There’s been no shortage of interest in our boys this week.
The nib Newcastle Knights attracted plenty of media attention and we’ve pulled together some of it in case you missed it.
O'Brien's defensive mindset
Head Coach Adam O’Brien has continued his maiden round of media appearances, this time sitting down with Sydney-based paper The Daily Telegraph.
O’Brien conducted a wide-ranging interview with Telegraph journalist Michael Carayannis, with his coaching style, recruitment strategy and even his maiden speech to the playing group all on the agenda.
O’Brien admitted his first message to the group when they return to training on Wednesday will be simple.
“If you want to feel good you don’t play rugby league because you’re not going to feel good for the whole 80 minutes,” O’Brien said.
The new boss is already happy with where the group are at, with 22 players taking part in voluntary training sessions last week.
“That shows me straight away they care,” O’Brien said.
“They didn’t enjoy what happened at the end of the year.”
While he’s happy with the voluntary sessions, the new boss admits there’s a lot harder work to be done if finals football is the end goal.
“We need to have some honest conversations about where we are at,” he said.
“If we don’t change some behaviour then we will get the same results.”
Hunt sets sights on Queensland call up and right-side switch
Hymel Hunt has inked a new two-year deal with the Knights this week and has opened up to The Newcastle Herald about what he wishes to achieve in that time.
The outside back has looked towards a Maroons berth, with Will Chambers vacating the left-centre position for Queensland.
"Everyone who knows me knows I'm a Queenslander, through and through," Hunt told the Herald.
"I grew up in Brisbane from the age of two.
"I played Queensland under-20s. I'm actually wearing Queensland budgies today.
"I would be a dream come true, but first things first. It's all about doing well for my club and then keeping my fingers crossed."
Despite his obvious ambition, Hunt is still prepared to do whatever he has to for the Knights next year.
Hunt played most of last season on the left side however has expressed his desire to switch to the right, in order to allow Bradman Best to slot into his preferred place on the left edge.
"I played two years at Souths on the right edge," Hunt said.
"As I said to Adam, wherever the team needs me, I'll play."
