You may have read my previous article – Reality Check For Knights fan: Newcastle are nowhere near premiership contenders.
The idea behind this one is to express how they can return to being heavyweights once again. Consider this as the sequel article. This will be the only sequel. This isn’t the Fast and Furious franchise.
I take a look at our past and can’t look any further than the mid 90s-mid 2000s Newcastle Knights.
We have once had the winning culture but due to unfortunate circumstances, that plummeted. During those years, we had Andrew Johns as the centrepiece and his contribution to our team will still be remembered in 50 years from now.
He not only showed the best he could on the field, he brought out the best of all those around him. Had he not suffered as many injuries or threw a certain pass in the 2000 preliminary final, Newcastle would have more premierships to their accolade.
We get told about how his halves partner in the 2001 grand final was a second rower but it’s rarely mentioned the dummy half for Newcastle on 1997 was the criminally underrated second row/lock forward Billy Peden.
Billy played only his second game beginning from number 9 in that game and the result says it all.
Now we’re here in the modern day and we have a very predominantly young squad. As the years go on, these players will build their combinations and will get better.
Take a look at Melbourne Storm with the big three – Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk. From being young teenagers to first grade stars, they were the cornerstone for Melbourne’s success and even Cameron won the big game as the sole survivor, which was his retirement match.
The winning culture Melbourne have is like a conveyance belt which can turn the next generation of stars from no name guys to superstars.
One thing I can’t stress enough is we have to keep Kalyn Ponga. In attack, he can be an absolute flair but I do think he needs a bit of work with his defence one on one.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
I think the halves could be Jake Clifford the big red dog at halfback and Phoenix Crossland at five-eighth. Now if we complete the spine:
Kalyn Ponga – soon to be 24
Phoenix Crossland – 21
Jake Clifford – just turned 24
Jayden Brailey – soon to be 26
The combinations those guys could build over the years as the spine would be devastating and we have seen that spine just once last season in which Newcastle defeated Canberra 34-24.
At the same time, it’s only an opinion not a fact. Whoever the coach chooses to be our halves, I’ll trust his judgment.
With a handful of old boys in the Knights coaching team, they could teach the new breed exactly what the Newcastle winning culture is all about.
For our combinations to be effective, they’ll need experience and experience comes with knowledge. However, last season we had 15 different spines and half our original spine were out the opening rounds of the season.
Unfortunately when it comes down to injuries, they do happen and I just hope we don’t end up having enough injuries for a hospital ward again.
I remember during the rebuilding process, us fans were with our team and we backed them with our hearts. I have no doubt that it is still the case. That was our contribution during that period and the team is grateful for it. What do the fans need to do now?
Keep on backing our players, cheer them on, be a bit more realistic and stop the online bashing about which player should be dropped, sacked or isn’t NRL standard.
If you’re going to say a player shouldn’t be in the NRL, then you either go to AOB and tell him that you can do better or shut the hell up. We don’t bash our players online, we support them and we back them.
If you want to excessively online bash them, then when we next win a premiership, you have no right to join in the celebration.
We do have a long way to go and I don’t plan to back away. I didn’t go through 90 minutes getting a Knights tattoo on my right shoulder to turn my back on them now or ever.
Whether a player, coaching staff, in the headquarters or a fan, we are all the Newcastle Knights. Our players don’t just play to win, they play for the town and they play for the fans regardless where they live.
As I said once a while back – the Knights win, the fans win and if the Knights lose, the fans lose.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
In the space of a week they are nowhere near contenders and now on the rise. You can't have it both ways, they are either nowhere near contenders or on the rise. Until Ponga pulls his finger out and delivers on all the hype they will be not be contenders.
GW
Roar Pro
The Knights have the wood on the Raiders, even when the Green Machine are playing really well. We never seem to bother getting excited about the game until it’s too late.
GW
Roar Pro
The Knights have as much chance of success as the Raiders. Negligible.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
The Knights will be contenders when the massively overrated Ponga steps up and delivers consistently instead of a couple of times a year.
