To describe the Newcastle Knights’ 2016 campaign as disastrous may be putting it politely. The team from the Hunter managed only a solitary win all season against the up and down Wests Tigers, among a series of drubbings, nil scorelines and record thrashings.
The off-season
The off-season was not kind to Newcastle with second rower and once touted future captain Robbie Rochow leaving the club for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The sporadic and enigmatic winger come fullback Jake Mamo has sought greener pastures in the Super League with Huddersfield and a freak training accident has sidelined new hooker Rory Kostjasyn for at least the first six weeks of the NRL season.
If this wasn’t bad enough for the Knights, the provisional suspension of five-eighth Jarrod Mullen for testing positive to the steroid drostanolone leaves the Knights in a far bigger hole than they found themselves in at the end of 2016.
The addition of the likes of Starling, Sio and Buhrer will seek to provide leadership and experience to this youthful team.
What to look for in 2017
An enormous load now falls on the shoulders of experienced Origin duo Trent Hodkinson and Dane Gagai to steady the ship in the face of this adversity. Newcastle will be grateful to have got an NRL season into the legs of young, up and coming players such as Jaelen Feeney and the Saifiti twins Daniel and Jacob who will certainly be fixtures in their match day squads for 2017.
Will Pearsall and 2016 NYC Club Player of the Year Nick Meaney should also see extended game time in Nathan Browns rebuilding regime.
2017 prediction
Talent retention must be a goal going forward, because this proud club will do itself a disservice should they continue to lose young talent of the likes of Rochow and Mamo for no return.
Nathan Brown came to Newcastle in 2016 boasting of a five-year plan. Hopefully for Knights fans, year two is more fruitful than year one, although I don’t think it will be my many measures. This team lacks experience and too much will fall on the very few experienced and credentialed players in their squad. Brown’s side are set to remain at the foot of the table and it would not surprise me if they endure a winless season.
Sorry Knights fans.
2017 prediction: 16th
NRL 2016 record: 1-1-22 (7 points- 16th)
Ins: Josh Starling (Manly), Ken Sio (Hull KR), Rory Kostjasyn (North Queensland), Jamie Buhrer (Manly)
Outs: Jeremy Smith (retirement), Korbin Sims (Brisbane), Akuila Uate (Manly)
Big Daddy
Guest
One of Newcastle's main problem is that they have no financial backing. Wests Newcastle are the only ones who have been mentioned but this has been an ongoing saga for probably 20 years. Secondly they are owned by the NRL and cannot get a suitable buyer. So they are finding it hard to attract top rate players.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
Thank you for your feedback- much appreciated =) I agree regarding Mullen- but a hamstring injury or two vs a drug suspension just change the vibe around the club and sets a poor example overall. A bad cultural vibe. I think they've invested time into Feeney in 2016 and to not give him a go in 2017 would be time and resources wasted to be honest. I would love to see those players such as Pearsall and Meaney thrown in the mix at some stage- particularly late in the season if things are tracking as I forecast them.
Knight Vision
Guest
Nice article and thanks for taking the time to put it together. You're incorrect on a few points though so allow me please Mamo didnt seek greener pastures he was told to look elsewhere. Not first grade standard and doesnt fit into Brownies plans. Money has been saved. Mullen is a lose no doubt his experience will be missed. Club legend . His hammies most likely wouldnt of passed the season and he was training as a dummy half back up. Lamb most likely to fill the 5/8 role. Out of the many up and coming players Jaelen Feeney is probably one of the last you would mention. I'd be surprised if he gets a run. "Will Pearsall and 2016 NYC Club Player of the Year Nick Meaney" are some of the last guys likely to get a run this year unless someone is injured. Meaney in particular is at least another 12 months off being first grade ready. At no stage has Brown mentioned a 5 year plan, I think you may be confused with Rothfields rambling of Gould's 5 year plan which was also never mentioned. You are right about the need for talent retention. The young boys coming through have huge futures and although the clubs going through a dark time at present there is a very bright future ahead if the young kids stay together. With some astute buys over the next season or 2 the rise will be rapid and swift.
Knight Vision
Guest
Again , no idea. Sims approached the Knights for a contract extension. He was told ( as have all the players ) that there will be no contracts offered or extended at this time. He was told he could look elsewhere which he did. Sims was on good money at the Knights and was not giving bang for the buck. He will go well in a good team but not worth the money he was on at the Knights and is certainly not a leader.
Knight Vision
Guest
youngsters arent that young ? Seriously dude you have no idea what you are talking about
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
And the Knights loss is the Broncos gain. A tremendous pick up for them and a loss Newcastle really could not afford. I agree with you about the young pack lacking leadership.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
Yourself and quite a few pundits are quite bullish about Ken Sio's hopes. I did not see much of his stint in the Super League, but I'm sure he will be richer for the experience and shine on a poorer roster such as this.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Looking forward to seeing Ken Sio play. I think he will be better for his overseas stint. I thought he was pretty good for Parra before he left so expecting good things from him this year. Buhrer and Starling will have to play a big role in this team as well as Rory either off the bench or starting hooker. I think they will have 1 or 2 surprise wins.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think he is a big loss, and said so in Scotts article earlier. With the lost of Jeremy Smith they need a leader and I thought it would be Sims but he's gone. Young pack and it looks like it will be Buhrer leading the way but I don't think he's much of a leader and new to the club and the players. I think Sims is a big loss with similar impact to losing Mullen.
Rod
Guest
I think the loss of Sims will only be able to be guaged when we see what improvements the Saifiti twins have made since we last saw them. Daniel in particular, showed allot of promise at times but i think prop is the hardest position to gain consistency at as a youngster.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
How big of a loss is Korbin Sims' move to the Broncos? Thoughts?
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
I agree with a lot of this Albo. Their leadership is thin, their spine is the worst in the league to put it bluntly and their youngsters are exactly that- young.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
Time will tell Vincent. For Knights fans sanity and loyalty, I hope they prove me wrong =)
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
4.5 is incredibly generous in my opinion, but State of Origin time may be their best chance to secure a win @ McDonald Jones Stadium, although I'm skeptical.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
Max, I support the mighty Melbourne Storm.
Albo
Guest
Surely the Knights can only hope that their local players gain another year of experience and improve on their performances. The off season hasn't really helped them, with the addition of Buhrer the only likely benefit. They still lack an on-field leader, the role that Mullen regularly failed at in recent years. They do have a couple of good forwards developing in Elliot and Barnett, but their spine is very wobbly and limited , and Ponga is still a year away. They might win more than one game this year, but it is hard to see them threatening a top 8 position.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha Jase :)
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
On to more pressing issues - anyone know how Mitch Pearce got on yesterday?
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
ball bounces the right way You mean if the balls bounce the right way?
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I had forgotten about Sio, looking forward to see him play he has a good ability to find the stripe. Knights are still my pick for the Spoon, but with a season of experience they may be able to pull off a couple of wins against top teams and snag some wins against the midtablers. Should be able to get about 4 or 5 i reckon.