They were the enforcers he was once happy to have on his side but Titans hooker Chad Redman is expecting the heavy Newcastle artillery to be directed his way when he takes on his former club on Saturday.
Having made his NRL debut for the Knights in Round 10 against the Wests Tigers, Redman made a mid-season switch to the Titans and has figured in all three games since his arrival in mid June.
A product of Wests Newcastle and a Knights junior all through the grades, returning to Hunter Stadium in the colours of the Titans will be an unusual experience for the 22-year-old and he is not expecting any favours from former teammates.
Tariq Sims has started the tactics of intimidation with some text messages during the week but it's the onslaught from the likes of Beau Scott, Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith that Redman says he is trying to prepare for.
"I'll know what to expect when I get there," said Redman ahead of his fourth game for his new club. "They've got a couple of forwards down there, Kade Snowden and Jeremy Smith in particular, that will come after me I think so I've just got to try and stay out of their way.
"They're the enforcers... Well, they like to think they are anyway. They'll be trying to hunt me down so can't wait to get out there with them.
"As soon as I made the move up here I jotted this down in my calendar so just can't wait to get down there and rip in on Saturday."
As it did 12 months ago, the clash between the Knights and Titans in Newcastle coincides with Rise for Alex Round which this year has been merged with the Men of League Heritage Round to raise funds to help those injured whilst playing rugby league.
Redman was in the stands as Knights captain Kurt Gidley wheeled Alex McKinnon out to the field in what were incredibly emotional scenes and hopes he will get to catch up with his good friend after the game on Saturday.
"I'm pretty good mates with Alex and that was a pretty emotional day watching that," said Redman. "It was a pretty big game, that Rise For Alex Round, and I think the Titans got up that day so hopefully we can repeat that on Saturday.
"I send him text messages every now and again to see how he's going and he sees how I'm going. I didn't get the chance to catch up with him when I moved up here and he was still here doing his rehab so hopefully I get to catch up with him on Saturday."
He admits it will be weird to run onto Hunter Stadium wearing anything other than a Knights jersey and although Titans fans will be well and truly outnumbered, Redman has done his bit to round up a bit of support for the visitors.
"My Dad is actually still a Knights member but there are a couple [of extended family members] that follow the Sharks so they'll all be behind the Titans on Saturday," he said.
"[Dad] will be a Titan, he'll come with me. I've got him a Titans hat to take down to him so he'll wear that.
"I was only thinking about that yesterday, how weird it will be. I'll have to check my jumper twice to actually know I'm a Titan now and not a Knight.
"They'll be desperate down there at home and they'll want to perform well in front of that crowd that gets pretty vocal. Hopefully we can keep them on that losing streak."
