After a tight edge-of-your-seat thriller, the Newcastle Knights in consecutive years are eliminated in the opening week of the finals.
After the Eels stole the lead at halftime 16-10, they struck right away in the second half to take it to 22-10, only for Newcastle to strike back with Enari Tuala’s second half double to make it 22-20. Parramatta’s controversial penalty try sealed their fate to win 28-20.
Before I go on any further, I have a statistic to share. Enari Tuala is the first ever Newcastle Knights player to score a hat-trick in a finals match.
Overall, I am proud of my team and unlike last year, this year they truly fought to get back in the game but it just wasn’t meant to be. Well done, Parramatta.
The Knights are nowhere near that team that won three wooden spoons in a row or that team who five years ago only managed to win just one game. We have come really far and as I mentioned before, the rebuilding is done.
When it comes down to the winning culture, that is slowly returning and the key word is slowly. We are on the rise and indeed the tide has turned for us. To quote the legendary Bob Dylan, the times, they are a-changing.
If there’s any ‘rebuilding’ that needs to be done, it would be to make the winning culture we once had into a trademark like we had in our glory years. Clubs like Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters have got that and the Penrith Panthers have now staked their claim to it.
Can Adam O’Brien lead Newcastle to new heights in 2022? (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
For a team with a lot of injury disruptions, we really did a magnificent job. Considering we were without our first choice five-eighth (Blake Green) and fullback (Kalyn Ponga) in the opening rounds of the season, we still did well; and let’s not forget the injuries Mitchell Pearce suffered seeing him miss half the season.
The mid-season acquisition of Jake Clifford was a difference maker.
After playing 25 games – 24 regular season matches and our finals encounter – now the boys can rest up and when the pre-season strikes, they’ll be ready to roll and prepare for next season.
Our first choice spine for next season will be:
Kalyn Ponga – fullback
Jake Clifford – five-eighth
Mitchell Pearce – halfback
Jayden Brailey – hooker
A well-trained pre-season together will see them work on their combinations and deliver the damage we know they can.
As for the rest of this season, I’m calling for Melbourne to claim back-to-back premierships and Ryan Papenhuyzen to claim back-to-back Clive Churchill Medals.
For us Knights fans, we are all disappointed and some may even be a bit pissed off. Let’s be proud of our team for making the finals in consecutive years and this season could be the stepping stone towards a brighter future for our team.
Adam O’Brien has been a brilliant coach for us thus far and is proving to most of us he is the coach we need.
To the players, we understand how much it hurts but you guys played your guts out and even though you didn’t win, you still made the eight.
Now to all Knights fans and staff, enjoy the off-season and I shall see you at Marathon next year.
Paul
Roar Guru
You comment about Gagai makes a heap of sense. I think Best has been built up, mostly because of his age and the skills he shown, but also because I think he's seen as a player the Knights can build around as they come out of some very dark seasons. I agree he's a good centre, but has a fair way to go to earn the term "great"
dogs
Guest
I don't really get the hype around Best. Not saying he's crap or anything, just don't get why media and roar posters like to single him out for praise. Maybe I've not watched the games where he does something special. But for me he's a solid centre, deserves his spot in the top grade, but not doing anything that most centres aren't. As far as a mentor goes, isn't Gaigai back at the knights next year? If so really fits the bill.
Nat
Roar Guru
I wonder what Gidley is up to these days?
Phil
Roar Rookie
The Knights have problems at fullback and halfback, the two most importand positions in a team nowadays. Ponga, as good as he is in attack is a liability in defence. He can't read the opposition attack, being wrongfooted too often. I've had another look at the game and it's like he makes a half-hearted attempt to have a go at Blake when he scored for an instance. As for Pearce, the sooner a Sydney club offers him a multi-year contract and he is released, the better for he and the club. He's OK for a game against the lowly teams but never did have it for big games. Apart from that, a first grade standard coach would help as well.
matth
Roar Guru
I agree I'd rather see a team challenging for the title, but realistically that's only 4 teams a year. the other 12 have to have something to hang their hat on. I'd rather be where the Knights are now than where they were a few years back.
