Newcastle Knights five-eighth Tyson Gamble has admitted he is feeling the nerves ahead of his maiden finals game on Sunday afternoon.
The 27-year-old arrived in the Hunter at the end of last season expecting to be fighting for a spot on the Knights’ bench but was quickly elevated to a starting role after Kalyn Ponga’s injury concerns.
Since starting in Round 2, Gamble has started 18 games in the halves, forming a solid partnership with Jackson Hastings throughout the season.
Named to start at six for the Knights’ elimination final, Gamble opened up on how he is preparing for uncharted territory.
“In the NRL I’ve never played finals footy,” Gamble told SENQ Breakfast.
“I don’t think I’ve even been at a team that’s played finals footy, so it’s a bit of a first time for me, the nerves are still building.
“We’re still five days away but that’s alright nerves are a good thing.”
Gamble played one game for the Wests Tigers before moving to the Brisbane Broncos in 2020 where he played 24 games before departing for the Knights.
“You want to get to the game as quick as possible but that’s the hardest thing you have to do the preparation,” Gamble added.
“We’re at training again this morning it’s going to be a big day for us, we’ve got to nail that because this’ll be our last big training session leading into the game.
“The nerves are even building for today at training, I’m excited but nervous as hell.”
Newcastle hosts the Canberra Raiders in the second elimination final at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.