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After getting a five-week jump on suspended Manly full-back Brett Stewart, Newcastle captain Kurt Gidley is on a mission to win the NSW No.1 spot.
Gidley says he wants to be a State of Origin starter this year, and has challenged Knights half-back Jarrod Mullen to join him.
Pigeon-holed as a utility player at representative level for much of his career, Gidley starts the season on Sunday afternoon with the weight of Newcastle on his shoulders.
He succeeds club legends Danny Buderus and Andrew Johns as Knights skipper and, in a strong statement of his own leadership qualities, Gidley says he will lift his performances this year - and he wants his team-mates to follow suit.
Gidley wants to dominate at full-back and take a stranglehold on the Blues' No1 jersey. He replaced Stewart at full-back for the deciding game in last year's series.
But there are other challengers, notably returning Roosters full-back and former Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello.
"I wouldn't knock back that utility role if that's what got me into every rep team, but the next progression is to make the starting team," Gidley said.
"I love nothing more than starting the game and being on the pace straight away.
"I think the longer you sit on the bench, the more energy you burn doing nothing on the sideline."
Gidley was in line to start last year's Origin series at half-back before breaking his cheekbone on the eve of the first game.
Gidley says he wants to be a State of Origin starter this year, and has challenged Knights half-back Jarrod Mullen to join him.
Pigeon-holed as a utility player at representative level for much of his career, Gidley starts the season on Sunday afternoon with the weight of Newcastle on his shoulders.
He succeeds club legends Danny Buderus and Andrew Johns as Knights skipper and, in a strong statement of his own leadership qualities, Gidley says he will lift his performances this year - and he wants his team-mates to follow suit.
Gidley wants to dominate at full-back and take a stranglehold on the Blues' No1 jersey. He replaced Stewart at full-back for the deciding game in last year's series.
But there are other challengers, notably returning Roosters full-back and former Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello.
"I wouldn't knock back that utility role if that's what got me into every rep team, but the next progression is to make the starting team," Gidley said.
"I love nothing more than starting the game and being on the pace straight away.
"I think the longer you sit on the bench, the more energy you burn doing nothing on the sideline."
Gidley was in line to start last year's Origin series at half-back before breaking his cheekbone on the eve of the first game.
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