Newcastle Knights Half Yearly Report

After a stirring 22-18 victory over the Canberra Raiders on Monday night, Newcastle can be proud of their efforts as we move into the second half of the 2007 season.

The Knights sit in 7th position on the premiership table, just ahead of the Sharks with a game in hand. Although the unflattering for-and-against of -118 is something of a concern.

This year has been a particularly turbulent one under new coach Brian Smith. The retirement of Andrew Johns was something most Novocastrions thought may never happen, but with Joey hanging around the joint and new halves pairing Luke Walsh and Jarrod Mullen running around, things seem back to normal.

Smith has certainly wielded the axe at the club, and after initial outbursts of fury from fans, seems to have won them over with several astute purchases.

The immediate release of Clint Newton to the Melbourne Storm was the most controversial, but since then the Knights have picked up Luke MacDougall, Ben Cross, Danny Wicks, Chris Houston and Wes Naiqama and more appear likely to follow.

Adam Woolnough