Newcastle’s balanced roster stacks up, Kalyn Ponga’s switch doesn’t

Newcastle look to have their most well-rounded squad in years, however the touted Kalyn Ponga switch to the halves seems illogical. FULL ROSTER ANALYSIS

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After years of futile existence at the foot of the ladder, Newcastle have a new burden to carry in 2019 - expectation.

For the first time since the Wayne Bennett years the Knights aren’t tipped to prop up the rest of the competition. In fact, the Novocastrians will be a trendy tip to make the finals.

That’s what happens when players like Kalyn Ponga, David Klemmer and Mitchell Pearce are in town. But can the old Knights survive in the brave new world?

Here’s how the Newcastle roster is shaping up ahead of the 2019 NRL season.

Connor Watson is expected to shift to fullback this season. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Full squad

Aidan Guerra, Brodie Jones, Connor Watson, Daniel Saifiti, Danny Levi, Edrick Lee, Herman Ese’ese, Jacob Saifiti, Jamie Buhrer, Jesse Ramien, Joshua King, Kalyn Ponga, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mason Lino, Mitchell Barnett, Mitchell Pearce, Nathan Ross, Pasami Saulo, Sam Stone, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sione Mata’utia, Slade Griffin, Tautau Moga, Tim Glasby

Ins: Tim Glasby (Melbourne Storm), Edrick Lee (Cronulla Sharks), Jesse Ramien (Cronulla Sharks), Zac Woolford (Bulldogs), Mason Lino (New Zealand Warriors), James Gavet (Warriors), David Klemmer (Bulldogs)

Outs: Jack Cogger (Canterbury Bulldogs), Chris Heighington (retired), Brock Lamb (Sydney Roosters), Jacob Lillyman (retired), Chanel Mata’utia (released), Pat Mata’utia (released), Nick Meaney (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Jesse Ramien looks to be an exceptional signing for the Knights. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Best XVII

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Tautau Moga 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Tim Glasby 9. Danny Levi 10. David Klemmer 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Aidan Guerra 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. James Gavet

Forwards

Klemmer rounds out the forward pack and gives Newcastle the elite middle forward they’ve been chasing for some time. He is, without question, one of the very best prop forwards in the sport and we’re tipping him to thrive. James Gavet is a smart purchase as well and will be a valuable contributor off the bench.

Herman Ese’ese thrived in his first year as a starter and between Tim Glasby, the Saifiti twins, Mitchell Barnett, Aidan Guerra, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and perhaps Sione Mata’utia there’s a strong unit in the Hunter.

Backs

Filling out the backline was a difficult task for the Knights last season but a couple of smart purchases could make all the difference. Jesse Ramien and Shaun Kenny-Dowall are the likely starters on the right side while Nathan Ross, Mata’utia, Edrick Lee and Tautau Moga will fill out the left. If Michael Jennings secures his release from Parramatta he may surge into contention.

Kalyn Ponga’s expected switch to the halves doesn’t add up. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

Spine

It is difficult to see the logic behind the Kalyn Ponga-Connor Watson switch.

Ponga quickly established himself as Newcastle’s best attacking player and one of the top fullbacks in the league and even if Watson is more suited to fullback than the halves weakening one of the club’s best strengths seems illogical.

Mason Lino is waiting in the wings should things go awry - he’s perfectly capable of starting next to Pearce in the halves and would give the club the top-shelf goalkicker they need.

Pearce has the halfback spot locked down but hooker is far more uncertain – Slade Griffin will not be fit for the early part of the season and Danny Levi, while talented, regressed badly last season.

Recruitment strength

Newcastle’s biggest recruit – both in stature and pay packet – is Klemmer but Jesse Ramien may be the club’s most astute purchase in some time. The former Cronulla centre is a representative player of the future and gives the Knights the kind of attacking presence out wide they’ve lacked for several years. The other big inclusions – Tim Glasby, Edrick Lee and Lino – are all proven top grade performers and give Newcastle more depth and options than they’ve had for some time. Keep an eye out for Gavet, who has been one of New Zealand’s best forwards in the past few seasons.

Nathan Brown will be upbeat about how his roster is shaping up. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

Where they’re lacking

Unless Lino manages to get the jump on Watson, the Knights have no recognised goalkicker. Ponga kicked at less than 70 per cent last season and every other player who kicked (Ken Sio, Brock Lamb, Nick Meaney) has left the club.

Lino kicked at 77 per cent last season and has long been a kicker in the lower grades. If he doesn’t start, Ponga will have to take the reins.

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