NRL 2024: Rating the Newcastle Knights from 1-29
Newcastle are fresh off their best season in a decade and have made some major off-season moves to bolster their squad - PAMELA WHALEY ranks the roster from 1 to 29.
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Newcastle are fresh off their best season in a decade.
With pre-season training to start on Monday, there’s still some things to be settled in their roster for 2024.
They have a number of players off-contract and have lost top-try-scorer Dom Young, as well as second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, fullback Lachlan Miller and halfback Adam Clune.
Movement in the top-30 is expected, but they’ve added some quality recruits to the mix, including two high-profile Englishman.
Pamela Whaley ranks the Knights’ roster in value of importance from 1 to 29.
29 MYLES MARTIN
Age: 19
Games: 2 (2023 games: 0)
Contract ends: 2024
A country boy from Bathurst, Martin has signed a one-year deal with the Knights for 2024. He’s one of the best young forwards in the game and played at lock for the NSW under-19s earlier this year in their 32-14 win over Queensland.
28 PAUL BRYAN
Age: 20
Games: 0 (2023 games: 0)
Contract ends: 2025
The Queensland State of Origin under-19s representative suffered an ACL injury this year and missed the season, but he’s been added to the Knights’ top 30 squad for 2024 in a nod to his potential as an NRL prop.
27 DAVID ARMSTRONG
Age: 22
Games: 0 (2023 games: 0)
Contract ends: 2024
The rising young fullback spent some time in the Knights’ junior system and returned to the club in 2022 where he’s been developing in the NSW Cup competition. He gets a promotion to the top 30 for 2024 after scoring 18 tries in 23 games over the past two seasons.
26 RILEY JONES
Age: 21
Games: 1 (2023 games: 1)
Contract ends: 2025
A dummy half of the future, Jones made his NRL debut from the bench in the last round of the season against the Dragons and is expected to develop into a back-up hooker to Jayden Brailey with another pre-season under his belt.
25 RYAN RIVETT
Age: 21
Games: 1 (2023 games: 1)
Contract ends: 2024
The young halfback was born in Gosford but played his junior football in Queensland, before moving to Cronulla where he came through their SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup systems. He made his debut for the Knights from the interchange bench early last year and is developing into a halfback of the future.
24 KRYSTIAN MAPAPALANGI
Age: 20
Games: 2 (2023 games: 0)
Contract ends: 2024
The young centre suffered injury setbacks with his shoulder in 2023 and couldn’t improve on the two games he played in his debut season in 2022. A player of the future.
23 JED CARTWRIGHT
Age: 26
Games: 31 (2023 games: 15)
Contract ends: 2025
Versatile at backrower or in the centres, the 27-year-old former Penrith and South Sydney player adds smart depth to the Knights squad. After a few setbacks he played 15 games for the Rabbitohs in 2023, his biggest season to date.
22 BRODIE JONES
Age: 25
Games: 12 (2023 games: 54)
Contract ends: 2024
A local junior, Jones has been a dependable member of the forward pack for the past four seasons with his competitive edge and versatility. He was named rookie of the year in 2021, but he’s on the fringes of first grade now with more competition in the second row and has just been signed for one more season.
21 WILL PRYCE
Age: 21
Games: 0
Contract ends: 2025
Another Englishman new to the squad in 2024, Pryce adds versatility and depth to the backline and can play anywhere from fullback to in the halves.
20 DYLAN LUCAS
Age: 23
Games: 7 (2023 games: 7)
Contract ends: 2026
The 23-year-old has risen through the lower grades and is now on the fringes of first grade with plenty of potential. He played seven games in the forwards this season and scored two tries.
19 ENARI TUALA
Age: 25
Games: 90 (2023 games: 6)
Contract ends: 2024
After three solid seasons for the Knights, Tuala fell out of the first-grade side in 2023 behind strike wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and centres Bradman Best and Dane Gagai. He’s a handy replacement to have when injury strikes.
18 JACK HETHERINGTON
Age: 27
Games: 69 (2023 games: 26)
Contract ends: 2025
After stints with the Panthers, Warriors and Bulldogs across six seasons, Hetherington played the most consistent football of his career with the Knights in 2023. His short stints from the bench keeps punch in the pack.
17 MAT CROKER
Age: 24
Games: 42 (2023 games: 24)
Contract ends: 2024
The rising young forward has been steadily developing over the past few years. He played 24 games this season, the most since coming into first grade in 2021, and added quality from the bench in short stints.
16 JACK COGGER
Age: 26
Games: 55 (2023 games: 13)
Contract ends: 2026
Cogger started his career at the Knights in 2016 and after stints with the Bulldogs, Panthers and in the Super League, he returns as a more well-rounded player. He’ll add more competition to the halves which can only be a good thing.
