we have to do (to win).”
Matthew Wright has been named to play in the centres with Dylan Walker missing the start of the season due to injury.
Experienced prop Darcy Lussick is also out of the squad with an ankle injury.
It will be the first time Manly’s Akuila Uate will be playing at McDonald Jones Stadium since swapping the red and blue for maroon and white.
The cunning winger has had many good times with the Knights but will battle against the crowd this time round after his controversial try in Round 14 last year against his old team.
Some fans may still be bitter about that try awarded in the 58th minute which wasn’t reviewed by the NRL bunker.
And the Trbojevic brothers were doing a bit of kicking practice this week and showed if they take on kicking duties on Friday, they’ll have a steady boot to send it through the posts.
In a friendly sibling competition, the duo faced off with three kicks for goal each, Jake triumphed over brother Tom, 3-2, in a close battle for kicking supremacy.
