A lot of attention will be on the Newcastle Knights this season, with a new coach ushering in a new era.
I have three backs and three forwards who are set for their breakout year, plus an honourable mention.
Let’s start with the backs.
Kurt Mann
Word is, barring any injury in the Nines or trials, Kurt Mann will take first shot at the number 6 role.
Mann’s got a killer running game, playmaking ability and a brilliant torpedo bomb. Should he stick to this spot (or slot at fullback when Kalyn Ponga is on State of Origin duty), he’s in a for a big year.
Kalyn Ponga
In the last two seasons, I saw many glimpses of Ponga’s brilliance but he did not maintain consistency. A general lack of belief from the team towards the end of the season really gave him some doubts but during the Knights’ six-win streak, he played five and outscored the opposition 88-66.
This is his third year in Newcastle and with much more experience as a player and with the team, he’s going to have a big one.
Kalyn Ponga (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)
Bradman Best
The 18-year-old may’s size and speed will are excellent. With three games under his belt, this will still be considered his rookie season and I’m tipping him to be the team’s leading try-scorer.
One try down and 110 to go.
Now to the forwards.
David Klemmer
The ‘Klemminator’ has brought out the best in fellow props like the Saifiti twins, Herman Ese’ese and Josh King, but this year he will not only lead the pack, he will be a big difference-maker.
David Klemmer of the Knights (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Sione Mata’utia
The only Knight to have played first grade with Wayne Bennett as coach, Mata’utia has been better since his return to the second row.
Sione has played 112 games and has improved each season, so will only get better. I’m tipping him to be the first Knight to play 300 games for the club.
Mitchell Barnett
Big Barnett tends to have a leadership mindset in him and on his best days, can do some serious damage. The backrower can change games for his side.
His lethal running game and ability to offload in most tough circumstances gains big metres and will continue to do so.
Special mention: Connor Watson
Another utility, Watson seemed to have locked down the hooker spot last year but, due to Jayden Brailey’s arrival, he must settle on another role.
Talk is he may play lock forward and I’m all for that. He may not be as big or buff as the usual locks you see today but his running game could be an asset.
Well Roarers, which Knights player is in a for a big season?
Cyril Snodgrass
Guest
the elephant in the room not mentioned in the assessment of Newcastle is of course Mitchell Pearce. he was replaced at the Roosters by Cooper Cronk...and hey presto to back Premierships something that hadn't been done in a quarter of a century while Pearce is an average first-grade player, the evidence suggests that he is not the X factor,as a half to deliver the Knights a premiership. . Pearce has had plenty of opportunities to shine,methinks his light is fading away
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! The Knights need to get their spine firing consistently. Pearce & Ponga have had their moments in the past but have lacked consistency for mine, and the 6 & 9 spots have always let them down in recent years. I think that Brailey is the key to bringing on this Knights team. He reminds me a lot of a young Danny Buderus and he will marshall the Knights pack well with his great dummy half work and back up ability around the rucks. The other key is for Watson ( or Crossland) to nail down the number 6 role to complete what should be a very imposing spine if all goes to plan. As for Kurt Mann & Mason Lino , in my mind, they would be handy back up(or bench) players only for standby use.
Paul
Roar Guru
The bloke you need to have a breakout season is Mitchell Pearce, Adrian. He's had a few good games and a very good half season, but your boys need him to play top class footy for 25 rounds. If he does, the Pongas, Manns, Klemmers, etc will lift and you're a good chance to make the finals. If not, I suspect I'll be reading a piece in September from you titled " The Knights had our chances but we missed out again".
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
As a Dragons fan if Kurt Mann is going to be your starting five eighth may as well book your September holidays. He's very average
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Really hard to pick this early out. My only comment is that Ponga needs to live up to his pay cheque in 2020.
Bezza
Guest
I really admire your loyalty, but I honestly don't have any real expectations for the Knights other than maybe a good start with a new enthusiastic coach. But I fear it won't last long. Klemmer always seems to give his best but he may as well be bashing his head against a brick wall trying to get the rest of the team to follow his example. Ponga may start well, but his game is rather like his interviews, he drifts off to lala land. Don't think there's a lot going on in that head. As for Bradman Best, he's had one game, a very enthusiastic one at that, but it's very early days for him. I'm still not convinced they can make the eight until they get rid of the deadwood. But good luck to you Adrian, your absolute loyalty deserves some reward after all this time.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
For the Knights to challenge for the 8 big years are needed for the newbies who play 6, 9 and 13.Crossland, Brailey and Watson..it would also be exciting to see Shibasaki partnered with Best in the centre. You only get 1 breakout year and Ponga, Klemmer Barnett and Mata utiai have had theirs
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I had a decent look at Kurt Mann when he was at the Saints and I couldn't see much to get fired up about. A bit like Gutherson but not as good. Same as Watson, a bit on the average side. I was surprised at the size of Bradman Beast and I doubt he's stopped filling out, looks like a talent but might be getting too big for the centres soon. Ponga is the top gun by a mile at the club and hopefully will have a big year.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Newcastle and North Queensland are my Smokies for this year.
Big Daddy
Guest
Don't think Klemmer needs to rise. He's at the top of his game. What Newcastle really needs is the other guys to step up, the Safiti's, Tim Glasby, Herman Essese. They can't rely on Ponga and Pierce all the time so the rest of the backline has enormous pressure.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I’m not offended and you have every right to question me. I think I’ve explained.
KenW
Guest
For Ponga & Best, it's not too hard to fathom your selections. They are young talents who are at crucial points of their respective careers. But the others are a bit harder to guess at. Kurt Mann. This guy is now going into his 7th season in first grade squads but he's never been able to lock down a regular position across 3 clubs. He does play with 100% commitment, has decent footwork and can cover many spots but he's never been quite good enough. Why do you think this year will be different? The 3 forwards (+ Watson) are strong players - but again you haven't really given any reasons why 2020 will be breakout years for them. Nothing here intended as a put-down, just wondered if you could extrapolate a bit on why you chose these players?
Insider
Roar Rookie
Oh yeah premiership material