If there is one group of people who deserve good news and a sustained period of success, it’s fans of the Newcastle Knights.
With Kalyn Ponga locked up on a new four-year deal, Adam O’Brien working miracles with the same roster who didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of making the top-eight last year, and four wins from their first six games of 2020, Knights fans do finally, at long last, have something to cheer about.
Given the Knights’ standings over the last five years – three wooden spoons and a pair of 11th place finishes – the fact their average home crowd never diminished below 14,457 is astounding.
There has been a long-held line in rugby league circles that a healthy team in Newcastle is good for the sport, and their crowd averages at the lowest ebb will re-enforce that point.
And sure, the same argument could be made about the team they beat on Thursday evening in the Brisbane Broncos, but the problems that club are facing require three articles, a new coach and about 40 years of collective playing experience added to their roster.
The bottom line is that Newcastle are playing a strong, attractive brand of footy right now, and while a premiership may not be in the offering for them at the end of 2020, they are destined to play finals rugby league for the first time since 2013 – when Wayne Bennett was coaching – and build the platform for the club to springboard into a successful future.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
And even if a premiership is unrealistic this year, there is one on the road ahead who have rediscovered their mojo.
Ponga is the key to that becoming a reality, and locking him down for another four years starts that process.
It’s indisputable he has been a far superior player under O’Brien – a lot of Knights have, but more on that soon – and his performance in the win over the hapless Broncos proved it beyond all reasonable doubt.
222 metres off a heavily involved 24 runs, 55 of those kick-return and 53 post-contact, to go with a line break, six tackle-breaks, a couple of offloads and a better than solid night in defence.
He was immense in Thursday’s win, and while the Knights may be paying what is considered top dollar for him, he will only keep improving.
You have to remember before criticising Ponga that he has had huge expectations lumped on him since day dot, and even now, he is still only a 22 year-old whose best years are still ahead of him.
In fact, by the time this deal winds to its end in 2024, fans may well look back and consider the Knights have paid under what Ponga is worth, although, in the current COVID-impacted climate, it’s hard to know exactly what that number looks like.
The Queensland fullback’s services have been wanted by other clubs, rugby union and other countries, but ultimately, the Knights have landed him and will be all the better for it.
Under Nathan Brown, Ponga at times looked disinterested, and while he wasn’t helped by injury, his general output and numbers have been far superior early on this year.
Kalyn Ponga (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
At times, a fullback is only as good as the remainder of his team though. As good as the platform laid down by the forwards, and as good as the ability of his halves to control the game, and for Newcastle, all of those elements have improved out of sight in the early going of the 2020 season.
Again, O’Brien can be attributed to a lot of this. The team look like they are enjoying themselves, playing an entertaining, attractive style of rugby league, and are winning games of footy. It only took 60 seconds of listening to Mitchell Pearce and Ponga talk on Fox Sports post-game to see how comfortable team are.
Pearce himself was wonderful last night, but after the years of struggle, including last year’s enormous underperformance under Nathan Brown, the improvement in players like Kurt Mann, the Saifiti brothers and even Hymel Hunt or Bradman Best, is clear to see.
The Saifiti brothers – particularly David – should be attracting most of the attention when Newcastle’s improvement is mentioned.
He looks not only fitter, up to handling bigger minutes and more workload in the middle third of the field, but cleaner in his skills, organisation and carrying of the footy, while his tackling has gone from strength to strength.
There is no question that, while Brisbane were flat out ordinary in Thursday’s contest, they turned up to hit hard in the middle during the first half an hour.
Some of the shots put on by the returning Tevita Pangai Junior and Payne Haas were bone-rattling, and yet, Saifiti, who was a shock selection for New South Wales last year, didn’t take a single step back. Instead, he upped his game and matched them.
Instead of relying on David Klemmer to lead the charge, he took over, ending the night with 226 metres from just 20 carries.
It’s that sort of confidence and leadership from young players who have been in the Newcastle system for long enough to understand what the team is about which will carry them forward.
Mann is another part of the success story, and confidence is the word which will keep popping up. Most experienced halves wouldn’t put a kick in on Tackle 1 to set up a try, but Mann did exactly that for Hymel Hunt to cross in the 21st minute.
It was a gutsy play, but speaks volumes of the wings O’Brien has given his side. It’s visible in every facet of their play, even if Brisbane aided them with their shocking performance last evening.
They have their star, they have their coach, and they have plenty of building blocks to work around.
While the loss to Melbourne last week will rightly be pointed out as the idea that Newcastle aren’t yet among the best, that’s not the argument being made. 2020 isn’t going to be a premiership year for the Knights, but it’s going to give them the building blocks to chase one in the coming years.
And no club, or their supporters, deserves it more.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
The kid can play! But don’t be expecting premierships. Need a complete team to achieve it
Nunnsy
Guest
There was a about a 6 game period last season were they were the form team in the competition. Then browny lost the playing group . For me i think it was because he made certain remarks about particular players in press conferences, rather than addressing then privately. Anyway i think browny did great at assembling the roster but not sure if he can coach or not.
matth
Roar Guru
Look, you just don't want to go there. It's a pretty depressing thought for the Dragons. Similar to the Eels, how many finals would they have played if the front office wasn't trying to tear the club to shreds every five minutes. But yes, substitute Brown and MacGregor for Bellamy, Bennett, Hasler...
