Knights' Pearce keen on Ponga combo time
The finals may be just out of reach but Newcastle co-captain Mitchell Pearce believes building chemistry with Kalyn Ponga will be crucial for their NRL ambitions next season.
Ponga will miss his second straight game due to a hamstring injury but is a chance of returning for the Knights' match against his former club North Queensland next week.
Injuries to Pearce and Ponga have meant the pair have played just seven matches together this season - four of them resulting in victories.
The Knights were in the top eight when Pearce tore his pectoral muscle and they have since lost seven of their past 10 to tumble out of the finals equation.
"Whether we make the top eight or not it's probably a bit mathematical," Pearce told AAP.
"But for us it's just about developing our standards and improving as a team, as well as building combinations with me, Kalyn and Connor (Watson).
"That's the biggest thing for the team right now."
Should the Knights fail to finish in the top eight - as expected - it will be just the second time since 2012 that Pearce won't be featuring in the finals.
The only other time the former NSW State of Origin halfback missed September was when he was suspended for half of the 2016 season because of his drunken Australia Day antics.
He said it was crucial the Knights - with only Slade Griffin and Tautau Moga sidelined for the rest of the year - begin forming a successful culture this year to make a push in 2019.
Queensland representative Tim Glasby, as well as Cronulla pair Jesse Ramien and Edrick Lee, are signed on for next year, while the club also has more room to sign free agents.
But Pearce said the time for improvement is now.
"We want to try and win as many games as we can and fight for wins," he said.
"That becomes a culture thing that you can build on for next year.
"To be honest, the way we started the season, it exceeded my expectations a bit.
"It was disappointing getting injured and we've had a lot of young boys play.
"It was a tough trot there and we were fighting above our weight.
"Hopefully we have a good finish to the end of the season."
