Evergreen Macdougall Keen To Share Experience

Newcastle Herald

Saturday March 15, 2008

Brett Keeble THE FOOTY PAGE

KNIGHTS coach Brian Smith reckons veteran centre Adam MacDougall is in the best "footy shape" of his long career.

After undergoing shoulder surgery late last season, MacDougall missed NRL trials against the Warriors and Sharks, and his only pre-season run was in a practice match against Newcastle Rugby League club South Newcastle at Raymond Terrace three weeks ago.

But Smith said the 32-year-old former NSW and Australian representative had done everything asked of him at pre-season training and proven his worth as a leader of his younger teammates.

"I've been very impressed with Doogs and what he's done. He's probably done more work in this pre-season than he's ever done," Smith said.

"He's really made a point of getting all the football-oriented stuff done, and he's worked hard with the team.

"Some of our boys are going to him to talk to him and listen to him, so he's really taken on a mentoring role.

"He's made some changes to the way he prepares, and he's sharing the benefit of his experience."

? Classic Knights contests and some of the club's colourful and charismatic Old Boys have been featured on The Footy Page in the past couple of years.

For a change of direction in rugby league's centenary year, The Footy Page will profile members of Newcastle's National Youth Competition under-20 squad.

First cab off the rank is captain Callan Richardson, a strapping red-headed centre who won the prestigious Andrew Johns Medal in 2005 as the Carlson Club scholarship recipient.

Mirroring the NRL draw, the NYC will be played as the main curtain-raiser before every NRL game this year.

The Central Newcastle Knights make their NSW Cup debut against Balmain Ryde Tigers at 3.40pm at EnergyAustralia Stadium today.

Newcastle take on North Sydney at Peacock Field, Toronto, in NSWRL junior representative games today at noon (Harold Matthews) and 1.30pm (SG Ball).

? Former Knights coaching and development manager Keith Onslow is finishing up his duties at the Bulldogs and should be back in Newcastle by the end of the month as Knights recruitment and retention manager.

? Herald tipping competition panellist Craig Hamilton, the 2006 joint champion, was on the Roosters, not the Rabbitohs, last night.

A pre-season technical glitch had the ABC Radio commentator down for the Rabbitohs in the League 2008 liftout.

COMING UP

KNIGHTS' NEXT

FOUR GAMES

Rd 2 (Easter): 7.30pm; Saturday,

March 22 v Sea Eagles (EAS)

Rd 3: 7.30pm; Friday, March 28

v Eels (Parramatta)

Rd 4: 2pm; Sunday, April 6

v Warriors (Mt Smart)

Rd 5: 3pm; Sunday, April 13

v Broncos (EAS)

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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