That will be the case next year when players not required for National Rugby League duty will play for the Central Coast Crusaders in the NSW Cup, instead of being dispersed among various Newcastle Rugby League teams.

"With selections, it's a little bit easier lining up apples against apples," said Stone, who was in charge of Newcastle's previous NSW Cup team, the Central Newcastle Knights, in 2008.

"When they're playing in the same team against the same sort of opposition, and you've got to pick one or two blokes from three or four players, you get a better feel for who's been consistently the best of that bunch. The form line is a little bit easier to line up."

Stone believed the players would prefer staying together in one team under the guidance of the same coach "who will be part of our staff and schooled up on our principles".

"They will be based out of the Central Coast and our full-time players going back will get back for at least the last session each weekend," he said.

Stone said he would ensure the Knights continue their strong alliance with the Newcastle Rugby League and the player placement program introduced this year.

"I'm going to work my butt out to make sure whatever we can keep in place of that, we do that," he said.

"We've got a Newcastle Rugby League conference with our coaches and administration in our junior rep camp on December 5, so we're making sure we're still educating the Newcastle Rugby League coaches, strength and conditioners, sports trainers and administrators.

"Even though we've changed tack, our commitment to the Newcastle Rugby League is as strong as ever. It's a commercial and geographic decision for us to put a team out of the Central Coast."