19-07-2025
'In for a long day': Knights planning a hostile homecoming for former coach
Knights enforcer Tayla Predebon has borrowed a line from former coach Ronald Griffiths as Newcastle eye the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
"When people turn off the M1 and come down that link road, they know they're in for a long afternoon," Griffiths drummed into the Knights as he coached them to 16 wins in 18 outings and back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023.
"They get to MJs [McDonald Jones Stadium] on a Sunday afternoon and it's going to be tough."
The Novocastrian sidestepped into the Knights' NSW Cup men's coaching role last year before taking on a three-year deal to lead the Warriors in their NRLW return.
He is back on familiar turf on Sunday, in the second match of a Knights-Warriors double-header, and Predebon hopes to make it an uncomfortable evening for her former mentor.
"I'm sure Ronny will be up for it, so will we," Predebon, who is set for her 30th appearance in Knights colours, said.
"We loved Ron as a coach, and wish him all the best, and we hope that they're in for a long day, down the M1, as he used to say to us."
In their first home game of the season, the Knights' NRLW side will wear the hi-vis mining jersey for the first time.
First donned by the club's NRL team in 2014, the mining jersey is a replica of the workwear worn every day by thousands of mining professionals across the state.
"It's huge," Predebon said.
"Coming from Gloucester, we had quite a strong mining community, and friends and family are always a part of that.
"It just gave us so many opportunities back home, so it's really exciting that I get to run out in the hi-vis on Sunday, and I just can't wait to represent the community that we do play for here in Newcastle."
The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
Knights coach Ben Jeffries has made just one change to his side, naming Tess Staines on the wing in place of Lilly-Ann White after producing four-try hauls in two outstanding performances in NSW Women's Premiership.
"Lilly White was arguably one of our best in pre-season, but scoring eight tries in two games is really hard to ignore," Jeffries said.
"So Tess comes in on the left wing next to Tenika Willison ... if we can put her away, she's just pure speed. She's a bit of a Mighty Mouse. She's not tall in stature, but she's quick."
The Warriors, who feature former Knights forward Laishon Albert-Jones and centre Emmanita Paki, succumbed 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
"Their outside backs are pretty quick, and they've got a decent forward pack, so they'll want to use that as a building block, and they'll be coming here for two points, so we have to be really good defensively," Jeffries said.
The game kicks off at 6.15pm after the men's clash at 4.05pm.
Knights enforcer Tayla Predebon has borrowed a line from former coach Ronald Griffiths as Newcastle eye the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
"When people turn off the M1 and come down that link road, they know they're in for a long afternoon," Griffiths drummed into the Knights as he coached them to 16 wins in 18 outings and back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023.
"They get to MJs [McDonald Jones Stadium] on a Sunday afternoon and it's going to be tough."
The Novocastrian sidestepped into the Knights' NSW Cup men's coaching role last year before taking on a three-year deal to lead the Warriors in their NRLW return.
He is back on familiar turf on Sunday, in the second match of a Knights-Warriors double-header, and Predebon hopes to make it an uncomfortable evening for her former mentor.
"I'm sure Ronny will be up for it, so will we," Predebon, who is set for her 30th appearance in Knights colours, said.
"We loved Ron as a coach, and wish him all the best, and we hope that they're in for a long day, down the M1, as he used to say to us."
In their first home game of the season, the Knights' NRLW side will wear the hi-vis mining jersey for the first time.
First donned by the club's NRL team in 2014, the mining jersey is a replica of the workwear worn every day by thousands of mining professionals across the state.
"It's huge," Predebon said.
"Coming from Gloucester, we had quite a strong mining community, and friends and family are always a part of that.
"It just gave us so many opportunities back home, so it's really exciting that I get to run out in the hi-vis on Sunday, and I just can't wait to represent the community that we do play for here in Newcastle."
The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
Knights coach Ben Jeffries has made just one change to his side, naming Tess Staines on the wing in place of Lilly-Ann White after producing four-try hauls in two outstanding performances in NSW Women's Premiership.
"Lilly White was arguably one of our best in pre-season, but scoring eight tries in two games is really hard to ignore," Jeffries said.
"So Tess comes in on the left wing next to Tenika Willison ... if we can put her away, she's just pure speed. She's a bit of a Mighty Mouse. She's not tall in stature, but she's quick."
The Warriors, who feature former Knights forward Laishon Albert-Jones and centre Emmanita Paki, succumbed 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
"Their outside backs are pretty quick, and they've got a decent forward pack, so they'll want to use that as a building block, and they'll be coming here for two points, so we have to be really good defensively," Jeffries said.
The game kicks off at 6.15pm after the men's clash at 4.05pm.
