After claiming the wooden spoon in 2015, the Newcastle Knights will be looking to turn things around in the upcoming season with a new coach arriving at the club.
One of the few shining lights heading into the club’s 2016 campaign is the recruitment of State of Origin halfback Trent Hodkinson, who will replace Tyrone Roberts to partner Jarrod Mullen in the halves.
Fans of the struggling franchise will be hoping that Hodkinson can help lift them off the bottom of the ladder alongside new mentor Nathan Brown, who has previously coached the St George Illawarra Dragons, Huddersfield and St Helens in the Super League, and most recently was assistant to Laurie Daley for the NSW Blues.
There are plenty of unknowns for the Knights in 2016 with very few spots in the starting line-up secured, however it is set to be yet another long year for fans of the Hunter team.
Rookie watch
Brown is set to blood a plethora of rookies in 2016 with a number of young stars coming through at Newcastle.
The most exciting of that bunch are the Saifiti brothers, Daniel and Jacob, hailing from the Central Coast. They were two of the best players running around the Holden Cup in 2015 and are slated as two of the most promising forwards in rugby league.
Playing 22 and 15 games respectively, the twins are still eligible to play in the Holden Cup. They are likely to play out most of 2016 defending the Knights’ NSW Cup title but are bound to play in the NRL if a couple of injuries are sustained in the forward pack.
Not only do Newcastle have sizeable forwards brewing, they also have some talented halves.
Having spent the past two seasons in the NYC, Jack Cogger is one of those ready to step up during the State of Origin period while new recruit Hodkinson is absent.
The 18-year-old has been a standout for Newcastle and has played 25 games in the Holden Cup so far, 21 of those coming in 2015. A halfback by trade, the Toukley Hawks junior represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2014. Best of all, he is still eligible to play in the Holden Cup until the end of 2017.
Brock Lamb is another player set to challenge for a spot in the halves in 2016 and also has two full seasons of NYC left. The Maitland junior made 23 appearances in 2015 and partnered Cogger in the halves as a member of the 2014 Australian Schoolboys team.
Like Cogger, Lamb is a face of the future and is destined to lead the Knights beyond the Jarrod Mullen era. The highly rated five-eighth’s partnership with Cogger has been likened to that of Andrew Johns and his brother Matthew, with the duo expected to help revive Newcastle and deliver them a premiership within the next decade.
Lamb and Cogger have competition on their hands with new recruit Will Pearsall arriving at the club from Manly, where he was instrumental in the side being last year’s NYC runners-up. During four years at the Sea Eagles, the five-eighth made 77 appearances to be the fourth-most capped Holden Cup player in history.
The battle is on between Cogger, Lamb and Pearsall for a first-grade debut.
Pat Mata’utia and Jaelen Feeney will also be hoping that they can finally make their way into the top side after both failed to make their debut in 2015.
Under pressure
Brown arrives at Newcastle as the fourth coach in three years. The struggling club may not want to hunt for another coach, however Brown is by no means safe and must make immediate changes.
The former Dragons coach has signed a three-year deal and is expected to blood a batch of new rookies to return the Knights to their winning ways.
If Brown fails to unite the playing group and Newcastle show no sign of improvement however, Brown is a serious risk of losing his job less than a year after taking the role from his predecessor, caretaker coach and club legend Danny Buderus.
Can Trent Hodkinson revive the Knights?
Blues halfback Hodkinson arrives at the Knights with the weight of a club on his shoulders.
Hodkinson has carried his team to victory plenty of times, most notably when he steered the Blues to a State of Origin series win in 2014 that saw the end of a historic eight-year drought. He also during helped the Bulldogs to the grand final that year, after finishing the regular season in seventh position.
Hodkinson didn’t have the best season in 2015, however he is bound to turn that around and help steer Newcastle off the bottom of the ladder in the upcoming campaign.
The Knights chose the right man for the job, but they need his halves partner Mullen to pull his weight and return to form without getting injured.
