As the long, long pre-season winds down, excitement for another NRL season is quickly ramping up as the nib Newcastle Knights will taste their last piece of game action before Round One against the recently-crowned back-to-back World Club Champions.
The Roosters contain a notable force of star-power as the first team return back from England, but none of that is of forward Tim Glasby’s concern.
The State of Origin representative instead suggested that the trials weren’t time to worry about the opposition, and that all the focus will be on perfecting the practices coach Adam O’Brien has been instilling in them since the beginning of pre-season.
“I don’t know what they’re doing…but trial games are more so about you and what you’re doing anyway,” Glasby said.
Glasby: Roosters clash, fitness, Buderus
“We can’t control what they’re doing and the team they might put up so we’ll just roll in and focus on what we can too.
“They’re a very good club the Roosters. They’ve got plenty of depth and if they do have some inexperienced players, I’m sure they’ll be out there doing their job well because that’s what that club does.”
Glasby expects O’Brien to name a much smaller squad than in the previous outing against the Dragons as the team look to establish and strengthen combinations ahead of the first proper match.
Gardner: Buderus appointment, Ponga speculation
Last weekend the side showed many positive signs in the first half in Maitland, but the 30-year-old admitted there’s plenty the coaching staff want to boys to work on following a disappointing second stanza.
“He [O’Brien] said to us that he saw a lot of what he wanted to see, particularly in the first half, then there were a lot of what he definitely didn’t want to see in that second half,” he said.
“We worked on it yesterday at training, we’ll work it again today and put it into practice in the game on Saturday.
Brailey: 'Ponga will complete us'
“It’s a good chance to put some more minutes in.
“It’s our last game until the season starts so it’s an exciting time of year.”
Glasby also mentioned his thrill surrounding the recent announcement of Danny Buderus’ appointment as General Manager of Football at the club.
It’s been over two years since Buderus was involved officially with the club and the lock and prop forward admitted it wasn’t just the fans and staff who are eager to work with him.
“I think everyone is really excited,” he said.
“He’s obviously a huge part of this club’s history, he’s a great person to have around.
“We love seeing him around the place so to have him around every day will be great.”
