After a season with so much promise and a thirst to finally end the club’s finals drought, the Newcastle Knights couldn’t get the job done.
A devastating 54-10 thrashing to the Penrith Panthers wasn’t the way we wanted our players to finish the season. I’d rather they lose but take it down to the wire instead of getting hammered.
As a fan in attendance, I was disgusted in what was displayed.
After Penrith scored their fifth try, the Knights simply just gave up.
Some away losses, they got slaughtered. They just didn’t have the endurance. It’s like trying to run a ten-kilometre race but knowing you can only run eight.
For the eight kilometres you’re either in the lead or level, then you drop because you don’t have the endurance.
This is rather like Newcastle in the games they got hammered – a severe lack of endurance in which they submitted.
However, there are some stats we have improved in.
In 2019, Newcastle scored 485 points compared to 414 in 2018 – a differential of 71. That includes 79 tries compared to 73 – an improvement of six.
In defence, the Knights only conceded 522 points compared to 607 last season – 85 fewer – while letting in ten less tries, 99 in 2018 and 89 in 2019.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
I’m very disappointed with this season. I’m happy we have made some improvements but there were times when it mattered, and we just didn’t finish off the job.
We had the team on paper to make the top eight, we just lacked the hunger and mentality at times.
Yes we didn’t make the eight, but with a new coach next year, I’ll be just as frustrated if we don’t make the eight in 2020.
Having a team on paper and having a team on the field are two different things. We won six games in a row and looked set to make the finals, then we lost our mojo.
The team that got thrashed against the Panthers to finish off the season looked far different to the team that won six in a row. I don’t know what happened to that team, but as much as I love my Knights, this is not acceptable.
Next year, I want the Newcastle Knights to show they’re more than just a team on paper. I want them to show they’re ready to prove they’ll break into the finals and show that they have what it takes to be competitive.
Most importantly, I want them to play for their fans.
I think they got overconfident thinking they’d get there, and sadly, it didn’t work out. Overconfidence is never a good attitude to have.
From this Newcastle Knights fan and from many others, this season was a failure. We still love our team but we are disappointed.
Wests may own the Knights, but Andrew Johns said it himself: us fans own the club.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Thank you sir. Pretty great question. With Brailey on board, I kinda feel for Watson as he owned the number 9. However, he does have a good running game in the halves. Kurt Mann should be dropped to reserves. Mason Lino is a top goal kicker but a turnstile in defence.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
I love optimism, and if anyone needs it the Knights fans do (maybe Dragons and Titans too). Honestly, with the team you had this season I don't think you have improved. Backwards a little, but nothing too dire. I don't know what the Knights do to fix things, it's been a tough decade for the red and blue that is for certain.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Well written Adrian - you've searched for some positives but there's not been a lot. You know their roster better than most - do you see some more recruiting happening? What do they need on their roster and who do they need to move on?
Albo
Roar Rookie
He is only young and loaded with talent. But it is rather worrying how poor his form has been at the end of the past two seasons now. Of most concern, is an apparent lack of interest about being involved in the play, or even being on the field at times ? He can dominate the first half of the game and then not touch the ball after halftime ? And his commitment to defence in recent weeks has been awful ? Out of that Panthers v Knights match , we can only hope the Panthers remember the match to take into next year, whilst we hope the Knights forget it quickly before next season.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Was 3 quarters full when they won 7 in a row, but then they inexplicably dropped the glass smashed it on the ground then blamed the coach. Pathetic really!
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Thats what they said last year
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
What stats DON'T show is the Knights pathetic attitude and how poorly the club is run at the moment. Case and point, their results over the past month. Stats also dont change the fact this diabolical, shambles, embarrassment of a club should have played finals this year. No excuses should be accepted or tolerated.
Randy
Roar Rookie
I think their roster has been overrated by many this year. They were always going to finish 6th-7th at best and things had to go there way for that to happen. They still should have finished the season better than they did. They lost some really important games after Origin that they really should have won. I think it was Warriors, Bulldogs and Tigers all at home? They don’t have much happening around the edges though. Barnett is solid but they need good creative second rower and a strike centre. They can have Leilua back if they want lol.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Next year Knights? Well sir you may be bagging my team but that’s funny.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Look at the players the Knights have recruited. Pearce, Kenny Dowell, Guerra, Watson, Ese Ese. Would their former clubs want them back? Don't think it was a coaching problem. Never mind whether the glass is half full or half empty. The strawberry milkshake was drained. Too much player power. The inmates took over the asylum & recent results were a reflection of that.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It all looked so promising for a while but ended with Cleary of all players tearing the Knights defence apart. I had Ponga as the best player in the comp at the start of the season and while he isn't at the moment he will be the player to build a club around if he stays in town. Maybe it's too much of a burden.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Similar story to last year for Ponga Close to best player in the game for the first half of the season but a non factor after origin. Not sure if it's physical or mental fatigue but he will need to fix it if he wants to get paid.
John
Guest
They should re-brand to Next Year Knights. I think I've been hearing next year this and next year that for quite some time now.
a
Roar Rookie
Next year they will make the finals
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Don’t apologise. I don’t agree with your opinion but I still respect it. I’m not offended.
Bill Blake
Guest
Agree, but I would say about a quarter full, not that good enough to be half...
Bill Blake
Guest
Just imagine how Craig Bellamy would have reacted to some of those dismal performances. After the Wests loss (and the season was over) I would have replaced the entire team for the Titans game. There is no pride in the jersey regardless of what the players have said and or are saying. With 30 to go against the Panthers they conceded a point a minute, how can you go into the off season with a performance like that!!! - They only had to hang in for 30 minutes against (another) under performing Team....
Jennzex
Guest
I’m sorry to say Adrian, but on this occasion, the glass is actually half empty.
TJ
Guest
The culture up there seems rotten at the moment. O'Brien has a tough job on his hands. Ponga isn't even worth the 600k he is on at the moment let alone 1.5 million. He was channeling his inner Darius with some of his defensive efforts yesterday.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
In 2018 the Knights ran 11th with a 9-15 record. In 2019 they ran 11th with a 10-14 record. So they improved, but only marginally. When you consider that last year the Knights big weakness was lack of middle size, and they bought in arguably the best prop in the comp in Klemmer, I think this season isn't actually an improvement. They went backwards. The run of 6 wins showed what they are capable of, and then they never showed it again. I would be seething if I was a Knights supporter. The team showed in the last 10 weeks a complete lack of heart. Damning.