KNIGHTS coach Rick Stone has resisted any temptation to give suspended forwards Steve Simpson and Matt Hilder a run in a second-tier trial against the Newcastle Rugby League representative squad at Tomaree Oval on Saturday.
Simpson and Hilder were each banned for two games for lifting tackles in Newcastle's 26-12 loss to the Bulldogs in a qualifying final at ANZ Stadium last September.
Hilder was charged with a grade-two dangerous throw on Josh Morris and Simpson's similar tackle on David Stagg incurred a grade-one charge. Both players pleaded guilty and were suspended for two games, which can be served in NRL-sanctioned trials.
That rules them out of trials against Melbourne at St John Oval on February 20 and Penrith at Port Macquarie on February 27, but they will be back for Newcastle's NRL season-opener against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on March 13.
Because the game against the Newcastle rep squad on Saturday is not an official trial, Hilder and Simpson could play if Stone wanted them to.
Former coach Brian Smith did this in the 2008 pre-season when Ben Cross played in an unsanctioned lower-grade trial against two Newcastle clubs at Raymond Terrace.
Hilder and Simpson will instead be training and on promotional duty later this week with the club's top 25 players at Tamworth as part of the NRL's annual community carnival.
Stone said he was considering using Hilder, but probably not Simpson, in the Central Coast Centurions' NSW Cup trial against Windsor on February 28. Coached by Rip Taylor, the Centurions are Newcastle's reserve-grade feeder squad this year.
"There's an opportunity for them to maybe get a game in our reserve grade on the Sunday after we play in Port Macquarie, if we're looking to give them a game," Stone said.
"I don't think Simmo will, but I think Matty Hilder's a chance of doing that because their suspensions will be served after that Penrith game at Port.
"I think Matty might need a run but Simmo's probably at that stage where he can do enough with us here at training and know what he can get through."
Simpson, whose pre-season conditioning program has been adapted to reduce wear and tear on a long-term knee injury, said he would not be concerned if he did not play a trial before the game against the Bulldogs.
"I usually like to have a run, maybe half a game, in our second trial, but if it's not to be, and I get through all our contact stuff at training, I should be OK with that," Simpson said.
Hilder said he would decide closer to the game, and in consultation with Stone, whether he would play a trial with the Centurions.
"Stoney sort of left it up to me, depending on how much I do at training," Hilder said.
"If I'm feeling all right, I won't bother, but if I feel like I need a game, then I'll play."
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