Newcastle Knights can make the NRL top eight this year, tips Mark Gasnier
FROM the wooden spoon to a shot at silverware. We’ve ranked every NRL club’s recruitment drive and Newcastle have the talent to push into the eight in 2018, according to Mark Gasnier.
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FROM the bottom of the heap to the top eight — the Newcastle Knights are on the rise.
Mark Gasnier has backed the Knights to make the finals next year on the back of an off-season spending spree highlighted by the signing of NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce.
The Knights have claimed the pasts three wooden spoons, winning just 14 of their 72 games while scoring 1191 points and conceding 2060.
Despite their past troubles the Knights are $2.75 with the TAB to make the top eight, shorter odds than Canterbury ($3), New Zealand ($3.50), Wests Tigers ($4.50) and Gold Coast ($4.50).
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The Sunday Telegraph has ranked each club’s off-season recruitment drives with the Knights pipping the Sydney Roosters for the best purchases, despite the cashed-up Roosters securing fullback James Tedesco and halfback Cooper Cronk.
Gasnier said he could not go past the Knights for their well-thought out signings including Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson, Aidan Guerra, Herman Ese’ese and Tautau Moga.
“I like everything about their recruitment,” Gasnier said. “Mitchell Pearce was unexpected but so good for the Newcastle Knights.
“They haven’t panicked. I like that Nathan Brown has been given the time by the club and I like he hasn’t rushed out to spend the salary cap. Newcastle have been smart in recruiting personalities and talent.
“Barring injury and suspensions I’m going to tip them to make the eight. They could go from 16th to eighth. I can’t see another team jumping that many spots.
“Something is building there. I know the type of football Browny wants to play. When he was at the Dragons he had the cattle but maybe not the experience. Now he has he the experience and is getting the cattle.
“Some people think someone like Aidan Guerra is just cashing in but I don’t think that. He will be good. He has played in Origin teams and won a premiership at the Roosters. He wants to be a leader and went to Newcastle for more responsibility.”
The Tigers have been the most active in the player market, bringing no less than nine current first graders into their squad but the likes of Robbie Rochow, Chris McQueen and Mahe Fonua are trying to re-establish themselves.
Cronulla (Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan), St George Illawarra (Ben Hunt and James Graham) and Canterbury (Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran) have each signed two big name players while Parramatta’s signing of Jarryd Hayne could be the best value for money recruit of the season if he rediscovers some of his past form.
A host of clubs including Brisbane, South Sydney, North Queensland and Penrith have landed one marquee signing each.
Gasnier said the addition of Kangaroos prop Jordan McLean to the Cowboys could see them better their grand final appearance this year.
“I love McLean as a player,” Gasnier said. “He is a key signing especially with Matt Scott coming back from a knee injury. Scott will have a genuine front-row partner and they’ll be able to have some impact off the bench through John Asiata. “
The Storm secured veteran Ryan Hoffman while Sam Kasiano looms as an X-Factor for the defending premiers.
The Titans, Manly and Canberra are ranked at the bottom after failing to attract any high profile additions.
NRL player movements
1 KNIGHTS
Title odds: $29 Top 8: $2.75
Kalyn Ponga (Cowboys), Connor Watson (Roosters), Aidan Guerra (Roosters), Tautau Moga (Broncos), Herman Ese’ese (Broncos), Slade Griffin (Storm), Jacob Lillyman (Warriors), Chris Heighington (Sharks), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters)
2 ROOSTERS
Title odds: $5 Top 8: $1.20
James Tedesco (Wests Tigers), Cooper Cronk (Storm), Reece Robinson (Waratahs)
3 SHARKS
Title odds: $13 Top 8: $1.50
Josh Dugan (Dragons), Aaron Gray (Rabbitohs), Ava Seumanufagai (Wests Tigers), Scott Sorensen (Raiders), Braden Uele (Cowboys), Matt Moylan (Panthers)
4 BULLDOGS
Title odds: $34 Top 8: $3
Kieran Foran (Warriors), Aaron Woods (Tigers), Fa’amanu Brown (Sharks), Ofahiki Ogden (Warriors), Jeremy Marshall-King (Tigers), Clay Priest (Raiders), Mason Cerruto (Panthers)
5 DRAGONS
Title odds: $19 Top 8: $2
James Graham (Bulldogs), Ben Hunt (Broncos), Jeremy Latimore (Sharks), Darren Nicholls (Panthers), Mitch Allgood (Wakefield)
6 EELS
Title odds: $13 Top 8: $1.50
Kane Evans (Roosters), Jarryd Hayne (Titans), Tony Williams (Sharks)
7 WARRIORS
Title odds: $41 Top 8: $3.50
Tohu Harris (Storm), Gerard Beale (Sharks), Leivaha Pulu (Titans), Adam Blair (Broncos), Peta Hiku (Warrington Wolves), Matiu Love-Henry (Norths Devils), Blake Green (Sea Eagles)
8 TIGERS
Title odds: $51 Top 8: $4.50
Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs), Benji Marshall (Broncos), Russell Packer (Dragons), Ben Matulino (Warriors), Chris McQueen (Titans), Mahe Fonua (Hull FC), Taane Milne (Dragons), Robbie Rochow (Storm), Corey Thompson (Widnes), Pita Godinet (Sea Eagles)
9 PANTHERS
Title odds: $11 Top 8: $1.40
Tyrone Phillips (Bulldogs), James Maloney (Sharks), Adam Keighran (Bulldogs), Jayden Walker (Sharks)
10 BRONCOS
Title odds: $11 Top 8: $1.40
Jack Bird (Sharks), Matt Lodge, Patrick Mogo (Cowboys), Andre Savelio (Warrington).
11 Rabbitohs:: Dane Gagai (Knights), Jesse Arthars (Storm), Mark Nicholls (Storm), Richie Kennar (Bulldogs), Jacob Gagan (Knights), Jesse Martin (Sea Eagles)
12 COWBOYS
Title odds: $7 Top 8: $1.30
Carlin Anderson (Townsville Blackhawks), Jordan McLean (Storm)
13 STORM
Title odds: $6.50 Top 8: $1.22
Sam Kasiano (Bulldogs), Ryan Hoffman (Warriors), Patrick Kaufusi (Cowboys), Sandor Earl, Ryan Papenhuyzen (Wests Tigers), Billy Walters (Brisbane Easts), Cooper Johns (Sea Eagles), Kayleb Milne (NZ rugby)
14 TITANS
Title odds: $51 Top 8: $4.50
Jai Arrow (Broncos), Brendan Elliot (Knights), Keegan Hipgrave (Broncos), Mitch Rein (Panthers), Leilani Latu (Panthers), Jack Stockwell (Knights)
15 RAIDERS
Title odds: $15 Top 8: $1.70
Brad Abbey (Bulldogs), Cooper Bambling, Craig Garvey (Bulldogs), Charlie Gubb (Warrior), Corey Horsburgh (Cowboys), Sam Williams (Wakefield), Sitiveni Moceidreke (Rabbitohs)
16 SEA EAGLES
Title odds: $15 Top 8: $1.60
Toafofoa Sipley (Warriors), Jack Gosiewski (Rabbitohs), Lachlan Croker (Raiders)