After finishing seventh and getting to within one game of the grand final in 2013, much was expected of the Newcastle Knights this year.
However, several issues plagued the club this year including the career-ending neck injury to Alex McKinnon, the relinquishing of club ownership by Nathan Tinkler, and the departure of coach Wayne Bennett at season’s end.
That all conspired against the Knights as they finished a disappointing 12th on the ladder.
But what else was there? The post-mortem into their season will uncover all.
Newcastle Knights
Final ladder position: 12th (10 wins, 14 losses, -108 differential)
What went right?
After dropping to the bottom of the ladder in Round 14, the Knights’ finals chances were all but shot, but from there they set about avoiding the wooden spoon by winning eight of their last eleven matches.
Some of the club’s victories came against the odds, including coming from behind to defeat the Roosters in Round 20 and pipping the Storm two rounds later, both at home, showing the great strength the side possesses under pressure.
What went wrong?
The Knights’ season was on the back foot when they lost their season opener to the Penrith Panthers 30-8 on March 8.
It then took a turn for the worse when, in Round 3 against the Melbourne Storm, forward Alex McKinnon suffered a horrific neck injury which turned the NRL upside-down.
The psychological effect that it had on the players, as well as Nathan Tinkler giving up ownership of the club, saw the side slump to last place midway through the season after losing seven straight games between Rounds 7 and 14 inclusive.
The club also couldn’t lift for their Alex McKinnon tribute match in Round 19, losing 22-8 to the Gold Coast Titans at home; perhaps the occasion was too much for them.
In addition, fullback Darius Boyd admitted himself into a mental health clinic suffering from depression shortly after the State of Origin series, missing the rest of the season.
Best win: defeated the Cronulla Sharks 30-0 at Hunter Stadium in Round 4
The week after McKinnon suffered his tragic neck injury, the Knights lifted for their injured teammate when they hosted the Cronulla Sharks at home.
Both sides entered the match without a win from their first three games, so the pressure was on both sides to get on the board or face a long season.
In front of their home fans, the Knights banked their first win for 2014, dedicating it to McKinnon, who is still in the process of rehabilitation in the hope that he will walk again.
The victory was set up by strong performances from Joey Leilua, who scored a first-half hat-trick, as well as showings from Tyrone Roberts and Darius Boyd.
Worst loss: lost to the Penrith Panthers 30-8 at Sportingbet Stadium in Round 1
As mentioned, the Knights’ heavy loss to Penrith in Round 1 set the tone for a poor season on and off the field.
The defeat was compounded by injuries to captain Kurt Gidley, fullback Darius Boyd and playmaker Tyrone Roberts, in addition to the Knights making 13 errors and completing just 43 per cent of their sets in the first half.
Without Gidley and Boyd for the second half, which they started leading 8-6, the Knights capitulated before eventually losing 30-8.
Despite the scoreline, Bennett suggested the Knights didn’t play as poorly as many thought.
The loss saw the Knights finish Round 1 at the bottom of the ladder and it wouldn’t be until the penultimate round of the season that they climbed out of the bottom four.
The future
Rick Stone, the man who coached the Knights prior to Wayne Bennett joining the club, has re-inherited the team and he will now have total control over the club and its playing list.
Darius Boyd and Willie Mason have played their final games for the club, with the former rumoured to be following Wayne Bennett back to the Brisbane Broncos while the latter’s future still remains unclear.
The club has not lost any other major names, but they have secured the services of Tariq Sims from the North Queensland Cowboys, as well as Carlos Tuimavave from the New Zealand Warriors.
Former premiership-winning coach Michael Hagan will also return to the club after eight seasons, being appointed as the club’s director of football.
With Wayne Bennett having departed, and Tinkler giving up the club, the Knights can embark on a new era which many expect should be drama-free.
The question will be whether the Knights can deliver on the field in the years to come and put, in particular, the Alex McKinnon injury behind them.
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