SYDNEY Jan 17th AAP - Newcastle winger James McManus says the return of coach Rick Stone could be a boost for the NRL club, admitting that players struggled to handle the prestige that came with former mentor Wayne Bennett.
"I think sometimes with Wayne and the guys that were here, a lot of guys sort of went into their shells for a while there," McManus said.
"There's a mystique, or a shadow (with Bennett) and it's a much more enjoyable environment at the moment .
"We've still been working hard, so it hasn't come at a cost of that hard stuff as well and hopefully we'll have a great year."
McManus, who played under Stone during the 47-year-old's first stint in charge of the Knights from 2009 to 2011, says that the players feel a greater sense of accountability now that Bennett has departed.
"Everyone feels like they've got a bit more ownership of the place now, it's their responsibility to take things forward," he said.
"Us as players, it's our responsibility."
Stone served as an assistant coach under Bennett during the supercoach's three season stint in the Hunter and McManus believes that he's improved as a coach since his first spell in charge.
"We're certainly working a lot harder, I think that's something he's continued on from Wayne Bennett and he's created a really great environment for everyone up in Newcastle and everyone's enjoying what they're doing," he said.
"There's just a really good vibe around the place at the moment and that's something Stoney brings to the table as a coach, he did the last time and he's done it again now, so it's really enjoyable"
The emergence of the Mata'utia clan has given McManus and fellow veteran winger Akulia Uate serious competition for positions in first grade but McManus says it's a blessing to have so much depth at the club.
"The media always loves to hype up young guys coming through and generally the media don't have too much of a clue what they're talking about," he said.
"It's good having the depth in the club, Akulia and I have both been working really hard and we know what we bring to the club and we know how hard we've been working and what that's going to result in.
"The future of the club is strong, we've got good depth and every club needs good depth so it's going to be a good year."
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