Paul
Roar Guru
Is it enough that teams make the finals but aren't really competitive Matt? I seem to recall a few years ago, quite a few comments from Broncos supporters complaining about their team making the finals for a lot of seasons but not really being a genuine chance for too many of those appearances. It's kinda the same with some Parra supporters in recent years, too. Me, I'll be chuffed when my Dragons make the 8.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't think there's any doubt Best needs to work on some skills, mostly what you've mentioned. I think he's getting shown up in defence because he's still young and relying on his size, strength and speed to make up for things like positional deficiencies. I wonder who would be best placed to help him with that? I'd like to see him being mentored by a centre who knows the position inside out. Josh Morris has time on his hands now. :happy:
matth
Roar Guru
To Nat almost everyone looks 18 :silly:
matth
Roar Guru
Well said. It was a good effort form the Knights to come through this year with their halfback out of action for so long. I'm not sure that this team has the chops to win a title, but they could be comfortably in the finals for a few years.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Dave Fothergill
Guest
Well said mate, the coach is clueless and the attack an embarrassment!
Dave Fothergill
Guest
Omg! Quite possibly the worst article I’ve ever read. The Knights apart from a majority of the forwards have been embarrassing. Our right side defence is the worst in the competition. Our attack is beyond clueless and predictable is an understatement. AOB is nowhere near a first grade coach. Our retention is embarrassing and to pay Mann 400k defies belief, he’s not even a first grade local team player. Gone back yet again and things will never change!
PGNEWC
Roar Rookie
Aren't they trying to move Pearce on to the Tiges and hasn't Klemer said he wants out?
Nat
Roar Guru
I think Clifford would get better again as the senior hald with Clune. A lot of talk about the drop kick but not much of the 7tackle set Pearce gave away that got them into that position.
Nat
Roar Guru
Do you think Best had improved toward season's end? He's a strong runner, nice flick when they come off but needs to work on the draw and pass. Tends to get lost in D. He's been getting done by rookies: Penisini yesterday, Cobbo the week before and 8 missed tackles against the Titans.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I have been 18 for almost 9 years sir.
Nat
Roar Guru
Belittling an 18yo for showing some team pride. All class as usual.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I thought Parra were prime for the taking yesterday. There was a brief moment or 2 when a couple of their forwards momentarily fired up but the Knights pack, even with the entire starting pack rested the week before, were just too busted up. Tyson had the venom knocked out of him early, Klemm was seriously rib affected from last week and was easy meat and D Saf. ordinarily probably wouldn’t have played either. Brailey was terrific. It became soft in the center and any Top 4 side would have exploited that with more than a penalty try difference. Mitch Barnett should be 13 next year to get Fitzy in with Frizelle. This season Pearce hasn’t shown anything that new buy Clune can’t do and seems an unsettling presence in this side..if there’s a buyer, sell..ditto Klem who needs a perk up.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
I think the key to the Knights going up a gear is in their edges. They have the makings of a decent footy side, but man, their edge defence is poor. Whenever Parramatta went right yesterday, they looked like a big chance of scoring, such was the shape of the Knights defensive line. I don't think it will take much to work out - maybe tweak their defensive style a bit, and getting in a defensive coach to work specifically with the 3/4 line this off season. The quality is there, just not sure the confidence is.
Paul
Roar Guru
Knights supporters have every right to be proud of the way their team scrapped yesterday. I for one didn't think they'd get within 15 or 20 points of Parra, yet the Knights were right in it with only a few minutes to go. That said, the title of this piece suggests the Knights are headed into a period of good results and I'm not sure that's the case. Mitchell Pearce will be 33 in April and his best years are likely behind him. Ponga is one of the best attackers in the game, but is only a poor to average defender, which begs the question, is he the best option at fullback? Across the park, I see guys who have big names and presumably big pay packets that are not exactly killing it every week. Only a few like Bradman Best are really enhancing their reputations as very good players, every week. I think the Knights can continue to play finals by vying for 7th or 8th place and if you and the Knights fans are happy with that, all good. If however you want to go back to the glory days, I suspect your Club might have to go through some pain in the coming seasons, to get the right squad to really compete with the big boys. Thankfully, you seem to have a pretty fair coach and the front office seems settled, so that's a real positive. Now you just need to get a few more quality players into the Club.