KNIGHTS coach Rick Stone says Saturday night's season opener against Canterbury is about showing the rugby league world that the club is not a "basket case."
It has been the Knights' most difficult build-up to a season in their 22-year history, after Danny Wicks and Chris Houston were charged with drug offences and the club were subsequently listed as $3.50 favourites for the NRL wooden spoon.
But Stone said Saturday night's clash with the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium gave his players a chance to get back to the business of playing rugby league, and the rookie coach said first impressions would matter.
"I think one of the biggest things we're looking for is to have that unity and have that particular resolve we were talking about, and make sure we can show ourselves and our fans, and possibly the rest of the rugby league public, that the Knights aren't a basket case," Stone said.
"We've handled things pretty well and we're looking forward to playing some footy now, and it's time to stand up and be counted."
The recent scandals have intensified media scrutiny on the club, but Stone denied it had placed extra pressure on his players.
"There's pressure on all 15 other teams going in to the first game as well," he said.
Newcastle named an 18-man squad for the Bulldogs clash yesterday. The biggest surprise was the selection of Warriors recruit Evarn Tuimavave at starting prop to make his debut in the blue-and-red, ahead of Dan Tolar and Richie Fa'aoso, who were named on the bench.
Ben Cross is the other starting prop despite having played only the opening minutes of the Knights' 41-16 trial loss to Penrith at Port Macquarie before he was concussed.
That match was his first since he ruptured his biceps 10 months ago.
Stone said Cross was professional enough to overcome the lack of trial time when he tackled Canterbury boppers Ben Hannant and Michael Hodgson.
"I would have liked to have seen Crossy play some footy, but circumstances didn't allow that," Stone said.
"I'd like to think his experience is going to help him there. He's been around a while, and he knows that he needs to do and how to prepare himself.
"He's probably had a month of decent sessions now, and even though he hasn't played a game he's looking really hard and I'm confident he'll play well."
Stand-in skipper Steve Simpson and Cory Paterson are the second-rowers. Matt Hilder will deputise at hooker for Isaac De Gois, who has not recovered from off-season knee surgery.
Mark Taufua, better known as a prop or second-rower, slots in at lock to complete a sizeable pack.
Simpson said the loss of Wicks and Houston presented fringe players with the chance to make their mark against a quality Bulldogs pack.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the young players to put their hand up and get in at the start," Simpson said.
Scott Dureau and Jarrod Mullen have been given first crack at forming the halves combination. Ben Rogers misses out and will play for the Central Coast Centurions in the NSW Cup.
Stone said he planned to give Dureau and Mullen a concerted run at halfback and five-eighth.
"I think when coaches give a combination an opportunity at the start of the season you'd like to think he believes in that particular combination," he said.
"I'm not going to put a time frame on it, but I really think they can do a good job for us and complement each other very well.
"I'd like to think Dureau is a natural No.7. Jarrod has played a bit of six and seven and it's a chance for him to really take control of the team."
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