KNIGHTS NEED TO MAINTAIN RAGE

Newcastle had its best season in a decade to make the semifinals in 2023, but with a bit of success comes more expectation. Was it a flash-in-thepan type of year or are the Knights finally a title contender?

BACKS

Losing their top tryscorer in star winger Dominic Young is a huge blow, but they’ve recruited well with Panthers young gun Tom Jenkins and English recruit Will Pryce – both look like future stars and they’re both in the mix for the vacant right wing spot.

With Dane Gagai, Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew already established in the backline, there’s plenty of strike, experience and creativity. Watch out for highly rated Krystian Mapapalangi to appear in the backline at some point this season.

SPINE

Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings were the main halves combination

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last season after Kalyn Ponga returned to fullback, but the addition of former Panther Jack Cogger to the squad has turned up the heat on the duo.

The Knights have historically struggled with depth in the halves thanks to untimely injuries, but they’ve prepared for this in 2024 with three genuine starters. Hooker and captain Jayden Brailey returns from a knee injury and will share the dummy-half role with Phoenix Crossland, who provides good cover as a No.14.

FORWARDS

The Knights’ forward pack is big, mobile and has depth. Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, Tyson Frizell and Adam Elliott make up the senior heads in the pack, while prop Leo Thompson was one of the form forwards in the game last season. Jack Hetherington offers them versatility between the middle and edge.

The exit of Lachlan Fitzgibbon has opened a spot on the left edge, with Dylan Lucas or English recruit Kai Pearce-Paul to fill his boots. There’s a good mix of ballplayers and enforcers who will keep the engine moving.

Kalyn Ponga was the best player in the game last year and now that he’s shown what he’s capable of, he needs to do it for a full season. The superstar fullback had one of the best runs of form the game has ever seen to get the Knights to the finals after stepping down from State of Origin duty to focus on club land. It’s a team sport, but so much of the Knights’ success hinges on Ponga.