Knights enforcer Tayla Predebon has borrowed a line from former coach Ronald Griffiths as Newcastle eye the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
"When people turn off the M1 and come down that link road, they know they're in for a long afternoon," Griffiths drummed into the Knights as he coached them to 16 wins in 18 outings and back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023.
"They get to MJs [McDonald Jones Stadium] on a Sunday afternoon and it's going to be tough."
The Novocastrian sidestepped into the Knights' NSW Cup men's coaching role last year before taking on a three-year deal to lead the Warriors in their NRLW return.
He is back on familiar turf on Sunday, in the second match of a Knights-Warriors double-header, and Predebon hopes to make it an uncomfortable evening for her former mentor.
"I'm sure Ronny will be up for it, so will we," Predebon, who is set for her 30th appearance in Knights colours, said.
"We loved Ron as a coach, and wish him all the best, and we hope that they're in for a long day, down the M1, as he used to say to us."
In their first home game of the season, the Knights' NRLW side will wear the hi-vis mining jersey for the first time.
First donned by the club's NRL team in 2014, the mining jersey is a replica of the workwear worn every day by thousands of mining professionals across the state.
"It's huge," Predebon said.
"Coming from Gloucester, we had quite a strong mining community, and friends and family are always a part of that.
"It just gave us so many opportunities back home, so it's really exciting that I get to run out in the hi-vis on Sunday, and I just can't wait to represent the community that we do play for here in Newcastle."
The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
Knights coach Ben Jeffries has made just one change to his side, naming Tess Staines on the wing in place of Lilly-Ann White after producing four-try hauls in two outstanding performances in NSW Women's Premiership.
"Lilly White was arguably one of our best in pre-season, but scoring eight tries in two games is really hard to ignore," Jeffries said.
"So Tess comes in on the left wing next to Tenika Willison ... if we can put her away, she's just pure speed. She's a bit of a Mighty Mouse. She's not tall in stature, but she's quick."
The Warriors, who feature former Knights forward Laishon Albert-Jones and centre Emmanita Paki, succumbed 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
"Their outside backs are pretty quick, and they've got a decent forward pack, so they'll want to use that as a building block, and they'll be coming here for two points, so we have to be really good defensively," Jeffries said.
The game kicks off at 6.15pm after the men's clash at 4.05pm.
Knights enforcer Tayla Predebon has borrowed a line from former coach Ronald Griffiths as Newcastle eye the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
"When people turn off the M1 and come down that link road, they know they're in for a long afternoon," Griffiths drummed into the Knights as he coached them to 16 wins in 18 outings and back-to-back NRLW premierships in 2022 and 2023.
"They get to MJs [McDonald Jones Stadium] on a Sunday afternoon and it's going to be tough."
The Novocastrian sidestepped into the Knights' NSW Cup men's coaching role last year before taking on a three-year deal to lead the Warriors in their NRLW return.
He is back on familiar turf on Sunday, in the second match of a Knights-Warriors double-header, and Predebon hopes to make it an uncomfortable evening for her former mentor.
"I'm sure Ronny will be up for it, so will we," Predebon, who is set for her 30th appearance in Knights colours, said.
"We loved Ron as a coach, and wish him all the best, and we hope that they're in for a long day, down the M1, as he used to say to us."
In their first home game of the season, the Knights' NRLW side will wear the hi-vis mining jersey for the first time.
First donned by the club's NRL team in 2014, the mining jersey is a replica of the workwear worn every day by thousands of mining professionals across the state.
"It's huge," Predebon said.
"Coming from Gloucester, we had quite a strong mining community, and friends and family are always a part of that.
"It just gave us so many opportunities back home, so it's really exciting that I get to run out in the hi-vis on Sunday, and I just can't wait to represent the community that we do play for here in Newcastle."
The Knights were beaten 26-12 by newcomers Canterbury in round one but produced a strong performance to down North Queensland 26-6 in Townsville in round two.
Knights coach Ben Jeffries has made just one change to his side, naming Tess Staines on the wing in place of Lilly-Ann White after producing four-try hauls in two outstanding performances in NSW Women's Premiership.
"Lilly White was arguably one of our best in pre-season, but scoring eight tries in two games is really hard to ignore," Jeffries said.
"So Tess comes in on the left wing next to Tenika Willison ... if we can put her away, she's just pure speed. She's a bit of a Mighty Mouse. She's not tall in stature, but she's quick."
The Warriors, who feature former Knights forward Laishon Albert-Jones and centre Emmanita Paki, succumbed 30-6 to St George Illawarra on the road in their season-opener before beating Parramatta 14-0 at home last weekend.
"Their outside backs are pretty quick, and they've got a decent forward pack, so they'll want to use that as a building block, and they'll be coming here for two points, so we have to be really good defensively," Jeffries said.
The game kicks off at 6.15pm after the men's clash at 4.05pm.
