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
tim
Guest
Poor Lillian...
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think they'll win more games than last year which means they're still improving but I still have them as a bottom 5 side. I think Pearce realized the gap between the Knights and the top teams when they played the Eels last weekend. They were doing their level best and played very well but it just wan't good enough especially when Parra put the foot down in the 2nd half.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You can’t touch the phone. Bye bye phone for Lillian!
The Barry
Roar Guru
LILLIAN!!! This is my house!
Albo
Guest
Like you souvalis, I would be surprised if Fitzgibbon isn't one of their 80 minute backrowers. I actually think they have a really well balanced pack that will go well if Pearce manages the game as expected. Whilst some are still young there is plenty of experience recently added to bring them all along quickly. I would start off with their best pack from last year and add the new buys via the interchange : Daniel Safiti , Danny Levi, Josh King, Jamie Buhrer, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitch Barnett with Bench - Guerra, Heighington , Ese Ese, Lilyman or Griffin. In the backline I would run with all the new buys plus the addition of Sione Mata Utai as one centre & Nathan Ross one winger : Pearce , Watson, Moga , Sione Mata Utai , Kenny-Dowell, Ross & Ponga. No spot for Brock Lamb in my first choice Knights backline, though some thought may be given to starting Lamb at 6 and using Watson off the bench to cover a dummy half option ? I expect the Knights to be vying for spot in the bottom of the 8.
Nat
Roar Guru
By rights they should put in a much better showing than the last few years and have the measure of Tigers/Warriors. On their day they might get over few quality teams, especially if playing at home as they were competitive and spirited last season and this is a better team on paper - whatever that means. 11th place finish may exceed expectations this year being above Souths and Dogs but next year could very well be 11th - 7th finish.
souvalis
Guest
Like any club,all you want from your club is a good performance and the rest will take care of itself.. Fall off my chair if Fitzgerald isnt in the 17 and I can eventually see Slade G. being replaced by Danny L.as the starter with Connor W. switching from 5/8 to give him a rest and Brock Lamb coming off the bench..similar to what Cleary is doing with Grub and Benji... Probably start off poor and hopefully swoop late..
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder what the Knights board and fans expect from their side this year and whether they'll be satisfied with an 1tth place finish? The weight of expectation is on both Pearce and Brown. In Brown's case, there can't be any more excuses about rosters, unwanted players, etc. He has a side that he's chosen so hopefully they'll go at least well enough so he keeps his job. Pearce needs to show the doubters he is a half back of the next level, not just a bloke who can win games because he played for a strong Club.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Round one will be very interesting against the Eagles up in Newcastle. Pearce has played behind a largely dominant pack for most of his career but now he has a mid range pack at best. He looked fairly dismayed after the weekends trial match. The weight of expectation is pretty high on Pearce and some others yet on the other hand Manly are expected to be a bit pedestrian this year by many with the spoon mentioned in dispatches. I didn't think it would be that easy to slip under the radar again.