Jayden Brailey feels like he's got a "second chance".
The Knights hooker, named as part of the leadership group for 2021, says "footy can't come quick enough" after having his first season with the club cut short after just two games.
With a knee reconstruction behind him and watching more NRL than ever in 2020, Brailey wants to "inject" himself while wearing Newcastle's No.9 jersey throughout this campaign.
"Last year was really disappointing because coming to a new club I wanted to show what I could do and make a difference to the team," Brailey said after Wednesday's recovery session at Dixon Park beach.
"I guess I get a second chance to do that this year.
"I watched more football than ever before in the last 12 months and I feel like I know where I can inject myself and make the team a lot better for the 2021 season.
"I can't wait, I'm super pumped and footy can't come quick enough."
Brailey said "having banked a really good pre-season" he now has a "lot of confidence" ahead of round one against the Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 12.
The 24-year-old also has a few goals in mind for when he finally returns to the field for the Knights.
"It's a pretty big honour for me this year to be selected in that leadership role so first and foremost I want to lead from the front," he said.
"In terms of on the field I just want to do as best I can for the team - really quality service and I want to bring in a kicking game as well. I think that's really important as well and something I've practised this pre-season."
The former Sharks dummy-half, who already has 71 NRL games to his name since debuting in 2017, reckons being an 80-minute player won't be an issue at Newcastle despite his recent stint on the sidelines.
"I'm not one that likes coming off the field and I feel like I'm fit enough to play 80 minutes," he said.
"I've done it plenty of times before at Cronulla, also last year both my games I played 80 minutes. So I'm more than comfortable to play 80 minutes, but that's something for [Knights coach] Adam [O'Brien] and I'm just happy to do whatever's best for the team."
Brailey said he's already been working closely with new Knights recruit, NSW representative and World Cup winner Tyson Frizell.
"Just little things close to the try line and in yardage as well that we can build on together," he said.
"He's such a strike player Tyson and being dummy half I really want to get him involved and help each others games."
Brailey knows the Knights won't have their first-choice spine available when the season kicks off next month with fullback Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) and five-eighth Blake Green (knee) still recovering from surgery.
However, upcoming trials against Newcastle premiers the Goannas at Cessnock on February 20 and reigning champions the Storm in Melbourne the following weekend provide ideal chances to test "combinations".
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