Monday Buzz: Newcastle Knights rebuilding junior pathways after years of neglect
After years of neglect, the Knights haven’t produced a superstar in decades. That could soon change, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Newcastle Knights are long overdue to unearth another local rugby league champion.
The second biggest junior nursery in the state — closely behind Penrith — hasn’t produced a superstar since the likes of Andrew and Matty Johns, Paul ‘The Chief’ Harragon, Adam Muir, Danny Buderus, and Matt and Kurt Gidley more than 20 years ago.
Finally they are doing something about it after years of neglect in their junior pathways.
Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
The Knights are replicating what Penrith has done and what all other clubs should be doing … rather than trying to buy a premiership.
They have invested in a new junior pathway academy and high performance centre as impressive as any other club in any code in Australian sport.
And they have called in a group of old NRL stars and club legends — Joey Johns, Kurt Gidley, Buderus, Mark O’Meley, Steve Simpson and Blake Green — to oversee what they hope will eventually become a factory to produce superstars.
This is a long overdue move for a club that lost some of rugby league’s best talent over the last decade from not having the right development structures in place.
Greg Inglis went to Hunter Sports High and Tevita Pangai Jr played for Souths Newcastle but brushed the Knights.
Latrell Mitchell and Boyd Cordner came from Taree in the Knights catchment area for brief stints but moved on.
Now the Knights have hired former Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan to run the academy alongside pathways recruitment boss Alex McKinnon.
Brennan was the man who set-up the junior programs at the Panthers under Phil Gould. Gus was the face of it, Brennan the architect.
This Penrith academy produced or developed the likes Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher Harris, Nathan Cleary and Matt Burton in their premiership winning side.
The Knights have almost as many junior participants as Penrith but have had to import the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce, Tyson Frizell and Dave Klemmer to build a reasonably competitive NRL squad.
“Our CEO Phil Gardner is really passionate about investing in this area,” says coach Adam O’Brien.
“I don’t think any club will have better pathway structures by the time we’re finished.
“We’ve got Joey coaching the young halves, Gids doing the fullbacks, Bedsy the hookers, Mark O’Meley the middle forwards and Steve Simpson doing the edge forwards.
“Tell me a youngster who wouldn’t want to be coached by these guys. They listen, they learn and walk off feeling a million dollars.”
The academy is for 16 to 20-year-olds for male and female players.
Johns is such a popular figure.
One rookie half-back in his HSC year at St Gregorys Campbelltown drove all the way to Newcastle between exams to do a session under the eighth Immortal last Monday when we visited.
It’s so good to see the old boys involved.
You immediately think of the Wests Tigers and the fact old legends like Steve Blocker Roach, Benny Elias and Garry Jack are never anywhere to be seen. They’ve been made to feel unwelcome.
“The old boys have always been keen to give back to the club,” Buderus said.
“The essence of this whole program is teaching our elite juniors about how we play at NRL level and the culture of the Knights.
“We’ve had some good young players come through but they’ve never had an education like they’re getting now.”
Brennan is seriously excited. He has long overcome the disappointment of his Titans departure and is pumped for this program.
“This area is potentially as strong as Penrith,” Brennan said, “It’s been a bit neglected but we can fix that. There’s no reason why we can’t become a powerhouse through our juniors.
“I’ve told them we might lose the odd player but we’re never going to lose another Boyd Cordner.
“There’s nothing to stop us having 80 percent of our NRL squad being locals. That’s the idea.”
Matty Johns is rapt they are finally investing in this area.
“When the Knights first started blokes like Keith Onslow, David Waite and Alan Bell just hit the schools non-stop,” Johns said, “They didn’t send out development officers, they went themselves. And they coached the kids. They never missed out on the good ones.
“Since then there’s been this lack of education. They’ve probably been taught the wrong way.
“This is where Garth Brennan is so important from his Penrith days. He knows what’s required and he’s got the old boys in to help.”
The new high performance centre will also be home for the Knights’ NRLW side.
This is an area Joey Johns is passionate about as well.
“Juniors in Newcastle will now get every opportunity to make it through to NRL,” he said, “I’m talking men and women. The girls I’ve been working with at training are incredibly skilful. I’m actually blown from seeing what they can do.
“This is all so exciting for Newcastle.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Monday Buzz: Newcastle Knights rebuilding junior pathways after years of neglect
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.