According to a club official numbers were quite good with 39 turning up on Tuesday and 37 on Friday.

All the major off season recruits were there including Jesse Royal (front row from Knights), Luke Quigley (hooker from France), Reegan Tanner (backrower Melbourne Storm), Todd Polglase (utility back Knights), Greg Sharpe (lock Gerringong), Mitch Steel (utility France), Mick Campton (front row Cessnock) and Mick Deacon (five eight Greta).

“The boys had two very good sessions and coaches Shaun Collingwood and Barry Moore were very happy with the fitness levels and the effort put in by the boys,” he said.

Kurri will field First, Reserve and Under 19 sides in Newcastle First division and intend to enter a side in Newcastle Second division so long as the numbers are there.

Losses at this stage from last season are Mick Fortier, Karl Weatherly, Robbie Rochow, Blake Birch and Chris Tyrie.

Coaches for 2009 will be Shaun Collingwood first grade, Barry Moore first grade assistant coach, Ron Griffiths second grade and Rod Leggett Under 19’s.

The Under 19’s will be a classy side next season because the Under 17’s from last year were minor premiers, with a couple of the boys, Jai Stevens and Sam Whitehouse playing with the Knights Under 18 side.

Training before Christmas will be held at Hydro Sports Fields and from Tuesday night new trainer and conditioner Brad Wallace will be in charge. “He was with Wests last year so we hope a bit of the West professionalism rubs off on our boys,” said a club official.