Mitchell Pearce says the time is now for the Knights to finally realise the potential in the footy side ahead of Saturday night's must-win clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Newcastle will field arguably its strongest spine in several years with the return of fullback Kalyn Ponga from a long-term injury complimenting the new halves pairing of Pearce and Jake Clifford along with hooker Jayden Brailey.
"I just think there is so much potential for this footy team to realise yet," Pearce said.
"We've had so many lessons over the past few years - players in, players out, poor performances, some good performances with personnel out - we've just been a bit all over the shop and it's been hard to get a read on us.
"The mindset now though is bunkering down and giving everything we've got for the next 10 weeks and I know with everyone in the joint, we are tight-knit and all-in and doing everything we can to make sure we win."
Pearce is confident the signing of Clifford, followed by the return from injury of himself and Ponga to lead the side's attack alongside Brailey will make a real difference.
"Unfortunately for us, over the pre-season, I broke my thumb, Kalyn hardly trained and Cliffo came late so we've hardly done anything together or put too many passes together with each other," he said. "Add to that Brails hardly played with us last year and it makes a big difference.
"When I was at the Roosters, myself and Jimmy [James Maloney] in the halves and Friendy [hooker Jake Friend] - we hardly missed a game there for a long period.
"It's not an excuse but naturally, you progress when you are out there together on the run learning about each other's game and how you want to play. We just haven't had that here but now we get that chance."
There is no doubt Pearce's return in the win over the Warriors last start and now Ponga also being back has given the squad a huge lift.
The veteran half expects Ponga to simply pick up from where he left off.
"The last time he came back after missing a fair bit of footy, he hit the ground running like he'd never been away so knowing him, it will be the same again," he said.
"But all we really want from Kalyn is to be safe at the back and put himself in good positions and if opportunities present themselves which they will at various times during the game, he'll capitalise on that with his ability.
"For him, it's just a matter of him getting back out there and playing tough and hopefully we can just get our footy on that we've been practising."
