Newcastle legend Andrew Johns says Knights are a team on the up next season
NEWCASTLE’S final spot on the ladder is still to be determined, but the club’s greatest player, Andrew Johns, says they are a side to watch out for in 2019.
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NEWCASTLE’S final spot on the ladder is still to be determined, but the club’s greatest player says they are a side to watch out for in 2019.
Andrew Johns, an Immortal and Knights premiership winner two times over, is among the club’s hall of fame inductees to be celebrated at Saturday’s Old Boys day.
Johns was central to some of Newcastle’s best moments and from what he’s seen this season, he’s confident the current crop of players can lift the club back to greatness.
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“I thought they’d be around the eight this year. If Mitchell Pearce played every game this year, they’d be around the eight,” Johns told The Saturday Telegraph.
“Next year I think they’ll be definitely trying for a semi final position.
“If there’s one club that’s on the up, it’s Newcastle.”
A Newcastle win on Saturday would secure an 11th place finish for them in season 2018, finally shipping the wooden spoon from of their Mayfield offices.
Coach Nathan Brown and general manager of football Darren Mooney have worked to build a squad with experience and talent to return success to the Hunter. Johns believes this season was the just the start.
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The arrival of Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee and Tim Glasby in a couple of months will march them further down that path.
“It’s really encouraging, especially with the performances of Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga, those two have really stood out,” Johns said.
“I think there’s a really good team building there. They’ve recruited well again next year. Jesse Ramien is going to be a great buy.
“It’s onwards and upwards for the club.”
While Johns won’t be at McDonald Jones Stadium for Old Boys day because of work commitments, he knows from his playing days what the occasion means to the club.
A chance to recognise those who helped create the club and keep it near and dear to the Newcastle community meant that game day was one of the most important of the season for the players.
“I know when I was playing, it was always a special day. As a player I always wanted to play my best that day,” he said.
“When it first started, I can remember running out and there were hundreds of players. Seeing all those old faces was pretty amazing, really inspirational actually.”
Newcomer Pearce has been blown away by how he’s been welcomed into the Knights’ fold. This may be his first Old Boys day, but he wants to deliver his best.
“From my short time here, I’ve experienced the support that the old boys give us as players,” Pearce said.
“I didn’t know any of those guys really — ‘Gids’ (Kurt Gidley) and ‘Bedsy’ (Danny Buderus) a little bit — but they take you in as one of their own.
“All the new boys have spoken about it; to have that solidarity from old legends … it means a lot to all of us.”
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