Nathan Brown has issued rookie fullback Nick Meaney a challenge.
After a solid NRL debut in last week's win over Parramatta, Brown believes Meaney can go to another gear.
The 20-year-old turned heads in the lower grades for his blistering running game but that wasn't on show against the Eels.
That's expected to change on Saturday when the nib Newcastle Knights host Gold Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium.
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"We'd be expecting, to be honest, Nick to be a little bit better this week," Brown said.
"We thought he had a nice solid game to start with, but I'd like him to back himself a little bit more and put a little more confidence in himself, especially in attack.
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"... Nick's our best runner at the club. When it comes to running long distances, he's clearly our best but he's found the level of footy in first grade is much more demanding than in reserve grade.
"I feel getting through the game last week would've given him a lot more confidence. His positional play was great, he caught the ball well but offensively just having a little more confidence."
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Meaney, who represented the NSW Under-20 side last season, has long been touted as a player knocking on the door for an NRL start.
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After getting a taste last week, the increased intensity was something Meaney felt instantly.
"The intensity of the game," Meaney said.
"The speed of it is a lot quicker.
"The back and forth arm wrestle, especially in the second half, I found was a difficult stage of the game but we were good enough to get through and get the win."
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