NRL 2021: Why Newcastle’s gang of ‘alpha males’ has the makings of one of the NRL’s top packs

The addition of Tyson Frizell has given Newcastle one of the best forward packs in the NRL and the hard-nosed group of “alphas” are ready to stand up to anyone who says otherwise.

The Knights’ pack monstered the Bulldogs in round one. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

It might not be long before Newcastle’s hard-hitting “alpha males” are counted among the best forward packs in the NRL.

The Knights crushed Canterbury in the middle in their 32-16 opening-round win last week and while they will face tougher opposition in the weeks to come, starting on Friday against the Warriors, the addition of Origin forward Tyson Frizell gives Newcastle one of the most dangerous and well-rounded packs in the competition.

Add in fellow Blues forward Daniel Saifiti, his underrated twin brother Jacob, David Klemmer, Mitch Barnett and Connor Watson’s move to lock and the Knights will fancy their chances against anyone in the middle, including the likes of Canberra, Melbourne, South Sydney and the Roosters.

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Daniel Saifiti heads a powerful forward pack at the Knights. Picture: AAP

The key, according to Barnett, isn’t so much talent but attitude — anyone can stack a few big names together, but to beat the best you must believe you’re the best and play with that swagger and confidence right through the 80 minutes.

“We’ve got a lot of alpha males in this team,” Barnett said.

“Every side has their alphas, that’s just how footy goes, but we’ve got a lot them.

“I thought D-Saf was the best forward for New South Wales in Origin last year — that might be a bit biased but that’s what I thought, and big Klem has been there and done that and was probably unlucky not to be there.

“He’s going to take that personally this year. Big Frizz is a leader in that pack as well, so you have three Origin reps and two Australian players.

“I want to be saying I’m proud of them every week, right to the end of the year.”

Newcastle’s forwards hammered the Bulldogs in round one. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

Saifiti’s first game as captain was a smashing success as he scored two tries and ran for 145 metres while his brother has become one of the most underrated props in the league with his fine work off the bench.

Klemmer remained as consistent as ever, getting through 197 metres in a titanic 73-minute stint — now Jason Taumalolo’s role in North Queensland has changed, it’s easy to make the case Klemmer is the best yardage man in the NRL.

Frizell churned through 165 metres, the second-best return of any match in his entire career, and looked more dangerous than he has in some time while Barnett’s skill and footwork make him a good complimentary weapon on the other side of the field.

While Klemmer, Frizell and Watson were all brought in as part of the club’s rebuild, the Saifiti twins and Barnett came in on the ground floor. All three made their Knights debuts in the hellish 2016 season where the club won just one game.

They were bullied around the park a lot in those days, but five years later everything is different. This time they’re the bullies, they’re the ones who knock you down and laugh about it later.

“There’s a lot of alphas in the team — big Klem, J-Saf, Frizz, blokes who are men,” Barnett said. “But that’s what you’re seeing — the Saifitis understand how big they are and they’ve been around a long time now.

Tyson Frizell had an impressive debut for the Knights. Picture: Shane Myers/NRL Photos

“When they first came on the scene we were struggling and they learned the hard way, now they’re starting to dish it out.

“Those boys were trapped in the deep end, but I think they’re better off for it now.”

Newcastle’s ace in the hole is Watson, who moved to lock forward this year after spending time at fullback, five-eighth and hooker in the past.

An injury to Kurt Mann forced him back to the halves temporarily last week, but the middle is his true spot now and his speed and ball-playing through the centre of the field gives Newcastle a new dimension beyond Klemmer and the twins raw yardage.

“He can go in anywhere, but you just need him on there. We’re a lot better team with him on there,” Barnett said. “He never stops and he’s like that at training, he competes with Saf and Klem and gets into them.

“He’s one of the most competitive blokes I’ve ever met and pound for pound he’s the strongest bloke I ever played with.”