After all the speculation, Mitchell Pearce will not be the Newcastle Knights skipper come the 2021 season. This is his decision and I’m glad it was on his terms. He was a very good captain for us in his first three years with the Knights.
I stand by saying he was the right choice at the time, but now, he should relinquish the role to one of the younger Knights. As halfback, Mitchell Pearce is already the on-field general. It’s no secret generals gather in their masses, they lead the soldiers and they makes the orders.
Blake Green has been the leading tip to be skipper, but I can’t see it. Here are three candidates who could take the role.
Daniel Saifiti
The towering prop has been the forward pack leader for the Newcastle Knights, especially in the 2020 season, his teamwork with David Klemmer was very effective. His on-field leadership has also been very evident – whenever he has the ball, he doesn’t just aim to run; he aims to tear through the defence and that’s the attitude that proves his value.
David Klemmer
Klemmer has been very effective ever since his transition from Canterbury to Newcastle. The drive he brings every time he’s on tends to pave the way for the backs to do their work. In the Knights’ six-match winning streak in 2019, he was among the best of the team.
Mitchell Barnett
Mitchell Barnett has got a very decent combination of power, speed, aggression and mongrel needed for a Knights player. A stand-out forward who knows how to bring the aggression to the field, not just for himself, but also his teammates. The leadership he shows is second to none and my pick for who should be our next skipper.
After another off-field indiscretion, Mitchell Pearce is no longer the Knights’ captain (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
When it comes down to Mitchell Pearce, I began questioning his captaincy after Newcastle got thrashed in the finals against South Sydney. He’s been brilliant for us as a halfback and captain, but he needed to step down as skipper and it could be best for both him and whoever will receive the honour.
He will always be known as the key element for our team in the final stages of the rebuild in 2018. I really do hope he finishes his career in Newcastle. Being a Knight has been brilliant for him and he’s shown the same brilliance right back to the fans. He deserves to be well-known as a player, not an off-field bad boy.
Roarers, I’ve said my bit and now it’s your turn.
Was it the right decision for Mitchell Pearce to relinquish the captaincy?
Who should take the honours now?
Steve
Guest
Daniel Saifiti gets my pick, Origin player and craves success. If he is off the field then Tyson or Barnett will do. All three guys are the type of leaders we need.
B
Guest
He's been in the Kangaroos squad since 2014 and starting prop from 2017. He's definitely one of the top props in the game and has been for a few years now.
Big Daddy
Guest
:thumbup: :happy:
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
“He’s growing and learning”. What has he learnt between “the dog” & “texting” incidents?
Cameron Warner
Roar Rookie
There are some good front rowers out there but few as consistent as Klem
mushi
Roar Guru
Top 3 for the past five years is a big claim
mushi
Roar Guru
Then in the era of sports professionalism... they are screwed.
Cameron Warner
Roar Rookie
I think Klem, has been a top 3 front rower for over five years now. That doesn't happen without professionalism and good habits. Might get a bit heated at times but he's a team man and I think he can cool it when it's in the teams interests.
Tony
Roar Guru
He could add some speed to the team at least
Tony
Roar Guru
What about the guys on the bench?
Plastered Plasterer
Guest
13 captains , that’ll stop the confusion.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
For the Knights, the captain has to be a local - born and bred in the area. You can’t “buy” a captain from outside. It’s just that sorta region.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Good dialogue DP. Look forward to watching the Dragons going around next season and hope you can get into the finals.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
For NRL’s, Knights’ and Pearce’s sake I hope this issue gets sorted. I feel for Mitchell, he has always had so much pressure on him (probably since birth) and may not be able to cope with all the pressure, on field he tends to crack under pressure and perhaps this manifests in certain off-field behaviour. His father, Wayne is exemplary, a true gentlemen and legend of the game, the family is a good family, let’s hope Mitchell keeps it together.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You're squabbled out, no problem - will answer and not invite continuance. The lack of a clear alternative indicates a problem in the club.’ - A misunderstanding between us, 'Problem in the club' doesn't mean poor club off-field behaviour relating to the club, it was supposed to mean that there is a lack of players who stand out as leader/captains. In building around Pearce the club has obviously seen him as the long term leader (right or wrong) and not developed/acquired guys who are standout captaincy material - they obviously didn't think they needed that. That is the problem, lack of standout alternatives - not behaviour. Peace
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The one thing Mitchell Pearce needs to do is play his best footy if the team plays in the finals. He's been dynamite at times during the regular season but I can't recall him ever dominating in a finals match. I could be wrong.
Tony
Roar Guru
And someone who will tear you a new one when required. Like Paul Harrogan.
Paul
Roar Guru
who leads the team if Klemmer is the captain and he's interchanged? Is the same leader the person who does all the off-field activities as well as leading the side on the field? In an ideal world, that person would be the same eg Cameron Smith, but if the Knights don't have someone who can lead the team on AND off the field, they'd be foolish to try and force someone to do both roles.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Hi John. Ponga has been around a while now, this will be his 5th season and he’s a walk-up start into the Qld team. Aside from Pearce, all the other positions are rotating players so he needs to take a leadership role. He is their marquee man on the big bucks after all. Don’t know about youngest captain. I had a feeling Carrigan was close from last season but he was current youngest at 22yo. Hghly likely one younger than that.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
My title headline doesn’t say ‘Newcastle Knights ‘ It says ‘Who should succeed Mitchell Pearce as Knights captain ?’ Your answer first post line 1: ‘The lack of a clear alternative indicates a problem in the club.’(singular nouns) What the ..? This is the answer ? ‘There is no suggestion the club had any off field issues.’ What then is the ‘problem’ you refer to in the club that wasn’t addressed in your 2nd post call for dual captains ? Clearly, from this ‘content and message’ you’ve done some singling out..and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that…as long as your own house is in order. Done, I’m all squabbled out.