Danny Levi knew what he was in for yesterday against his former club and the Knights didn't disappoint.
The Manly hooker, whose defence was always questioned during his time in the number nine jumper at the Knights,was a constant target for Newcastle's big men yesterday.
"I knew it was coming, yeah," Levi said after the game. "All I heard the whole game was 'get at Danny, get at Danny'. I knew they were going to spot me. The big Safs [Daniel and Jacob Saifiti], they seemed to come at me all game but I reckon I got a decent shot on Daniel so I was happy about that."
What he wasn't happy about was the result in a game he had looked forward to from the start of the season.
"I'm shattered. It's the game I really wanted to win this year and it went right down to the wire," he said.
"I thought the effort from all the guys was unreal. We've got some big names out and it could have gone either way at the end there."
Ironically, Levi could easily have been on the right side of the ledger had he opted to remain in Newcastle for the final season of his contract this year with the club's number one hooker Jayden Brailey ruled out for the season. But he has absolutely no regrets.
'I'm loving it - a fresh start, the boys are awesome, a great coach so I'm really happy,"he said.
"To be honest, I think leaving was the best thing for me to get a fresh start. I get to prove myself again in a different environment. It's good, it's still a work in progress here but I'm happy and settled and enjoying my footy."
Levi thought he had played a major role in a try that could have won his side the match in the second half only for it to be denied by the video referee.
He contested a bomb with Kalyn Ponga and it came down for Daly Cherry-Evans to plant it over the line.
But replays showed Levi touched the ball into Ponga and it was ruled a knock-on.
"I knew I touched the ball but I thought it went backwards so I was pretty confident it was going to be a try initially," he said.
"But it wasn't to be. It was one of those calls where you just have to get on with it."
