Shannon McDonnell eager to grab opportunity at fullback for Knights
BY ROBERT DILLON
SHANNON McDonnell plans to make the most of borrowed time when he debuts for Newcastle in Sunday's blockbuster clash with the Bulldogs at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
The 21-year-old fullback joined the Knights three weeks ago, having sought a release from Wests Tigers, knowing full well that his only opportunities might be in the two games skipper Kurt Gidley is likely to miss because of State of Origin commitments.
Gidley and winger James McManus are in camp with the NSW squad before next week's interstate series opener and, if they retain their positions, will also miss Newcastle's round-18 clash with the Raiders before Origin III.
Newcastle have the bye leading into Origin II.
McDonnell is determined to put his best foot forward in Gidley's absence.
"I've got to take my chances," he said yesterday. "At the moment, I'm just looking forward to having a run and playing my style of game.
"I don't like to think about anything past this week, otherwise it gets a bit too much in your head.
"I just want to get this out of the way first and after that, whatever happens, happens."
Knights coach Brian Smith said McDonnell was a different style of player to Gidley but was confident he would prove an asset as Newcastle's last line of defence.
"He's got 30-odd games of first grade up and he'll add his own little bit of brilliance," Smith said. "He's not a human dynamo like Kurt, but he's a good support player and he's got good finishing speed.
"He knows what he's doing and I'm sure he's looking forward to getting out there and showing everyone what he can do."
McDonnell has warmed up for Sunday's clash with two games for feeder club Nelson Bay, scoring three tries in the process.
He said those hit-outs had boosted his match fitness and, after three weeks training with Newcastle's NRL squad, he was eager to make a good first-up impression.
"I've settled in great," he said.
"The boys have been very welcoming and I like the style of football they play here.
"Smithy knows what type of role I like to play as fullback and we've touched up a few things, so it's all jelled well . . . the crowd's very passionate up here and I'm looking forward to having them behind us and seeing what it's like."
Meanwhile, Newcastle five-eighth Ben Rogers was unable to train yesterday because of a flu virus and is no certainty to play on Sunday. If Rogers is ruled out, Scott Dureau will return to Newcastle's scrumbase and Jarrod Mullen will shift from half to five-eighth.
"Ben went to the doctors this morning, so unless he recovers very quickly, he would have to be in doubt, I would think," Smith said.
"We'll see how he brushes up, but Scotty has been really working hard on his weights and speed, so having a rest for the last couple of weeks has been good for him."
No decisions were made on stand-in skipper Steve Simpson (ankle), Junior Sau (ankle), Danny Wicks (knee) and Richie Fa'oso (neck), who were all on light duties yesterday.
Herald
