Fittingly the trio, who have all won Australian Schoolboys honours, will be among the first Coalfields players to run out to play on the Coalfields’ new showcase of football the multi-million dollar refurbished Maitland Sportsground.

I’m excited to go back and play in front of Maitland,” Lamb said in an interview with the Knights website ahead of Saturday’s historic first game at the new venue

“I don’t think Maitland has had anything like this before, so everyone is excited and it’s good for the town and the community to get the Knights there and have a game as well.”

Lamb will start at half-back in reserve grade with fellow Maitland junior Saulo in the front-row and Cessnock’s Jones in the back-row.

Saulo and Jones expect plenty of family and friends to be on the sidelines and are delighted with the sign of confidence shown in them with starting roles in reserve grade after their first pre-season at senior level.

Lamb’s sights are set on a first grade spot, but after a stand-out end to the 2017 season in first grade, he has to bide his time and hone his already prodigious skills.

“For me it has been a bit of everything (in improvement),” Lamb said.

“Obviously you work on your football, your kicking and your passing because as a halfback that’s what you do, but also in the gym, my fitness, a bit of everything this year.”

Knights coach Nathan Brown named prize recruits Connor Watson at No.6 and NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce at No.7.

A probable first grade starter in most NRL teams, Lamb knows competition is hot this season for spots in the halves.

“Even if I don’t get the first grade game, I’ll definitely play in the reggies (Reserve Grade) game which will be good,” Lamb said.

“I felt like I’ve had a strong pre-season, I’ve got through all the sessions, so I’m very excited for the year.

“I want to play first grade so that is my goal... I want to start strong, build on the back of last year and just go again really.

“There’s still a way until the season so there can be plenty more room for improvement.”

Knights first grade: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Shaun Kenny-Dowall  3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Tautau Moga 5. Nathan Ross 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Slade Griffin 10. Jacob Lillyman 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Herman Ese’ese Interchange: 14. Danny Levi 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jamie Buhrer 17. Jacob Saifiti

Parramatta first grade: 1. Bevan French; 2. Kirisome Auva’a; 3. Michael Jennings; 4. Jarryd Hayne; 5. Josh Hoffman; 6. Corey Norman; 7. Mitch Moses; 8. Daniel Alvaro; 9. Cameron King; 10. Tim Mannah; 11. Manu Ma’u; 12. Brad Takairangi; 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Beau Scott; 15. Kenny Edwards; 16. Kane Evans; 17. Suaia Matagi; 18. Tepai Moeroa; 19. Peni Terepo; 20. Will Smith; 21. Kaysa Pritchard; 22. David Gower