Is the Knights squad good enough to compete?
Newcastle have struggled on the recruitment front ahead of 2016, with club legend Kurt Gidley departing for the Super League, while State of Origin representative Beau Scott also departed, alongside young guns Kerrod Holland, Adam Clydsdale and Carlos Tuimavave, stalwarts Clint Newton, Chris Houston and David Fa’alogo, and local junior Tyrone Roberts.
The Knights have brought only five players into the first-grade squad from outside the club. The only notable signings apart from Hodkinson has been former Tonga international Mickey Paea, as well as Warriors recruit David Bhana and Queensland Cup utility Krys Freeman.
In 2015, the Knights were one of the most experienced teams in the competition but now the club has a mere six players with more than 100 first-grade games under their belt. No players have surpassed the 200-game milestone.
They only boast two major representative stars, with Dane Gagai and Hodkinson representing Queensland and New South Wales respectively.
The Knights have one of the weakest rosters in the NRL, which means they will fail to become a premiership force in 2016.
Must watch
Round 4 versus Warriors
Monday, March 28, 2pm at Mt Smart Stadium
Newcastle face off against one of the best rosters in the NRL when they head across the ditch to Auckland to play the Warriors on Easter Monday.
It will prove a huge test for the struggling franchise, with the Warriors seen as one of the competition heavyweights.
The Knights’ inexperienced backline will be tested against the likes of Manu Vatuvei and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, while their forward pack, small in comparison with other teams, will face off against New Zealand Test captain Simon Mannering and fellow internationals Ben Matulino and Ryan Hoffman.
The Warriors will set the benchmark for the remainder of the competition and give Newcastle a level they will strive to reach.
Round 16 versus Dragons
Saturday, June 25, 3pm at Hunter Stadium
The majority of encounters between the Knights and Dragons in recent years have been extremely close, making their first meeting for 2016 enticing, despite the obvious difference in skill level and experience between both club’s rosters.
The game will fall during the State of Origin period, which will somewhat level the playing field, and give the Knights a chance to grab two points.
A good performance could see Newcastle get a win in front of their home fans and put them in good stead for the remainder of the season.
Predicted best XVII
1. Jake Mamo, 2. Akuila Uate, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Sione Mata’utia, 5. Nathan Ross, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson, 8. Kade Snowden, 9. Tyler Randell, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Danny Levi, 15. Jack Stockwell, 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17. Robbie Rochow
2016 signings
David Bhana (New Zealand Warriors), Krys Freeman (Norths Devils), Trent Hodkinson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Mickey Paea (Hull FC), Will Pearsall (Manly Sea Eagles)
2016 draw (AEST)
Round 1: Titans versus Knights (Sunday, March 6, 6:30pm at Cbus Super Stadium)
Round 2: Rabbitohs versus Knights (Saturday, March 12, 5:30pm at ANZ Stadium)
Round 3: Knights versus Raiders (Saturday, March 19, 5:30pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 4: Warriors versus Knights (Monday, March 28, 2pm at Mt Smart Stadium)
Round 5: Storm versus Wests Tigers (Saturday, April 2, 3pm at AAMI Park)
Round 6: Knights versus Wests Tigers (Sunday, April 10, 4pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 7: Broncos versus Knights (Saturday, April 16, 7:30pm at Suncorp Stadium)
Round 8: Knights versus Sea Eagles (Monday, April 25, 2pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 9: Roosters versus Knights (Saturday, April 30, 5:30pm at Allianz Stadium)
Round 10: Knights versus Sharks (Sunday, May 15, 2pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 11: Wests Tigers versus Knights (Saturday, May 21, 3pm at Campbelltown Stadium)
Round 12: Knights versus Eels (Monday, May 30, 7pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 13: Cowboys versus Knights (Saturday, June 4, 5:30pm at 1300Smiles Stadium)
Round 14: Knights versus Warriors (Saturday, June 11, 3pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 15: Bye
