In a buzzing dressing shed in Cronulla, Knight Jeremy Smith speaks to the boys after their 31-18 come back against the Sharks to secure a win for coach Wayne Bennett who celebrated his 700th first grade game on Sunday.
Speaking to his coach after the match, Smith declared the second half a massive effort for the team after the big turn around and told his coach the boys really ripped in for him today.
“I never spoke about it and I didn’t want it to be an issue here, I just wanted you all to play well for yourself and each other and you’ve don’t that, and I get rewarded,” Bennett said.
“That’s how it’s been my whole coaching career.”
The match was also a special one for Willie Mason who scored his first try since 2012.
“I was only talking about it today when I was getting strapped, I said, 'I need to score a try',” he said to his teammate (laughing).
“It’s been since 2012, so it’s been a dry spell and it’s about time I got one."
The Knights pulled together and brought the game back their way in the second half clawing their way to the lead after a 18-0 score at halftime.
“We defended really well I think in the back half of the first half," Mason said.
“We were down 18 nil and I think our defence really got into it.
“Our senior players really stood up. Our forwards and our backs just executed and we just got the job done which is good.
"The dream’s alive still.
“People like Wayne, they’re pretty special,” the veteran forward added.
“I’ve always had the faith that we were going to won, even if it was 18-nil down.
"I thought I really don't think he deserves to lose because he’s such a good man.
"It worked out all right anyway.”
Starting hooker, Adam Clydsdale returned from injury in Round 18 and put the win down to hard work and sticking to the game plan.
“I found it tough as usual and it was fast,” he told Smith after the game.
“I was a bit buggered, but it was good.
“We gave a way few penalties late in the tackle count and made a few errors which really hurt us in the end, so that wasn’t good.
“In the second half we completed our sets, and didn’t give away any penalties so that won us the game in the end."
The Knights look to bag their 6th win of the season against the Titans in the Rise For Alex Round at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
The NRL will donate $1 for every person who attend the game and any other game in the NRL during the round.
Click here to buy your ticket for the game to show your support for Alex.
