Former Knights fringe players Sione Finefeuiaki and Danny Vaughan will head a team of front-rowers that includes Courtney Rolff, Simon Osborne, Hayden Jeans and Damien Frize.

Hooker Luke Quigley and back-rower Reegan Tanner had long and distinguished careers with the Knights, and they will take on several of their former teammates.

Co-coach Charles Haggett laughed when it was suggested the 31-man Newcastle squad appeared to be selected by the kilogram.

"It certainly looked like it when we went to training last Wednesday," Haggett said.

"I said to Crooksy [selector John Crooks], 'Wouldn't you love to be able to coach this team in the Newcastle comp,' because it has certainly got some size about it.

"They are all mobile and they have plenty of experience, so it looks good."

Finefeuiaki will return to Western Suburbs this season after playing for Cessnock in last year's 36-4 grand final loss to Wyong.

He will be one of the biggest players on the field.

Vaughan, who like Finefeuiaki played Premier League for the Knights, returned to the Newcastle competition last year with Macquarie Scorpions after two injury-riddled seasons at Melbourne.

Rolff was overlooked for representative selection last year but will join forces with Central Charlestown teammate and NSW Country prop Jeans in the squad.

NSW Country prop Osborne, who called Tomaree home until signing with West for this season, adds size and experience to the pack and Frize is a former Knights junior playing with Maitland.

The match has been organised for 30-minute quarters with a 6.30pm kick-off, but those arrangements will depend on the heat.

"We'll put together two teams with a few reserves and try to play two games but that will all depend on how hot it is," Haggett said.

Haggett said that the extended squad would give him and co-coach Peter Walsh an opportunity to look at some players who were new to the competition before the 18-man regional championship squad is chosen.