The Knights in 2019 were in the top four for some time.
Towards the back end of the year they lost multiple games in a row which ended up in them missing the eight and Nathan Brown being sacked as coach.
The Knights used four different five-eighths in 2019 with Kalyn Ponga starting the season at five-eighth but ended up moving back to fullback.
Kurt Mann is not a pivot but played some games wearing the six and Mason Lino played multiple games there, but I think Connor Watson was the best at six out of the lot.
Watson is not a five-eighth but he is a utility to replace Jayden Brailey in the last 20 minutes.
The Knights’ main problem in 2019 was their creativity but they may have solved that in 2020 which will make them a lot better.
They have two players in mind to play five-eighth in the form of Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland but I feel that Hoy has a better chance of partnering Pearce in 2020.
Phoenix Crossland showed a bit of ability in the halves but it’s hard to go pass Tex Hoy after his very dominant Nines series in Perth.
The Knights are full of Origin and international stars and I expect them to really challenge for those top four spots.
Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga will be the standout players for the Knights and expect Pearce to be up there in the Dally M points in the first opening rounds.
Pearce lead the comp in Dally M points in the first 12 rounds and was on track to win the award but the back half of the season hurt him and ultimately the Knights’ finals dreams in 2019.
Ponga will be big this season if he wants to play at fullback for the Maroons because he could be in a fight for that jersey, particularly with Cowboys fullback Valentine Holmes also gunning for the spot.
Ponga, Hoy, Brailey and Watson scored in their 58-0 win in the Knights trial match against a very poor Roosters side but it’s still good to see that the Knights key players score. Fans should be excited for the 2020 season.
Nat
Roar Guru
I haven't got them in my Top 8 but there won't be much between those middle group of teams on the table. Two spine players are either rookies or make-shift. Same with centers, Best, seems like quality but he's playing against quality now - good luck to him. The new coach certainly has pedigree so if he can bring a bit of that Storm/Chooks excecution, who knows.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
100% agree. Knights supporters have a tendency to focus on the halves setup in the post-Johns era, rather than look to where their big issue is - defense. Perhaps thats why they've been so soft on them, from what I have seen on social media. If my team was conceding the way they do, I would be livid.
Paul
Roar Guru
assuming you're right Anton, that says little for the professionalism of guys who are on serious 6 figures. There was still enough of the season left when Brown was sacked for players to really show fans what they were capable of. Perhaps they did!
The Barry
Roar Guru
“The Knights in 2019 were in the top four for some time.“ They were in the top four for two rounds and for one of those they had the bye and they dropped out immediately afterwards The Knights’ leaky defence was a far bigger problem in 2019 than who was wearing the 6 - only the Titans, Dragons and Warriors were worse I’m sure that will be a bigger concern for the new coach. They conceded 20+ five times, 30+ three times, 40+ twice, 50+ once Good luck for the season...
Anton Taylor
Roar Guru
Also I think when they sacked Brown that the Knights didn’t really bother with the rest of the season but that’s my opinion
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Anton, I think they've made life hard for themselves by playing the roundabout with coaches during the small window they have to make something of, what is, a very talented squad. I know Brown wasn't a great option but this new bloke will take a season to get things done his way and that assumes he's successful. I'm guessing they've got at best 3 seasons to really shine and they badly need to click this year, to be a show of winning a premiership, while they have the Pearce's, Ponga's, Klemmers, etc in form, fit and capable of going all the way.
Anton Taylor
Roar Guru
Hey Paul, look I completely agree with you, they lost form and didn’t have a FullTime 5/8. On paper they looked like a top 8 side if not a top 4 side and now they now have a player who is made for 5/8 in Tex Hoy and can partner Pearce in the halves.
Paul
Roar Guru
Fans were excited for the Knights 2019 season when they had a very strong roster on paper. How did that go?