There’s been no shortage of interest in our boys this week.
After their devastating loss to the Dragons in golden point, the nib Newcastle Knights attracted plenty of media attention and we’ve pulled together some of the best in case you missed any of the news.
FAITH IN LINO
It was a debut for the Newcastle Knights he won’t forget.
Mason Lino on from start to finish in their devastating golden point loss against the Dragons in Round 4.
It was also his first time combining with captain Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
Family first for Ponga
With Connor Watson out injured, Lino took the place of Kalyn Ponga, who made the switch back to fullback for the first time this season.
Newly retired Knight Nathan Ross has backed the 25-year-old to build on his first performance for the red and blue.
Ross told Triple M’s 102.9, Lino has the talent to complete the Knights spine.
“Mase is such a great player, but I don’t think he injected himself into the game as much as he should have,” Ross told Tanya.
'Joey said there was no way we could lose'
“If he played to his ability; he’s a tremendous halfback, he’s got a stellar kicking game, his defence is solid, he can direct a team around the park.
“I think he is going to continue to build from here in that halves combination and we’ll see the best of it.”
PEARCE PROTECTION
The Knights have vowed to better protect Mitchell Pearce on the last tackle after he was hurried, harassed and occasionally hit last week.
"It's probably an area where we can get better at to try to protect 'Junior' and help his kicks land in better positions," Fitzgibbon said after the team's video review.
Why Barnett played less minutes
"Tariq Sims is an animal at times and he makes no secret he likes to put good kick-pressure on kickers, and he's made a name for himself doing that. He's one of the best in the game doing that.
"We need to identify when there's players such as Tariq in teams that like to kick-pressure our halves and what we can do to try to rectify that sort of situation."
