Newcastle needs a lot of things to come together if they’re to finally end their finals drought once and for all.
Phil Gardner has said that the Knights can make the eight this year. In all honesty, we could have done so last year but we choked big time.
So here are seven things the Newcastle Knights need go finally break that drought.
1. A winning attitude
Last year we had the whole wait-and-see attitude, and that attitude gets you nowhere. It’s a passive mindset, and being passive hardly ever works. Having a winning and determined attitude really can push you far.
(Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
2. Ignore the media
Why do I say this? You have all the naysayers and negative critics having their say to put them down. The players do find out about who thinks they’re overrated and should be dropped. The pressure seems to get to most of them.
3. Simply don’t care
This is more so an adaption from the previous point. No matter what they achieve on the field, they’ll be judged anyway. Even if, let’s say, the Knights win their first five games next year, they’ll have those who say negative crap about them. The best response is to not care what the others say.
4. Consistency
The spine is the most important part of a team. They’re the main characters among the troops. The halfback is the general, the five-eighth is the admiral, the fullback is the sergeant and the hooker is the corporal. Newcastle had ten different spines last year, which means the army roles were changing. When that happens it really makes things difficult.
5. Talk is cheap
Instead of talking about what they can deliver, they should actually do it. There was a lot of experts and fans saying we could make the eight last year. They were wrong and, well, so was I. I’ve admitted it enough times.
6. No more excuses
Adam O’Brien said it himself. This isn’t a rebuilding stage. He had come from one of the best-run football clubs in Australia with Melbourne and Sydney. He’s got more than a wealth of knowledge, which he can use to deliver for the Newcastle Knights. I even believed that last year wasn’t a rebuilding stage; it was more so to set the platform. I said before and will do so again. No more excuses, no more rebuilding.
7. Back our team
Last year there was so much online bashing of our players that a lot of other Knights were pretty pissed off. Think of why you’re a Knights supporter. Some may say it’s their local team and others may say it’s because of the players. I’m from Penrith and Andrew Johns was my favourite footballer – and he still is now. Win, lose or draw, our team need us now, just as they did during the rebuilding stage, which is now over. Why? Because they play for us.
Now, Roarers, I’ve had my say. What points would you like to add or subtract?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Manly had to completely rebuild their roster from 2015. DCE ( who was unwanted when Manly signed him in 13 ) was gone until Bozo stepped in. Looking at Manly flog the all star Sharks in the finals without Turbo, Tapau and others , it looks a the moment that the rebuild was a pretty decent effort compared to many of their rivals. 2020 will see if the players are as good as they appear to be. Manly's much maligned juniors been involved in more success than most clubs with strong juniors. Another Hopoate is on the way as well.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Manly 'always' had the two Turbo's and Cherry Evans, and they more recently recruited Tapau and Walker (Rep player at that time), so in my mind they have always had a strong roster. Newcastle didn't have that a few years back when they won three spoons. But to your point on depth, I'd argue the Knights do have a more well rounded roster than Manly outside of the top five players in each club - at least in their top 17. Knights do have a few Pacific Island reps but i do get and agree with your point. I guess that is where the skills of the coach and especially Hasler are so good - they get the second tier players playing overs. Which in turn gets them noticed.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
They did and they didn't. Compare the Knights rebuild with Manly's. Manly didn't recruit any players as good as Ponga , Pearce or Klemmer but they appear to have a stronger outfit in a shorter period. It's the players the Knights have recruited apart from the big three that are the problem . It's not terminal but they'll need to get a few unknowns get the attention of the rep selectors in the next few years if they are going to win a comp.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
If I can be so bold, I would argue that the organisation needs to lose this perennial underdog attitude that pervades the perception them and of the town. It isn't a poor steel working town anymore. It is the second biggest city in the state and sits at the head of the mighty Hunter Region. And they are no longer a poor cousin team. They have wealthy ownership. Similarly the fans need to drop some of their 'ownership' and let them be a team of footballers. Yes it has a strong and loyal fan base, but if the players have to 'do it for their fans' one more time I will puke. How about do it for the team, do it to be the best you can be. Do it because you're a professional. Do it because you hate the other bloke. Then, if they do that, the fans will respect them regardless. The problem of course is as soon as a player or official comes out and says something like this they are smashed by media and some fans for not toeing the standard line of self deprecation. I am a fan, but there seems to be this consistent tone of 'doing our best' or doing it for others', which are all noble traits to be sure, but it seems to lack the bite of a team of hard men whose job it is to conquer all before them. (None of which i might add means the individual players are not being a good person or members of a community - which they seem to be.) Go Knights.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Having an Admiral in their Army probably doesn't help them.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
I generally agree, but what does 'local' even mean anymore? All clubs bring teenage kids in from all over the place - is that localisation? How many do they have compared to other clubs? Probably more than the Roosters and Storm. Question being, why are these clubs so successful without a strong local base when 'in theory' the salary cap is the same. I'm theorising here, but it might have a lot to do with what clubs pay young development players outside the cap to get them into their system. On this front, Newcastle have historically not been able to do this and have lost a lot of good players to other clubs - hence weakening their junior / local base. I would like to think that with the financial clout of Wests beginning to kick in that this will be less of an issue. the retention of Bradman Best being a good indicator. Also - Ben Kennedy was their best import. Unlikely we win in 2001 without him.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Wear it proud son.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Hard to disagree.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
So they did or did not recruit well?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I agree.. they need to stop being a part of the Roosters superannuation programme. Local boys own the legacy of that team
Succhi
Roar Rookie
For me Adrian, not being a Knights supporter, but I think they seem to do better when they have a strong local junior content in first grade. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think they have had to go outside the region to sign big names in the past? The recent signings of Ponga, Pearce and Klemmer on big coin was a big move, but perhaps a necessary one? I think they will go a lot better this year. I think last year they played Ponga at 5/8 and were a bit stubborn in moving him back to fullback when it was pretty obvious he was struggling. Good luck in 2020 Adrian.
kerry edwards
Guest
well said adrian megale i am a true and passionate supporter of newcastle knights i have been to every game and enjoyed every moment all these know it alls just want the spot light on them they are shit stirrers with nothing better to do i wear my new jersey proudly and get called a whimp by following a losing team i do not care about anything
Randy
Roar Rookie
I think the media go a bit too soft on the Knights to be honest, which hasn't helped them over the years. Coach Brown seemed untouchable for a while there. Good to see the Knights board take a step in the right direction and move him on though. The club clearly had a goal to make finals in 2019 and they failed. Someone had to take the fall.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Last year was a golden chance for clubs like the Knights and all the others in a title ''drought'' to win a title and the next year it two could be similar. It was never the two horse race that was depicted but teams like the Tigers, Knights, Pennies, Titans and others couldn't capitalise , or even go close , due to several factors but ultimately recruitment is what it boils down to. They've all had a long time to recruit and develop some young players as the big guns like Cronk, Smith and Thurston retire and age but it seems they haven't done a great job. The Knights seemed to have recruited well but maybe they didn't apart from the big guns like the big K, Pearce and Ponga. It's who is lurking about in the lower grades who will determine how close these clubs go to challenging for a title.