Finally there is optimism in the Hunter after three straight wooden spoons for the Knights from 2015 to 2017.
Will an off-season splurge on some quality players transform the team to finals contenders or will they be a bottom feeders once again in 2018?
Last season
16th, five wins, 19 losses, 428 points scored, 648 points conceded
Last five seasons
Seventh (made prelim final), 12th, 16th, 16th, 16th
2017 review
Despite finishing with the wooden spoon for a third straight season, the Knights made significant steps forward in 2017.
They lost 11 games by 12 points or less, which showed a huge improvement in competitiveness and resilience, across the 80 minutes, from a young side.
The Knights, despite only winning five games, improved their overall differential by 275 points in 2017, and they finally appear ready to make a leap forward in 2018 with a host of big signings.
2018 gains
Herman Ese’ese (Broncos – 2020), Slade Griffin (Storm – 2019), Aidan Guerra (Roosters – 2020), Chris Heighington (Sharks – 2018), Jacob Lillyman (Warriors – 2018), Tautau Moga (Broncos – 2020), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters – 2021), Kalyn Ponga (Cowboys – 2021), Connor Watson (Roosters – 2020).
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
2018 losses
Brendan Elliot (Titans), Jaelen Feeney (Townsville Blackhawks), Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs), Jacob Gagan (Rabbitohs), Rory Kostjasyn (retired), Jesse Martin (Sea Eagles), Sam Mataora (retired), Chanel Matautia (retired), Peter Matautia (Leigh), Jarrod Mullen (retired), Mickey Paea (Hull FC), Josh Starling (Oberon), Jack Stockwell (Titans), Anthony Tupou (retired), Joe Wardle (Castleford), Tyler Randell (Wakefield Trinity), Pauli Pauli (Wakefield Trinity), David Bhana, Will Pearsall (released), Trent Hodkinson (Sharks)
The Knights have been the big winners over the summer, completely reshaping their roster with a ton of Salary Cap space available to them. Starting with Mitchell Pearce – he plays the most important position on the field, is a premiership winner, has played close to 250 first grade games and over 20 Origins.
The Knights needed a marquee man to give the passionate Newcastle community hope again and, with some good signings around him, in Pearce they have that. Kayln Ponga has the potential to be a superstar at fullback. He is freakish talent and seems to have the build to withstand the hits.
The Knights have also bought a really solid centre in Tautau Moga and the Roosters trio of Kenny-Dowall, Watson and Guerra are also used to playing in a winning side. Even Chris Heighington is from a winning culture, and he will add something off the bench.
Their only real loss of note is Dane Gagai, who has been their best backline player over the past couple of years, however decided to make the move to the Rabbitohs in the off-season.
Coach – Nathan Brown
Nathan Brown has taken his medicine the past couple of seasons, building a side from virtually the ground up. I applaud him for taking the long approach, with decisions he made over the past couple of years to get rid of some experienced players, and give the kids an opportunity to learn on the run.
It would have been easier for him to achieve results in his first two seasons by signing some veterans and plugging some holes. However, he made the tough calls and cleaned out the place.
This resulted in some heavy beatings early, however they had significant room to move in their salary cap and I think Brown has bought very well.
Most important player – Mitchell Pearce
No surprise here, this year the Knights will go as far as Mitchell Pearce will take them. Trent Hodkinson was running on old legs, and young halves like Brock Lamb and Jack Cogger did some good things, but to have a general like Pearce running the team is a huge boost.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Say what you like about Pearce’s rep career, but he is in the top few halfbacks in the NRL in terms of production, durability and experience, and his on-field leadership will really accelerate a side that has lost plenty of close games over the past couple of seasons. Pearce will also thrive without the pressure of the Sydney fishbowl and the weight of expectation at the Roosters, which was basically every season, premiership or bust.
2018 side
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Nathan Ross 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Tautau Moga 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Slade Griffin 10. Jacob Lillian 11. Aidan Guerra 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Mitchell Barnett
14. Danny Levi 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Chris Heighington 17. Herman Ese’ese
2018 verdict – 11th
I can’t see the Knights claiming a fourth straight wooden spoon. I originally had them in my top eight however I just think their lack of quality power in the forwards might see them fall a game or two short.
They will be one of the feelgood stories of 2018, winning more than half their home games and playing some attractive and expansive football.
The combination between Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson is going to be really exciting to watch and will pose a big threat to sides.
Probably my main area of concern is the front row, where they could struggle to get on top of experienced sides in the middle of the field. Their backline looks decent enough, however the loss of Dane Gagai is a blow.
The Knights are going to win 10-11 games and be right in the finals mix until the last round or two of the season, which will be a relative success for coach Nathan Brown.
If they click early, and the crowds start selling the place out, they are capable of making the top eight – this is a talented team in key positions with attacking flair.
However, they might just lack the winning culture and physicality when the real grind late in the season kicks in and road wins may still be hard to come by.
If they miss out on the finals this year, they are morals next year – they are a side on the way up.
Eddie’s ladder
11th: Newcastle Knights
12th: South Sydney Rabbitohs
13th: Gold Coast Titans
14th: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15th: Wests Tigers
16th: New Zealand Warriors
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The Bulldogs are facing a $4 million lawsuit from former player Jackson Topine, after allegedly being forced to wrestle his teammates as punishment for…
The Knights halfback objected to the unnecessarily aggressive tackle from Kurt Donoghoe with just seconds on the clock.
First, Kurt Donoghoe dropped the ball looking to pass and then Jake Averillo fumbled a kick in-goal. They would prove costly as Newcastle ran out four-point…
Oryn Keeley may only be four games into his career, but he knows how to celebrate tries!
The Dolphins forward copped an accidental shoulder to the head while trying to tackle Leo Thompson, and subsequently failed his HIA, ruling him out…
A dream start for Newcastle fullback David Armstrong!
