This season for the Newcastle Knights has a lot of excitement, expectation, suspense and intensity (sounds like a Stephen King movie) that us fans can look forward to.
To many fans, they have become a second favourite and some daresay a story of resurgence. I see it as a story of rebellion. The Knights (players and coaching staff) have taken more risks then the Jackass crew and just like said crew, it’s paid off.
They have the team on paper but now it’s time for them to show it in the season. It won’t be easy, it won’t be quick, but for the life of me, by the time it’s all said and done it will be worth it.
The Knights have got their share of players/combinations to keep an eye on.
1. Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson
I placed all three of these players together as they’re essentially the Knights’ key playmakers. Last year, they played just two whole games together as a trio with two wins. Ponga and Watson may have swapped roles, but they have proven themselves in those roles before.
2. Danny Levi
The heat is on for this guy. He’s earned the starting number nine role despite those like Kurt Mann, Zac Woolford, Slade Griffin (when he’s cleared to return) and those like Jamie Buhrer and Mason Lino nipping at his heels. As a dummy half, his role is to be an aided fourth playmaker to team with his halves and fullback to complete the spine.
He’s a strong defender and can combine with his follow spine members well but his unfortunate weak spot is his white line fever in the later tackles of the set inside the ten.
3. David Klemmer
Before playing his first game for the Knights, he’s already the forward pack leader. His role isn’t just to lead the pack, it’s to help them develop. More so those like the Saifiti twins, James Gavet and Josh King.
Not only will be bringing his ruthless style and aggressive charge to the team, but he’ll also bring it out of his fellow props.
4. Tim Glasby and Aidan Guerra
The former Queensland representatives are set to share the lock forward spot. Both men from northern towns of Queensland share similar paths that ultimately lead to them playing for Newcastle. They will both share co-leadership roles for the second towers of the Knights, particularly Sione Mata’utia, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Mitchell Barnett.
5. Sione Mata’utia
The lone Knight for the last five years and former Knights captain will return to the second row after playing last season in the centres. From debuting at fullback against the Roosters with a win, then earning an Australian jersey with less than ten games and captaining Newcastle, he’s got ten games to go to accomplish his 100th first grade appearance, one third of his goal to become an unprecedented 300 game Knight and that’s before his 23rd birthday providing no injuries by Round 10.
His role is to show once more why he’s a second rower to be recognised with to add his impact for the Knights.
6. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
One of the best hole running second rowers of the game and I daresay future Knights captain. Fitzgibbon runs with a fearless strike and it usually tends to pay off. This year’s going to be big for him and I’m tipping him to be the Dally M second-rower of the year.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
An interesting and revealing behind the scenes look into the Knights halves pairing for 2019. Both players are high quality and together they appear to complement each other perfectly. This video is definitely worth a look and gives you a sense of just how hard it will be to contain Kayln Ponga in 2019, especially with Pearce giving him early ball out in front and cutting out the A and B defenders as Ponga skips outside them to receive a long ball from Pearce. Defences are going to need to jam him and cut down his decision time if they can't cut him off from the ball altogether. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/22/ponga-and-pearce-break-down-new-halves-combination/
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Yeah. I don’t think It all mastermind game plans for Bellamy. I think he is a pretty good man manager, builder of confidence that makes him. But smith and that whole spine was a pretty good ‘golden ticket’.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Difficult to dispute that. Just supports my eternal argument that Smith is more the golden goose of Melbourne than Bellamy (quality though he is).
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
It wasn’t Bellamy lacking. It was the pedigree the opposition had.
Albo
Roar Rookie
But they do look strong " on paper " ! With so many new attacking options and a bit of experienced mongrel added to their pack. Hopefully the 'paper" stands up for 25 matches or so.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
True comments BD, but "Coaching at SOO and Australia is a lot easier" ... Bellamy missed that memo...
Big Daddy
Guest
With all these new players coming into the side the real pressure is on the coach. A lot of talented players with lots of experience but at the end of the day it all boils down to Brown. Here's his chance to show if he's got it or not. While he has had some success in the UK he's yet to prove it on home soil. A lot of guys want to be coaches at top level but just don't cut. Barrett is another one who has yet to prove himself. In the past top line players like Fittler have coached at club level and have failed. Coaching at SOO and Australia is a lot easier.
Paul
Roar Guru
"To many fans, they have become a second favourite and some daresay a story of resurgence. I see it as a story of rebellion. The Knights (players and coaching staff) have taken more risks then the Jackass crew and just like said crew, it’s paid off. " Adrian, I know you're red & blue through and through, but your boys have not done any rebelling, nor have they taken ANY risks. They've gone out and bought a heap of players who haven't played a competitive minute together in the NRL competition this year. Give them a few rounds to get to know each other, THEN tell us how good they're going and whether they're going to be a premiership force.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Poached ?..SKD was let go..Guerra was let go..Pearcie,virtually punted,Watson was given the benevolence that most clubs give when a good player is stuck behind better ones..if Luke Keary had remained at Souths he’d still be playing reserve grade..overs maybe,but certainly not to the extent of the Tigers on quite a few of theirs,or what the Bullies forked out for Foran to name one..I bit...
The Barry
Roar Guru
When are the salary cap auditors taking a trip up the freeway...? Not only a star studded team but one they’ve had to continually pay overs for. If you can poach half a team from the Roosters you must be paying decent coin.
Off The Bench
Guest
I hope they perform better than the last trial game against Cronulla where they were deadset ordinary. A number of us were surprised they weren't booed off the field...the same old story of basic fundamental errors but for triple the price! Hey Ho Knights Let's Go!