Newcastle Knights 2020 NRL preview: Team list, burning questions
Is this the year Newcastle deliver on the promise? The pressure is on the Knights’ biggest stars like never before, and Paul Crawley asks if the Novocastrians are ready to take the final step.
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New coach Adam O’Brien has won over the players in his first pre-season in charge. Now it is time for the players to win back the fans.
The only thing that is going to equate to a pass mark for the Knights this year is a top eight finish.
No one doubts they have a roster capable of standing toe-to-toe with the best. In fact, their 38-12 demolition of the Sydney Roosters midway through last season was a performance that should be their benchmark.
But it is what happened at the back end of the year that was most concerning, when they threw away their finals hopes with nine losses out of their last 12 games.
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Some of those performances were downright embarrassing.
It led to the demise of Nathan Brown and understandably many fans were very angry at the way it all unfolded. As a result the players really have a lot of ground to make up.
This is O’Brien’s first crack at head coach but importantly he learned his trade working under Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson so he is well-schooled in knowing what success requires.
The talk coming out of Newcastle over summer has been positive in respect to how hard O’Brien has pushed the players through what they are all saying has been one of their most gruelling pre-seasons.
But it will all count for nothing if they don’t aim up on the paddock - and not just in the first half of the season.
THE KNIGHTS ROSTER
Who’s in: Jayden Brailey (Sharks), Bradman Best, Star To’a (upgraded from development contracts), Enari Tuala (Cowboys), Gehamat Shibasaki (Broncos), Jirah Momoisea (upgraded from development contracts)
Who’s out: Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR), James Gavet (Huddersfield), Jamie Buhrer, Zac Woolford (unsigned), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Slade Griffin, Nathan Ross (retired), Danny Levi (Sea Eagles), Beau Fermor (Titans)
Analysis: Jayden Brailey will take over the dummy half duties and the hardworking hooker is a terrific buy for the club, while Gehamat Shibasaki and Enari Tuala give good depth in the outside backs.
Finding a halves partner for Mitchell Pearce still appears the big question hanging over this squad with Kurt Mann likely to get first crack at five-eighth ahead of Mason Lino and young Phoenix Crossland.
The fact the Knights have gone so heavy chasing Tyson Frizell also highlights where the club thinks the forward pack is lacking.
Off-contract 2020: Herman Ese’ese, Aidan Guerra, Brodie Jones, Josh King, Mason Lino, Tautau Moga, Jacob Saifiti, Connor Watson, Enari Tuala
Connor Watson is off contract at the end of the season and the Knights will not let him go. He covers so many positions and the role he plays off the bench should not be under estimated. The club has already extended Mitch Barnett’s future until at least the end of 2023.
Re-signing priorities: Ponga is not off contract until the end of next year but he is a free agent come November and naturally the club is keen to get a deal done as soon as possible. Watson is the priority of the current off contract players.
The burning question: Can Mitchell Pearce’s form hold up for a full season?
Last year Pearce was unbelievable heading into Origin. But it was after he got his call-up for NSW in the series clinching victory that things fell apart for Newcastle.
It was like Pearce lost his way after the euphoria of finally winning an Origin series.
His leadership is critical to this team, and if the Knights are to play finals football in 2020 it will be on the back of a huge season from their No 7.
The good news for Knights fans is that Pearce has been absolutely putting in throughout the summer.
Always regarded as an outstanding trainer, regulars at Knights sessions have been in awe at how hard Pearce has worked himself in recent months.
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It’s a big year for: Kalyn Ponga
If they are talking about Ponga being worth more than $1 million-a-season to the Knights then he has to start playing up to that price tag every single game.
That’s what made Billy Slater so great in the past, and what makes James Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck so great now.
On his day, Ponga is breathtaking to watch. The most outstanding young talent in the game.
But like Pearce, some of his performances last year just weren’t up to scratch.
Maybe there is too much pressure on a player so young given Ponga is still only 21.
But when you earn the big bucks the expectation comes with it.
For all he has achieved so far, Ponga has to go to another level in 2020 in respect to his consistency.
Untimely injuries strike Knights
A pre-season knee injury to Sione Mata’utia will keep the talented backrower out for up to the first month of the season which will cause a significant reshuffle to the pack.
Young star Bradman Best will also miss the start of the season with a fractured foot.
Pre-season hero: Before he suffered his injury setback, Best’s effort during pre-season had been the talk of the club.
It’s not often a young player stands out like he did but it is especially exciting given Best is regarded as one of the most gifted players emerging in the game.
You look back at all the great careers and it was never just talent that made them into champions. It was most often their work ethic that set them apart.
The best player you’ve never heard of: Simi Sasagi
At just 18, Sasagi exploded onto the scene at the NRL Nines.
But they reckon this young five-eighth with blistering speed and who loves to play eyes-up footy could well be ready to make the next step into the real world of NRL at some stage this year.
The young Kiwi debuted in under 20s Jersey Flegg early last year and scored three tries in 25 minutes before he suffered a back injury soon after that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
But he has now come through his second NRL pre-season in fine style.
Given he is on a development contract, it means Sasagi can’t play in the top grade until after June 30.
But remember the name.
STATS THAT MATTER: Rookie coach Adam O’Brien needs to close the gap between the Knights best and worst performances for them to be a finals contender in 2020. Last season Newcastle lost six games by 24 points or more — the most of any team.