Newcastle Knight Nathan Ross views every NRL game he plays as an achievement.
So he was understandably thrilled to gain his first NRL game of the season last weekend against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.
“It was good to get back there and know all the hard work I put in in the pre-season has come together,” he said.
“It was almost a Steven Bradbury, a few people fell over in order for me to get there, but now that I’m there, it’s my spot to hold on to.”
The game was a tough lesson for the young team who were forced to manage a bombardment from a dominating Souths side.
“I guess in a game like that you have to learn never to give up and to find something in your self to keep going when your back is against the wall,” he said.
“I guess that’s what Newcastle is made of.”
Ross returns to the starting side on the wing and is determined to bring impact and energy against the Canberra Raiders.
“We know we have to come back this weekend with a little bit of fire in our belly, for not only our first home game for 2016 but for Jarrod Mullen’s 200th game,” he said.
“It is about being patient and hard work, but I guess at the end of the day if we want to call ourselves NRL players, we need to be playing an NRL standard of football.
“The good thing is, there is a lot of youth there and with youth, comes exuberance and excitement
“I’m sure as soon we get on the front foot, we’ll see a fairly interesting style of football."
The men in red and blue look forward to receiving a boost from performing in front of their home crowd.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there in front of the Knights home fans,” he said.
“People who travel are fantastic. To have a packed house this weekend will be unbelievable. I hope to see everyone out there.”
#Mullo200
To celebrate Jarrod Mullen’s 200th NRL game, the Knights will hand out free special edition #Mullo200 try cards to the first 5000 people through the gate. Keep your eyes on the sky during the game for collectable #Mullo200 T shirts that will be fired into the crowd.
ROUND 3
Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
Date: Saturday March 19
Gates open: 12.30pm
NYC: 12.40pm
Reserve Grade: 2.40pm
NRL: 5pm
TICKETS
Online: ticketmaster.com.au
Phone: 136 100
In Person: Any ticketmaster box office
