Former Newcastle Knight Matty Johns counts down all time favourites 5-1 in the red and blue
It’s the last day of reveals for Matty Johns’ best Newcastle Knights players of all time. The league legend has unveilied to The Newcastle News who made his prestigious cut as he finally announces his top 5. Take a look.
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The league legend has revealed to The Newcastle News who made his prestigious cut. Today, Johns finally announces his top 5.
Click on each footy card below to flip over for player stats.
5 Ben Kennedy
Backrow
2000-2004
Following the retirement of Knights great Paul Harragon, Newcastle were in real need of a forward leader for 2000. Enter Ben Kennedy. Signed from the Canberra Raiders, his impact on the club was equal parts immediate and enormous. BK became a driving influence for the club’s 2001 premiership season. In fact, his leadership traits were exactly why coach Des Hasler then signed him for a Manly Sea rebuild in 2005 ... where I reckon he went even better.
4 Matt Gidley
Centre
1996-2006
Warren Ryan used to say Gids was the greatest footballer he’d ever seen that stayed in his own 10m corridor. While little brother Kurt roamed all over the field like a drover’s dog, Matt owned his corridor with footwork, incredible hands and sublime skill. And of course, there was the Gidley Flick ... a term still used today for that pass he effectively trademarked.
3 Paul Harragon
Prop
1988-1999
One of rugby league’s greatest captains and the driving force in Newcastle’s 1997 premiership season. On the field, a ball of fury and aggression. Yet off it, one of the kindest human beings you would ever meet. A leader in every sense.
2 Danny Buderus
Hooker
1997-2008
When first arriving at the Knights from Taree, nobody really knew what position Bedsey was best suited for. So they played him in the halves, at centre, even fullback before a chance move into the No.9 jersey and -- boom -- away he went. Completely transformed his career. Today, regarded among the greatest hookers the game has ever seen.
1 Andrew Johns
Halfback
1993-2007
Well, surprise, surprise ... I’ve gone with Andrew at number one. Joined the club in 1988, aged 15. And from there, well, he not only rose right up through the Knights playing ranks, but along the way enjoyed success with every single side he played in. All up, Joey earned premierships, Test and Origin jerseys, Immortality, the lot. Questionable though if he was even the best player in his family.
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