Rugby League Coaching Manuals

"I'm looking for some unity and resolve," Stone said. "We want to show everyone out there that the Knights aren't a basket case."

Makeshift captain Steve Simpson said: "We want to go out and play really well.

"Win or lose we want to show we are committed to one another."

The Knights' off-season started to slide into free-fall when NSW Police charged Wicks on December 16 with six counts of supplying prohibited drugs and two counts of drug possession. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on March 31.

Things got worse when Wicks's housemate and a player tagged for higher honours, Houston, on March 1 was charged with three counts of supplying ecstasy and one of cocaine. He has also vowed to clear his name and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on April 13.

With rumours circulating that more players could be charged, the club has gone into damage control and chief executive Steve Burraston and chairman Robert Tew have spent time placating nervous sponsors.

That isn't the only drama affecting the club, with an arbitration hearing looming against the state government over the rent of EnergyAustralia Stadium which could cost it $1.5 million and another legal battle against A-League club Newcastle Jets to recoup $300,000 of what it claims is owed services.

Inspirational captain Gidley could also be sidelined for an extended period with a hamstring injury he picked up in the NRL All Stars game and bookmakers have installed the Knights as favourites for the wooden spoon.

However, while Stone admitted the club had endured a tough run in the pre-season he said the bulk of his players had handled it well and he was still optimistic about the season.

With Wicks and Houston no longer available, former Warriors forward Evarn Tuimavave and Mark Taufua have been named in the starting side while Matt Hilder starts at hooker, although Isaac De Gois could still be a late inclusion.

"The majority have been really good," Stone said. "Somewhat distracted at times obviously after certain events. This week we've had a good talk about our particular focus and concentrating on what we can control.

"That's something we're fairly comfortable with and we understand what we've got to do and what processes to put into place for us to play well on the weekend.

"I think all the boys understand where we're heading."

Making things even tougher for Newcastle is that its first game of the season is an away trip to face last year's preliminary finalist Canterbury at ANZ Stadium -- a ground that has seen the Bulldogs dominate in six of their past nine games there.

"Obviously our record there is not terrific . . . the Bulldogs are a tough team and there's no doubt they play a consistent brand of footy, a really physical brand of footy," Stone said.