Immortal advice: How Johns helped Knights unlock attacking mindset
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The words of NRL Immortal Andrew Johns will be ringing in the ears of Newcastle halfback Sandon Smith when he runs on to Eden Park for Sunday's sudden-death clash with the Warriors.
A two-time premiership winner and arguably the greatest No.7 to play the game, Johns' shadow has hung over the Knights since a neck injury forced him into retirement in 2007.
Success in Newcastle has been limited since their 2001 grand final victory and a host of halfbacks have struggled to handle the pressure that comes with following in an Immortal's footsteps.
Clive Churchill Medal winner: Andrew Johns - 2001
Johns hasn't shied away in his criticism of the club over the years but has embraced the current squad and has been a regular onlooker at training throughout the season.
The Immortal was on hand for the Knights captain's run prior to last week's elimination final victory over the Rabbitohs and Smith credited Johns for helping him handle the pressure on the big stage.
"It's awesome when he comes in," Smith told NRL.com. "He has a presence about him and an aura when he comes in and watches training. You know things are starting to heat up when he's coming in.
"This is when the big players step up and that's what Joey did throughout his career. This is our moment to prove to him and prove to everyone that we're a team like the Knights used to be."
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Sunday's clash with the Warriors at Eden Park continues a remarkable turnaround from last year's wooden spoon to the second week of the finals.
New coach Justin Holbrook has completely overhauled the side's playing style and focused on rebuilding the club's connection with a passionate supporter base.
With a host of attacking weapons across the park, Holbrook has introduced a playing style that unlocks Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Bradman Best and all the team's big names.
Holbrook: "This time of year is exciting"
The Knights lead the NRL with 31 tries from inside their own half and enjoyed plenty of success shifting the ball in their Round 26 clash with the Warriors.
"It's an exciting playing style," Smith said. "A lot of fans are enjoying the style we're playing at the moment and we're definitely enjoying playing this way too.
"With the playmakers we have in this team it would be stupid not to get them the ball as much as possible. We're enjoying it at the moment and we're finding a good balance between moving the ball and our discipline."
The Knights effectively play with three playmakers, with Smith, Sharpe and Ponga all responsible for creating attacking opportunities.
The outside backs are the biggest beneficiaries, wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew combining for 45 tries this season.
Marzhew and back-up winger Fletcher Hunt each scored doubles in the recent loss to the Warriors, in which Newcastle played 68 minutes with just 12 men.
Warriors v Knights – Round 26, 2026
The performance has many fans expecting plenty of points on Sunday afternoon, with the Knights looking to replicate the Dolphins attacking mindset after Kristian Woolf's men upset the Warriors last weekend.
"It's unreal playing outside those guys," centre Bradman Best said. "Everyone knows what KP's about, then you've got Sharpie with that X-factor and Sandon's been a great addition.
"Having the playmakers helps the whole team, not just me. It helps everyone having those three on the field and that's why they get paid the big bucks."
After 27 epic rounds, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 4.05pm Sunday live on Nine, Kayo and Sky Sports.