15 TOM JENKINS
Age: 22
Games: 6 (2023 games: 5)
Contract ends: 2025
He scored five tries in as many games for the NRL premiers this season, as well as 40 tries in 49 games in NSW Cup. He comes to the Knights with his eye on the spot left vacant by Dom Young on the right wing, but he can play centre too.
14 KAI PEARCE-PAUL
Age: 22
Games: 0
Contract ends: 2025
One of two new English recruits, the young second-rower is highly regarded and has shown plenty to be excited about at a representative level for England as well as with Wigan, where he won a Super League title in 2023. Forced to undergo pre-season toe surgery on an injury he’d been dealing with over the past 12 months at Wigan. The Knights released a statement saying they expected Pearce-Paul to be available in the “early rounds of 2024” after Newcastle’s medical team made the call for the star to go under the knife.
13 LEO THOMPSON
Age: 23
Games: 41 (2023 games: 25)
Contract ends: 2025
The young prop had the best season of his career in 2023. His powerful hit-ups gave the Knights a spark of energy every time he touched the ball and as the season went on he developed into a crucial member of the pack.
12 DANE GAGAI
Age: 32
Games: 268 (2023 games: 22)
Contract ends: 2024
The long-time Queensland centre is the most experienced player in the Knights’ side. Although he’s nearing the back end of his career, he’s still got plenty of power and his strong hit ups early in the tackle count are so valuable.
11 JAYDEN BRAILEY
Age: 27
Games: 107 (2023 games: 5)
Contract ends: 2025
The unlucky dummy-half has been plagued by injuries since he arrived at the club in 2020, playing just 38 games in the past four seasons. However, when he’s fit he’s the key to the Knights’ spine.
10 ADAM ELLIOTT
Age: 29
Games: 143 (2023 games: 18)
Contract ends: 2025
His ball movement and offloads in the middle helped open up the Knights’ attack in 2023, and big minutes in the middle helped chip away at the workload, too.
9 GREG MARZHEW
Age: 26
Games: 47 (2023 games: 22)
Contract ends: 2026
The ex-Titans winger had a breakout season at the Knights in 2023, scoring 22 tries in 22 games. His speed and power on the wing made him one of the standout wingers in the NRL this season.
8 PHOENIX CROSSLAND
Age: 23
Games: 60 (2023 games: 25)
Contract ends: 2026
This season was his best so far. He stepped up to fill in at dummy half once Jayden Brailey went down with injury, and he developed into an attacking point of difference given his background as a half.
7 TYSON GAMBLE
Age: 27
Games: 49 (2023 games: 24)
Contract ends: 2024
New to the Knights in 2023, there was not a lot of expectation on Gamble but he was a shining light for the club in the halves. His partnership with Jackson Hastings helped the Knights to their most successful season in a decade.
6 JACOB SAIFITI
Age: 27
Games: 142 (2023 games: 21)
Contract ends: 2024
The 27-year-old NSW State of Origin forward has been a vital part of the Knights pack for the past eight seasons, and as a popular local junior, is crucial to keeping the culture of the club together.
5 JACKSON HASTINGS
Age: 27
Games: 85 (2023 games: 22)
Contract ends: 2025
The ex-Tigers, Sea Eagles and Roosters halfback found a home at the Knights in 2023 and helped streamline their attack almost instantly. His kicking game in particular helped unlock the Knights’ powerful outside backs.
4 BRADMAN BEST
Age: 22
Games: 70 (2023 games: 25)
Contract ends: 2024
A local junior who has been labelled the next big thing since he came into first grade. But in 2023 he was finally injury free and able to live up to that potential, earning a NSW debut as well as 13 tries for the Knights and 16 try-assists in his biggest season yet.
3 TYSON FRIZELL
Age: 32
Games: 239 (2023 games: 22)
Contract ends: 2026 (2025 player option, 2026 mutual option)
Aside from Dane Gagai, the NSW hardman is the most experienced player in the squad. His pace and energy in defence make him unstoppable on the edge for the Knights, and 2023 was his best season in a few years at the club.
2 DANIEL SAIFITI
Age: 27
Games: 160 (2023 games: 22)
Contract ends: 2026
The local junior is the heart of the Knights’ forward pack along with his twin brother Jacob. The NSW prop is uber consistent, but more than that, he’s a leader off the field in developing the club’s culture.
1 KALYN PONGA
Age: 25
Games: 117 (2023 games: 20)
Contract ends: 2027
The superstar fullback is the icing on top of the Knights squad. He’s their highest-paid player and the number one playmaker in the team, meaning success is almost expected of him. He delivered in 2023 with a remarkable run to the finals that landed him the Dally M Medal.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Rating the Newcastle Knights from 1-29
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