A lot has been said recently in regards to recruitment at the Newcastle Knights.
The team showed signs of improvement last year, climbing off the bottom of the ladder, and there’s no doubt their roster will be boosted by some new faces.
But the proof, as always, will be in the pudding, which just happens to come in a Roosters or Storm-shaped bowl. How the Knights fare against these two foes will provide a decent indication of how Nathan Brown’s rebuild is progressing.
Melbourne and Sydney have long been the benchmark for the NRL, and Newcastle must aim to emulate their consistency if they’re any chance of being around at the business end of the season.
The Knights have some time to work their combinations, with matches against the Roosters and Storm set for Rounds 11 and 14. But the Novocastrians’ most interesting matchup for 2019 is themselves – well, the 2016 version of themselves.
Round 1, 2016 was Brown’s first game in charge, in a season where his side would register a solitary win.
Let’s take a look at how the two sides line up:
Jaelen Feeney | 1 | Connor Watson |
Chanel Mata’utia | 2 | Edrick Lee |
Dane Gagai | 3 | Jessie Ramien |
Pat Mata’utia | 4 | Tautau Moga |
Akuila Uate | 5 | Shaun Kenny-Dowell |
Jarrod Mullen | 6 | Kalyn Ponga |
Trent Hodkinson | 7 | Mitchell Pearce |
Kade Snowden | 8 | Tim Glasby |
Tyler Randell | 9 | Danny Levi |
Sam Mataora | 10 | David Klemmer* |
Jacob Saifiti | 11 | Aiden Guerra |
Robbie Rochow | 12 | Lachlan Fitzgibbon |
Jeremy Smith | 13 | Herman Ese’ese |
David Bhana | 14 | Mason Lino |
Korbin Sims | 15 | Mitchell Barnett |
Pauli Pauli | 16 | James Gavet |
Daniel Saifiti | 17 | Daniel Saifiti |
Unless you’re a Knights fan, it’s easy to forget just how terrible the 2016 team was – filled with fringe first-graders, former rep players at the end of their careers, and a halfback on one leg. It’s no wonder they performed so poorly.
The interesting thing about this matchup is that only one player, Daniel Saifiti, from Round 1 2016 is likely to get a run in Round 1 2019.
In fact, the only other player that could conceivably make the first 17 next year would be Dane Gagai, and even he would face stiff competition were he still in the red and blue.
On paper at least, the Knights look a far more formidable outfit than three years ago. They’ve got size up front, speed out the back and a few freakishly talented ballplayers calling the shots. In just about every position, Brown has made some serious upgrades.
And they may yet strengthen this squad. Last week, each club submitted their rosters to the NRL, with the Knights registering only the minimum 24 players, the fewest of any club. Since then, they’ve announced the signings of Mason Lino, James Gavet and Hymel Hunt, and the likely inclusion of David Klemmer will leave them with two positions still vacant on their 30-man roster.
However, the improvement in the roster brings with it an increase in expectations. Brown has two wooden spoons and an 11th place at the club, and while each season has shown improvement from the year before, anything less than a top-eight finish in 2019 will be seen as a failure.
So the Knights need to win more games than they lose – a feat only achieved once in the past ten seasons.
while the transformation in the roster over the past three seasons may be the NRL equivalent of turning water into wine, Knights fans will be hoping Brown can complete the Newcastle Knights’ resurrection.
James Andersen
Guest
With Pearce at the helm,the Knights are no chance in 2019 he has had so many chances to shine in big matches....only to go missing in action. Pearce is an average first grader..... Cronk showed in the Grand Final,the difference between a top half bank and the rest
The Barry
Roar Guru
Add Gavet to middle third rotation...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I take some of those published weights with a grain of salt buy yes that’s still relatively slight by NRL standards. I’m sure he’d be a beast standing next to him in the street... But he’s still only 20 years old and has a lot of developing / physical hardening to do.
Knight Vision
Guest
If Lino is in the side the Knights are in trouble. He's a back up half and will be in reserve grade where he belongs
Knight Vision
Guest
Thank goodness ur a fan and not running the club. Brown will be there for a lot longer yet.
Knight Vision
Guest
Ponga is 6 ft 1 an 92 kg. You call that slight ? Slater was slight, Ponga's size and strength are deceptive
Knight Vision
Guest
Lol @ Cogger. Yes Meaney will be missed and could be a good player
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha!
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
I think the more likely scenario is Lino into the halves, with Ponga at Fullback and Watson on the bench. Lino may well spend some time at dummy half, (more than likely off the bench) but he was brought to the club as a half, and I expect that's where he will be most effective.
Paul
Roar Guru
Is Lino an option to play 9, Joel? Just putting it out there. He seems to have a lot of game and it would a waste to see him spending weeks on the bench laying only a few minutes per game.
Paul
Roar Guru
That's why they're only gunna win 3 out of the first 4 at best, TB!
peeeko
Roar Guru
personally i think they have signed too much depth over quality
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
hehehehehe......keep that blue and white flag flying TB!
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
They finished 11th last year, with Pearce and Watson missing half the season. Fully fit, with the addition of Klemmer, Lee, Ramien, Glasby, and Gavet, moving only two or three spots up the ladder seems like an underachievement. They have the potential to finish higher than that.
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
It would seem Nathan Brown would agree with you, judging by the Knights attempt to sign Isaac Luke. That deal only fell through because Luke needed shoulder surgery, which gave the Knights cold feet. Since then they've signed young Zac Woolford. I wouldn't be surprised if one of their remaining roster spots is taken by another hooker.
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
Kevin Walters was a halves coach at the Knights during the Bennett era. It would be interesting to see if he'd be welcomed back. I don't see it working in my opinion.
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
I like the fact that Nathan Brown has signed an open ended contract. It means that he would feel the pressure week to week, and a string of sub-par performances should have him feel nervous. He's done a great job with the rebuild, but there's no trophy for that. He needs to convert the rebuild into tangible success, or there will be pressure from both the fans and club bosses.
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
The other option is Ponga at fullback, Lino in the halves and Watson on the bench. To be honest I expect there to be a few variations. Brown has said where Ponga plays will be up to him. The team sheet above was just my attempt to get the bet 17 players on the park to make comparisons to the 2016 side.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s a tough one Scott. I’m sort of leaning towards top 8 bare minimum and bottom half of the eight only acceptable if they win week one. Spine they have whatever combo of Ponga, Watson, Pearce, Levi they go for with Griffin and Lino as back ups. I see they’ve also signed Zac Woolford. Middle third of potentially Klemmer (hopefully not), Glasby, Ese’ese, Barnett, Saifiti Edge players Fitzgibbon - who could be anything - Guerra, Buehrer, Mata’utia Then back up forwards like J Saifiti, King, Stone. Quite a few of their forwards can play edge or middle as required, which gives them depth and flexibility. 3/4s Ramien, Moga, SKD, Lee, Ross, Hunt and Mata’utia (I know I’ve counted him twice but he can play either). So by my count that gives them 25 first grade standard players. That’s a pretty deep squad. It’s also high quality at the top end. I know they all have to gel and play together and anything can happen injury wise but if ninth is acceptable for that roster, I’m a Dutchman. But at the same time, it still wouldn’t blow my hair back if that’s where they finished.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ooh...bad time of year to meet the Dragons...