GREATER Northern Academy Tiger coach Matt Kenny is upbeat about his squad's first hit-out against the Newcastle Knights Under 17 development squad at Kurri Kurri Sportsground on Saturday.

Kenny is "looking forward" to the trial after an impressive final training session at Tamworth's Jack Woolaston Oval last Saturday.

"They really started to click," Kenny said.

"They've come together very well.

"We had a very good training session where we worked hard on the middle third did a lot of good ruck work.

"I'm looking forward to players like Will McAuliffe and James Bradley in the halves.

"They are big-time players.

"And Manny Sithole out wide too with Tom Baker as well.

"Also Jayden Slater at fullback he's very much a big part of this team.

"But I am real happy with the way they have trained and I'm excited about this weekend as well as building for the big one at Narrabeen, the Academy Challenge."

While the Knights Under 17 development squad game looms large, the February 27/28 Academy Challenge will pit the Tigers, and the younger GNA Cubs, against the other six academies from across the State.

The teams will play two games each day, 14 minutes each way shortened matches to finalise the 2015-2016 GNA program.

GREATER NORTHERN ACADEMY

Jordan Allan (Werris Creek), Max Altus (Coonamble), Morgan Amidy (Singleton), Fletcher Baker (Muswellbrook), Tom Baker (Narrabri), James Bradley (Reedy Creek), Zac Butler (Dalwood), Cody Byrne (Tamworth), Jack Cameron (Loomberah), Ian Carter (Woolooma), Lachlan Chard (Emmaville), Alec Cocking (Tamworth), Ethan Connors (Tingha), Bailey Cosgrove (Tingha), KC Edmonds (Inverell), Jed Englert (Duri), Alexander Fisher (Glen Innes), Lachlan Fry (Singleton), Max Greacen (Sandy Hollow), Alek Hall (Quirindi), James Hargrave (Uralla), Jacob Haynes (Wee Waa), Luke Howes (Gunnedah), Ryan Ingram (Tamworth), Bailey Lennox (Gunnedah), Brock Matthews (Muswellbrook), Will McAuliffe (Inverell), Steven McGrady (Inverell), Matthew Morgan (McCullys Gap), Zac Parker (Warialda), Jack Patterson (Tamworth), Thomas Pickersgill (Denman), Dylan Porter (Tamworth), Elijah Rasiga (Armidale), Koen Reiri (Tamworth), Jake Saunders (Tamworth), Emmanuel Sithole (Muswellbrook), Jayden Slater (Werris Creek), Jacob Smith (Armidale), Bailey Taylor (Muswellbrook), Caleb Taylor (Scone).