Round 16: Knights versus Dragons (Saturday, June 25, 3pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 17: Raiders versus Knights (Sunday, July 3, 2pm at GIO Stadium)
Round 18: Bye
Round 19: Knights versus Storm (Sunday, July 17, 2pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 20: Sharks versus Knights (Sunday, July 24, 2pm at Shark Park)
Round 21: Sea Eagles versus Knights (July 28-August 1 at Brookvale Oval)
Round 22: Knights versus Bulldogs (August 4-August 8 at Hunter Stadium)
Round 23: Knights versus Panthers (August 11-August 15 at Hunter Stadium)
Round 24: Knights versus Titans (August 18-August 22 at Hunter Stadium)
Round 25: Knights versus Rabbitohs (August 25-August 29 at Mt Smart Stadium)
Round 26: Dragons versus Knights (September 1-September 4 at Jubilee Oval)
Prediction
The Knights will continue to struggle, however they will finish just above the Wests Tigers and Titans in 14th.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The prop cupboard is very bare, and with the new interchange rules I'm not sure less-fit players more suited to the edges will be able to make-shift as props to the same degree of effectiveness as they have recently.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sam Ltta people dont realise that Brownie won the SL GFinal without his spine and all play makers. he had to change his strategy in the run, really quiet brilliant.
chris n
Guest
Another big name prop would be great but dont think forwards are going to be a problem the forwards were great last year marched up the field quite easily just had ordinary halves who couldnt convert that field position into points and think we have more depth this year with the likes of the sims brothers, saifiti brothers, kade snowden,robbie rochow,jeremy smith,jack stockwell,micky paea,sam matorora,joesph tapine,lachlan fitzgibbon and pauli pauli all fighting for a spot im more concerned with our depth in the centres, who is going to play fullback and inexperience in the hookers.
James T
Guest
If Mullen doesn't play well is hard to see Newcastle not being bottom 4. But if Mullen has a good year and injuries are kind anything is possible.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Certainly not the Rabbitohs, otherwise he would have known that we won 5 games that year.?
Waley
Guest
I put money on Holly Holm to beat the invincilble Ronda Rousey... Paid dividends I hope that answers your question William
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I hope you don't punt excessively with calls like that.
Waley
Guest
Knights to make top 8, Mullen will shine with a decent halfback and will be able to play more of a 5/8 role.
Samtwocan
Guest
Along with Gallen getting the captaincy.
Samtwocan
Guest
Who do you follow Doug ?
Doug Graves
Guest
Strap yourselves in because the Knights in 2016 are about to serve up the worst NRL campaign since the Rabibtohs went 3W 21L back in 2002. Absolute morals for the spoon and they'll be lucky to win 5 games.
Samtwocan
Guest
I'm with you Scott as far as The coach is concerned , he's a genuine good guy and has proved now that he can win a comp , they'd be paying good coin to make the eight I reckon .
Muzz
Guest
Big boys.
The eye
Guest
Just the Trjoevics..
Muzz
Guest
I bet Brown wishes he had Barrett's roster. 15th.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Aaah fair enough missed that line. Probably the most frustrating aspect of Origin is that NSW still do not have a number 1 halves pairing.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
EJ He said:"Jack Cogger is one of those ready to step up during the State of Origin period while new recruit Hodkinson is absent." So yes, sounds like it to me.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The number of young players makes it very hard to predict anything about the Knights, they seem to be following the Penrith 2014 formula a bit which is interesting. If anything is going to be a problem it's that they're a bit light on for quality forwards. They've moved on a lot of under performing older players but their replacements are a work in progress -- even if they turn out to be good players, 2016 is probably a year or two too early.
chris n
Guest
For me its all about the halfs thats what the knights lacked most last year if the can both stay on the field for the majority of the season the knights will be playing finals footy.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Did Riley say he was a certainty?