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Scott, funny you say that because toward the end of last year I made the same comment....all they do is pass it to Ponga and hope he wins the game for them. This new coach has got my attention.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Kurt Mann is a real surprise package, agree. Some times right coach right players around you. As for Ponga , like Tedesco has this brilliant step on him and a similar upright running style, the balance and ability to step defending players is a joy to watch. I do not think he is as robust in defence as Teddy but he is certainly getting there in attack
Nat
Roar Rookie
Yep. Should have been 2yrs ago when Hunt left. He had a boom year 2019 yet we are still looking at Dearden beside him.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Just reading those names took me back ten years! :thumbup:
kk
Roar Pro
Thanks to Scott, Albo and souvalis. Appreciate your insight.
Nat
Roar Rookie
:crying:
steveng
Roar Rookie
Fully agree Scott, the Knights at the end of round 6 in 2019 were on 2 points with 1 wins 5 losses (82 for and 118 against) ended up 11th in 2018 at the end of round 6 they were on 6 points with 3 wins 3 losses (98 for 164 against) ended up 11th, thats what the record says lol this year they look much better and will make the 8 for sure and even the top 4, lets see what happens? The Broncs on the other hand, are no benchmark as in 2019 after round 6 the Broncs were on 2 points 1 win 5 losses and 107 for and 141 against and just made the 8 (25 points) by 1 point and in 2018 (end of round 6) were on 6 points 3 wins and 3 losses with 96 for and 120 against and were 6th (32 points) at the end of the season,when WayneB coached them and not "wink, wink>nudge, nudge" coached them lol
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yes, very good point, I stand corrected. As much as it pains me to constantly admit, there is obviously much good in the chooks system.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah I didn't really research that and I should have. I remember the Knights giving it to the Roosters at about this time. What I do remember is that Pongas performance dropped off markedly late in the season.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would rather Sam Scarlet. It tore it up last year for Wynnum and the QLD residents team. Broncs need to go out and sign Keary or Munster, Jesse Bromich and a decent centre or two, proverbially ones who know how to win.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! What I have noticed since the NRL re-start has been that Ponga who was previously mostly a left side attacker, is now spending most of his time on the right side. I assume this is under coaching instruction, with more responsibility now allotted to Mann to run the left side attack. Not sure if this is a permanent focus or just designed for the recent oppositions they have been playing ? It would not be unusual to plan your best stepper to attack Milf & Darius . But this can only assist develop both Knights player's games. Right now , whether it is just winning confidence or coaching ability, the Knights are travelling very well , and without trying to do anything "outrageous" that leads to errors. I have not seen the Safiti boys play this well, nor Sione Mata Utia who has gone to another level, and Klemmer has obviously been licensed to offload at will.. They do have simple game plan based on control via their big pack of forwards, with Pearce, Mann & Ponga now threatening from both sides of the ruck. Injuries & consistency will determine how the final outcome will look.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I don't want to make light of Boyds mental issues he's had at all but I fear there is something phycological going on. I agree, he seems like he wants to try but subconsciously avoids contact and that fear of missing has him rushing out and leaving those inside and out in the lurch. He used to have exceptional decision making and field talk but I see none of that anymore. I am a Dearden fan but I think this team has a long way to go to bring forth Deardens game. He would be a roo in the headlights behind this pack the way they are playing and that's unfair.
Muzz
Guest
They're a entertaining team to watch. MJ Stadium should be packed to the rafters when it all goes back to normal. Hopefully they kick on this time and make the finals.
Nat
Roar Rookie
TBH I think O'Sullivan is far ahead of Dearden at the moment. He's been in the ISP for a few years now. Last yr at Norths, he won 9/13 he played. 10ta, 6 tries & +100rm (ave) and trains the house down. These stats are supportive but I like how he handles the players around him. Right now, I think he's just a little further down the track than Dearden. There's a lot of teams out there who'd like a Finucane in the squad, as we would. We need a hard head who will blast the young blokes when things get out of hand like the last few weeks. A 'come with me you f.....' type forward but 'old head - young shoulders' and all that.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Hes a very exciting player Aldo, no doubt. At the moment hes giving his opponent too much room in defence close to his line. Last week Vunivalu carried him over and last night he allowed Herbie to get outside him and get an arm free to fortunately see the ball roll forward..sure,hes only 18 but a lot of his opponents arent that much NRL older. I think coach Obrien will have Ponga run on sides in accordance with who they play..last week it was left, last night it was right.
Albo
Roar Rookie
He's ready now Scott. Just get him some ball. He is a strong defender, a strong runner of the ball and has great hands. Edrick Lee has already benefited there a couple of times. Mann needs to use him more, not turn back inside everytime.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m a little cautious. Last year they had that mid season spell where they were probably the form team of the comp. They demolished the Roosters in about Round 11 or 12 and I thought they’d be genuine premiership contenders O’Brien’s got them firing but consistency is the next key It’s really hard to describe their game plan. It’s really simple, structured, intense and disciplined to a point but then when they’re right on the attack they play this ad hoc, probing style, where Ponga can show up anywhere. Great to watch