Season Preview: 16th – Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights will be looking to avoid a third straight spoon in 2017 after “capturing the honour” in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Last season was one to forget for fans in the Hunter, with their side only winning the one game all season, and capturing a third competition point through a draw.

They’ve enjoyed a mixed pre-season with the great news of Kalyn Ponga’s long-term signing from 2018 onwards being offset by news that Jarrod Mullen could be facing a potential long suspension.

Former NSW Origin representatives Jamie Buhrer and Anthony Tupou have joined the side, as have Rory Kostjasyn and Josh Starling, adding some experience and aggression to the ranks.

Weakness: Lack of experience

The Knights have players like Hodkinson, Gagai, and Tupou, all with plenty of NRL and Origin experience, but the large majority of their side is made up of emerging talent.

There is no obvious choice for fullback, and they need to find a replacement for the injured Rory Kostjasyn at nine. Brock Lamb will likely play in the halves with Hodkinson, rounding out an extremely inexperienced spine.

To be any chance of making the eight, the Knights need a host of players to develop out of sight, and very quickly. Mata’utia, Lamb, Dennis, or the like, are going to have a career year out of nowhere.

Sione Mata’utia improved massively once settled last season, and Nathan Ross established himself as genuine, and exciting, first grader in 2016, so it’s not impossible for the likes of Denniss or Lamb to become something special over 26 rounds.

Strength: The future

I don’t want to sound like I’m writing off the 2017 season before a ball has even been kicked or a tackle made, but for the Knights, it’s all about 2018 and beyond.

Kalyn Ponga is one of the most exciting players in the game and is the likely fullback for the Knights for as long as he wants the position.

Matt Scott is touring the Newcastle facilities later this week, with Jack Bird and other star players also linked to the club.

A host of big names combined with a few clever signings and the development of some young talents and the future suddenly looks far different from the past.

Star Player: Trent Hodkinson

The former Origin winning halfback had a quiet 2016, although his season mirrored that of his side rather than being down to any great loss of form.

That said, the Knights need the best from their talented number seven in 2017 and beyond.

He needs to dictate terms via his kicking game and has to create more opportunities for his outside backs than he did last season.

His forward pack will pack more punch than 2016 which should present a better opportunity to create. Brock Lamb, a very talented but young player, is Hodkinson’s most likely halves partner and will look to his captain for direction.

Pressure On: Nathan Brown

I have said many times previously that I don’t believe Nathan Brown to be in any way responsible for the horror 2016 season, nor do I believe his job is in any sort of question.

He has the right idea in investing in the future and is leading an aggressive recruitment drive for 2018 onwards.

It’s tough to call 2017 a write off as this is a proud side and Brown is a proud coach. They will want to win games. They’ll genuinely believe in their ability to play finals footy.

Nathan Brown, even if the Knights fail to massively improve on last season, needs to believe in what he is doing and not get discouraged.

Given the names the club is linked to, and the development of his young squad, all the pain looks as though it may be worth it.

Prediction: 16th

Despite all the positives, I still cannot see the Knights posting enough wins this year to avoid finishing in last spot.

Make no mistake, I expect an improvement on their 2016 form. Jamie Buhrer is a clever signing, and Gagai and Mata’utia are more dangerous now that they’re settled in their positions once again.

Newcastle fans have suffered over the past few years after the awful errors made by a certain former owner and former coach, but the pain looks like it will be worth it.

Some big signings are on their way, and there is some serious potential within this Newcastle side.

Exciting times are ahead, unfortunately, it may not come to fruition in 2017.