Rob
Guest
Did Turbo destroy the Panthers in a GF? You’re correct Ponga isn’t the same as Turbo the Hammer is. Ponga has different strengths in his game and if he’s can express those strengths he can be very influential to the Knights success.
NostraSportus
Roar Rookie
I personally think the biggest issue with Newcastle beyond the halfback is the coach. Windscreens O'brien isn't a head coach. He comes across very peculiar in interviews and I think it says a lot when your hire another oddball, Anthony Seibold, as an assistant. NostraSportus Predicts: O'Brien won't be coach of Newcastle in 2023.
Malo
Guest
Yeah can just imagine Ponga destroying the Panthers in the gf. WTF, he is no Tommy Turbo.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
AMD, like you I am very confused . Three days ago they weren't in the zone, today he's pumping their tyres up . I wasn't a huge Pearce fan but believe me they will miss him which suggests he may have been eased out . I think they'll be lucky to make the 8 .
Zac
Guest
Yes I want Clifford to play halfback I think he can get just as good as cleary And Crossland at no.6 would be good he could be like Luai,Munster, or C.Walker. Ponga I would put him as Caption If he does get cap then I Think things will be going uphill Now Jayden Brailey Well im sort of disappointed bc at the club there is one of the best hookers at all time that apparently teaches him and like it sort of does not look like That Danny teaches him
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more - I see the Knights finishing around 12th this season
The King of the World
Roar Guru
You are right sir. He gets the most heat.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Every single player in the entire 17 (except the Saiffitis) and coaching staff gets bashed up online in the Knights ' forums. Even Ponga and Best are given no mercy. The author is the antithesis of the usual Knight supporter who rip in ruthlessly. In fact, your thoughts Phil, are a close summary of what they say. It's probably K.M though.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I might be hard of comprehension, but I found the second half of this article a little confusing. It's not clear what or whom you were getting at, your Majesty.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Trust me sir, it’s not. I have seen this playing get online bashed by a lot of Knights fans. In a matter of respect and privacy, I chose not to mention him.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I'm having doubts on the coach. This article and others have been written saying what the Knights should be doing but are not. We are still waiting for Ponga to reach his potential although some scribes use the grossly overused adjective, "superstar," when describing him. The forward pack is good at best. Gagai will add to the backline with his experience but they need more. This is where the coach comes into it. He is the one to bring the players to the peak of their ability, get them firing on match day. There have been times I have watched Newcastle play and thought they look leaderless with poor last tackle options, too many one out runs and poor dummy half service. 2022 is a new season so here's hoping Newcastle can put it all together and keep packing the ISC every home game. I noticed the author has put near enough three paragraphs up referring to a player not up to NRL standard. In his previous article he had a similar storyline but when asked who the mystery player is, he chose not to say. Maybe this sub-standard player is a figment of an overzealous imagination.
Rob
Guest
I hope so. Jake Clifford is quality and only joined the team mid season. He’ll be for the first time the senior half in a team. No more 2nd fiddle rubbish and I believe he will be better for it. Jake is a quality game manger, defender, runner and kicker of the football. He’s also a +75% goal kicker. He was poorly managed by the Cowboys and unfortunately wasn’t given the opportunity to shine playing his best game under Green. Ponga probably needs to get his hands on the ball a little more mid set. Tedesco was touching the ball a lot more mid set and ball playing? Ponga is far superior to Tedesco in ball playing ability and vision so I think this is an area the Knights to work on his involvement. Unfortunately he has a pack of one out ball carries? Is 6 where Ponga should be. The Roosters/ Tedesco utilise the wingers and edge forwards to donkey the ball back. The Knights burn Ponga and the centres early in the set. The Knights need to review their rooster and work out what works best for them IMO. They have the ability and talent to be a top 8.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
TKotW, love the passion for your team, certainly shared by a lot Newie supporters.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
If we are making predictions based on the past then i predict at least 5 more wildly optimistic pieces from Knights fans before Round 1 kicks off. God bless Knights fans.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Sadly, that’s trademarked by Go West. Great song though.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Might need to rename your username from "King of the World" to "King of Wishful Thinking"