Newcastle Knights greatest XVII

Today I continue my series where I name the greatest all-time teams for each NRL franchise. In this edition, the Newcastle Knights are the team in focus.

They have been a strong club and have won two premierships. They were one of the main reasons the ARL survived the Super League War – and now their greatest players will be revealed.

1. Robbie O’Davis
6 caps for Australia, 12 for Queensland, Clive Churchill Medal Winner

He was the fullback in their two premiership wins. O’Davis was a dynamic fullback who was able to form a deadly combination with Andrew Johns.

2. Darren Albert
1 cap for NSW

Will be forever remembered as the person who scored the match-winning try in the 1997 grand final. Known for his great try-scoring ability and his electric speed, he is perhaps fastest player in the NRL ever. He once recorded a 10.7 in the 100m sprint, in where he slowed down in the last 10m, showing his elite speed.

3. Timana Tahu
5 caps for Australia, 12 for NSW

Tahu was a tall, physically gifted outside back who was pound for pound of the strongest players ever. Tahu could use his power and pace to dominate his opponents and was just as good in defence. These skills made him become a dual-international.

4. Matt Gidley
17 caps for Australia, 11 for NSW

Gidley was a fine attacking player who used his big step and one handed offload to set up his winger. He was strong and a very dangerous ball runner. Gidley was force whenever he was on his game.

5. Akuila Uate
5 caps for Australia, 8 for Fiji, 5 for NSW, 3x Winger of the year, RLIF Winger of the year

Uate is a stocky, super strong and very fast winger. He has been a cult hero for the Knights where he has scored 109 tries. Close the line Uate could barge over multiple defenders to score, but he is also good for picking up metres while getting out of his own half.

6. Jarrod Mullen
1 cap for NSW

Mullen is a very gifted half who has great vision. He is able to throw 40m cut-out passes both on his left and right side. He has a strong kicking game and is a very good defender.

Mullen has shown flashes of his talent and has been good for the Knights but has never reached that elite status he is capable of.

7. Andrew Johns
23 caps for Australia, 23 for NSW, 3x Dally M Medal Winner, 4x halfback of the year, 5x RLW Player of the year, 2x Golden Boot winner, Clive Churchill Medal winner

Andrew Johns is by far the greatest halfback ever, and is featured in debates about the best to ever play the game.

Johns had it all as a player a pinpoint kicking game and as the inventor of the banana kick. He had a great running game, could throw spirals to his teammates, amazing defence for a half and just overall toughness.

These attributes made Johns the eighth Immortal, rugby league’s greatest accolade.

Johns was an accurate goal kicker and is second overall in pointscoring in the NRL to the Bulldogs Hazem El Masri. Johns’ greatest asset was that he knew when to run, pass or kick his sense of anticipation is second to none.

There hasn’t been a player that can elevate his team like Johns did. In 2005 he was injured for 6 games. The Knights had lost 13 games straight, when Johns returned they won 8 out of 11 games and made a push for the finals.

He just missed out on the Dally M Medal by one point to Johnathan Thurston that same year, despite missing six games. The masterclass he put on in in Game 2 of the 2005 Origin series as he obliterated Queensland demonstrates his greatness.

His clutch play at key moments – such as in the 1997 grand final – cements Johns as a sure selection in this Knights side.

8. Tony Butterfield
1 cap for NSW

Such a key player in the Knights engine room who made plenty of metres, a great clubman who was a type of player wanted in any team.

9. Danny Buderus
24 caps for Australia, 21 for NSW, Dally M Medal Winner, 3x Hooker of the year, Brad Fittler Medal Winner.

Buderus had it all for a hooker. He made great darts from dummy half, was a tough defender, had a solid kicking game and remained a very smart player. One of the greatest hookers to ever play Buderus optimised what it meant to be a Newcastle Knight. That he was the captain of NSW shows his leadership.

10. Paul Harragon
14 caps for Australia, 20 for NSW, prop of the year

‘Chief’ was a ruthless, damaging prop who played with no fear whatsoever. His heated rivalry with Mark Carroll is an indication how he played the game.

11. Steve Simpson
7 caps for Australia, 13 for NSW

Simpson’s career was riddled with injuries which stopped him from reaching his potential.

12. Ben Kennedy
16 caps for Australia, 13 for NSW, 2x Lock of the year

One of the finest back rowers in the game in his prime, Kennedy excelled at busting the line on the edge or offloading the ball at will, which won him multiple representative appearances.

13. Marc Granville
Part of the first Knights team, Granville was the heart and soul of the Knights. He was incredibly fit which made him a very productive player.

Bench
Kurt Gidley, Mark Sargent, Adam Muir and Chris Houston

The names in this squad rank among some of the best in the history of rugby league. The addition of Andrew Johns puts them up another level. Are they they best team in my series?