nib Newcastle Knights co-captain Jamie Buhrer says it’s positive to see competition between players within the squad, in a bid to retain their spots in first grade.
Buhrer pointed out that it’s no coincidence that all the top performing teams this season have competition for spots.
“I think he (Nathan Brown) made that message quite clear at the start of the year,” Buhrer said before the team traveled to Tamworth on Friday.
“We want to make sure that we are winning games this year, and not just here to compete.
“He has assembled a great squad and the town deserves a winning team at this point… with the competition that we have so far no one is really safe, and I think it’s a good thing to have that competition.
“All the teams up the top, there have been plenty of changes and no one is really safe in their position, and we don’t want to be any different… I think it’s a good thing moving forward for us.”
The utility forward admits fierce competition has increased intensity at training sessions and made all players accountable for their actions on and off the field.
“Our training sessions don’t lack any intensity, we have got a really deep squad with players with first grade potential playing in reserve grade,” Buhrer explained.
“We judge ourselves harshly coming into games because we want the absolute best from one another and for the town.”
As the Knights travel to Tamworth, Buhrer is excited to play in front of a country crowd and take on a team that will compete fiercely.
“The opportunity to play in Tamworth in front of a country crowd, which will hopefully be pro-Newcastle… it’s going to be exciting,” he said.
“It’s a good opportunity for us, going up against a Tigers team that has been playing some great football all year and they’re incredibly consistent and work hard for one another.
“With Corey Thompson, Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks… their confidence is high but what I see defensively from the Tigers is that they are willing to work hard for each other.
“We have an attack that is capable of scoring lots of points, we just need to hang in there, minimise their chances and match their effort.”
