Kirk Reynoldson heads back to Newcastle for the first time tonight, determined to convince the Knights they made a mistake letting him go in controversial circumstances last year.
"So, mate, I wouldn't be human if I said there wasn't something a little extra special about this game," Reynoldson told News Limited last night.
"Actually it's a bit like having your birthday in November, knowing Christmas is only a month away. Know what I mean?
"And against the Knights, yeah, I certainly want to stand up to be counted. This game has been in the back of my mind for a while."
Reynoldson was happily settled in Newcastle for three seasons after being signed from Melbourne, but he was unceremoniously dumped to reserve grade just one game short of triggering a one-year contract extension.
The 'bushranger' has been doing it tough since being shown the door by the Newcastle club.
He's been renting, surviving on match payments and managing his own contract negotiations since moving down south.
It has been a month since Reynoldson struck a confidential settlement with the Knights for a figure believed to be less than half his promised contract figure.
"So to have that sorted, have everything settled, it means I can just move on with my life now," Reynoldson concurred.
"So I'm starting again. I've got a clean slate."
"Obviously, this year was always going to be tough financially but I've been fortunate to play most of my games in first grade which has helped."
"I've spoken informally with a couple of clubs but right now I'm just focused on playing footy and keeping our streak going.
The Dragons will be gunning for their seventh straight game tonight against the Knights, and received a boost yesterday with news NSW skipper Danny Buderus was ruled out with a fracture under his knee.
"But they'll still be tough," Reynoldson said. "Obviously Bedsy is a big loss but like every club in the NRL these days, there's always someone to step up and fill the hole."
Reynoldson is of the belief he will cop the same treatment as any other player when he heads back to Newcastle, even though the Knights fans were prepared to rip up their memberships because of the way Reynoldson was treated at the Knights.
"Oh, I'm sure there will be plenty of boys having a few quiet beers keen to let me now their opinions," he laughed.
"And that's fine. That's what footy is all about. You can't blame them for loving their Knights."
