Forget State of Origin, it’s all about Newcastle now. That’s the message from star halfback Mitchell Pearce who now has the job of steering the Knights to their first finals appearance in six years.

The Knights take on Canterbury in Friday Night Footy at McDonald Jones Stadium.

“We’ve put ourselves in a pretty good position to make a run at the play-offs so it’s up to us to take advantage,” Pearce told The Newcastle Herald.

“The ball’s in our court as far as deciding how far we want to take our season.”

Pearce confirmed he would back up after the Blues went back-to-back on Wednesday.

“There is no doubt the Origin period is distracting for everyone but now that’s out of the way and that box is ticked off, it’s about being fully invested in the back end of the year for the Knights and try and create something special.

“I’ve got no doubts we’ve got the team to do it.”

The Knights are currently in 6th position.