The Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra will play for the Alex McKinnon Cup for the first time on Saturday after the clubs announced the new trophy in honour of the man whose career was tragically cut short by a debilitating neck injury.

McKinnon made his debut for the Dragons before making the switch to the Knights under good friend and coach Wayne Bennett.

“I obviously spent a lot of time at the Dragons and cherish my time down there and I also really cherish my time playing first grade at the Knights,” McKinnon said.

“To see the game this weekend where my mates are playing on both sides, I am really looking forward to being there.”