The Knights host the Cronulla Sharks in Maitland this weekend with coach Brown maintaining a spine of Connor Watson, Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce and Danny Levi.

After starting the St George Illawarra trial from the bench, Brown has promoted Tim Glasby to lock.

With Hymel Hunt included on the extended bench, Sione Mata’utia finds himself in the centres yet again.

Newcastle has a settled spine but there are still questions that need answering around the make-up of the backrow and bench.

After trialing 27 players against the Dragons, Brown said the Sharks game would be a far more serious affair and will provide a much better indication of where his new-look squad is at heading into the opening round of the NRL on March 15.

"We'll have a much smaller squad next week - 18 or 19 players - and play a basic 17 for the first 60 or 70 minutes," Brown said in the lead up to the game.

"Cronulla, I'm sure will field a strong side and do the same thing so next week, we'll get a far clearer indication of where we are at."

Lachlan Fitzgibbon, who continued his prolific try-scoring feats with another four pointer against the Dragons combining with Ponga, is an automatic selection on the left edge but the right edge and a bench spot remain contentious.

Much will depend on the fitness of Hunt and whether Mata'utia remains at left centre where he played against the Dragons or returns to the backrow.

Mitch Barnett did not hurt his chances of filling the role with a strong performance against the Dragons.

The spine of  Levi, Pearce, Ponga and Watson is certain to feature for round one. Brown was impressed with Watson at fullback.

The arrival of State of Origin greats Tim Glasby and David Klemmer and the raw talent of James Gavet is set to make it even harder to see time in the middle.

Brown told the ABC, it’s a contentious spot for coaching staff.

“There’s going to be a couple of guys miss out,” he explained.

“That’s a good spot to be in from the clubs and coaches point of view, but disappointing for one or two players.

“Performances will certainly play a part in what lines up against Cronulla in round 1.

“In the forwards (Dragons trial) some blokes certainly put their hand up above others.”

NRL TEAM

1. Connor Watson, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Sione Mata’utia, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Kalyn Ponga, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Danny Levi, 10. James Gavet, 11. Mitchell Barnett, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Tim Glasby. Interchange: 16. Herman Ese’ese, 15. Aidan Guerra, 17. Daniel Saifiti, 14. Kurt Mann, 18. Hymel Hunt.

Details

Saturday, March 2, at Maitland No.1 Sportsground

Gates Open: 8.45am

9:00am: Under 16’s Newcastle Knights Development Squad v Central Coast Roosters

10:30am: Under 18’s Newcastle Knights Development Squad v Central Coast Roosters

12:00pm: Tarsha Gale Cup v St George Illawarra Dragons

1:30pm: Jersey Flegg v Cronulla Sharks

3:15pm: ISP v Newtown Jets

NRL Kick Off: 5.30pm