2024 review: Newcastle Knights

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Rob Crosby dissects Newcastle's 2024 campaign which saw the Novocastrians sneak into the finals - just.

The Newcastle Knights spent just three weeks inside the top eight during the duration of the home-and-away season. But when it mattered most, they found a way to be there in September.

Securing eighth position with a final round winner-takes-all victory over the Dolphins on Old Boys Day, the Knights achieved a result few expected - for better and worse - in 2024.

Beginning the new campaign with optimism of exceeding the heights of last season, the Knights were off the pace from the opening round and hit panic stations when a foot injury to Kalyn Ponga ruled the reigning Dally M winner out for ten weeks as the side slumped to 15th on the ladder.

Managing to stay in touch with the finals during the middle third despite major instability in the halves, coach Adam O'Brien's hopes of another late season revival appeared dead and gone in the wake of a golden point loss to the Sharks that left the side four points adrift of the top eight with three matches remaining.

What followed can only be described as rugby league's Steven Bradbury moment as the Knights surged while rival teams imploded to clinch eighth position and set up an elimination final date with the Cowboys in Townsville. 

Holding a 12-4 lead at the break and a 16-all deadlock going into the final ten minutes, the Knights had their chances as Ponga bamboozled the Cowboys with every touch only to come up short.

It's hard to judge 2024 as a success of failure for the Newcastle Knights.

O'Brien reached the finals for the fourth time in five years, overseeing a side that found the resilience to reach September and simultaneously failed to reach great heights.

Ultimately, the Knights bowed out doing what nine other teams failed to achieve.

Turning Point

Coming into the ANZAC Round with just two wins from their first seven matches and Ponga sidelined with a long-term foot injury, the Knights were faced with a choice: give in without their star fullback or find the resolve to win through sheer effort.

Having failed to live up to expectations thus far, the Knights decided that 2024 was a season worth fighting for.

Responding with a golden run of gritty victories over the Dolphins (18-14), Warriors (14-8), Tigers (20-14) and Titans (28-24) to resurrect their campaign heading into the representative season, the catalyst for the turnaround came in the form of unheralded fullback David Armstrong.

Bringing speed and exuberance to complement the no frills approach displayed by his teammates, the 23-year-old crossed for five tries is as many appearances, including a hat-trick in Magic Round, to earn rave reviews and a contract extension.

Falling out of favour after a rough night against the Bulldogs that saw young gun Fletcher Sharpe preferred, Armstrong negotiated a release to take up a longer-term deal with Super League club Leigh under the guise of establishing himself as a fullback.

The Armstrong era was short-lived at Newcastle, yet the impact was immense in steadying the Knights back on course for an eventual top eight finish.

What worked

The Knights never hit a high watermark of greatness throughout the season, yet rather their success was based in remaining close enough all year.

Finishing the regular season with a 50% win/loss record and the second-worst attack in the league, the side recorded two-thirds of their victories by eight points or less while losing seven matches within the same margin, including two golden point defeats to the Cowboys (21-20) and Sharks (19-18).

Defeating only one top eight team from ten attempts and suffering dreadful days against the Bulldogs (36-12 and 32-2) and Sea Eagles (44-6), O'Brien's charges still managed to stay within four points of the finals all season.

Recapturing glimpses of their best over the closing rounds - at the same time opposition teams imploded in spectacular fashion - the Knights managed to control their own finals destiny with a 14-6 victory over the Dolphins in the last game of the home-and-away season.

What didn't work

O'Brien's inability to stick solid in the halves was a recurring issue with half a dozen combinations used at six and seven throughout the season.

Beginning 2024 with Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble preferred off the strength of their efforts the previous year, the recruitment of Jack Cogger complicated matters with the journeyman signing as a back-up playmaker but returning home with a reputation as a game-breaking premiership winner.

The dilemma of trying to fit three halves into two positions hampered the side's attack and the lack of consistency only intensified when English utility Will Pryce stepped into the fold mid-year.

Finally, Phoenix Crossland had the chance to put aside the utility tag and show his wares in the number seven jersey as part of a combination that delivered short-term success but little to suggest longevity for years to come.

The Knights didn't have a halves pairing that lasted more than four matches and, in spite of that inconsistency, they still managed to play finals football. One can only imagine what they might be capable of with a six and seven afforded the time to thrive...

2024 week-by-week

Best player

The Knights were at their lowest point when Dane Gagai won his first Danny Buderus Medal as a shining light amid the bleakness of 2016. Eight years on, the veteran outside back achieved the same honour, standing tall as the leader the club needed to save their season.

Producing some of his finest performances in the red and blue jersey during the side's resurgence prior to State of Origin, the 33-year-old centre revelled in the captaincy to earn a deserved recall for Queensland in the Game III decider and a new deal at the club, spurning an offer from the Roosters.

Causing opposition defences havoc with the ball and creating a tonne of opportunities for Fletcher Sharpe to do likewise in the run towards September, Gagai's commitment to the Knights will see him bring up 200 games with the club - and 300 NRL games overall - next season.

Rookies

Fletcher Sharpe was the pick of four Newcastle rookies to debut in first grade with the Maitland junior crossing for 11 tries in 12 appearances, including a four-try haul against the Tigers, to announce himself as a star of the future.

Making an eye-catching introduction to first grade with a series of dashing performances at fullback, the 20-year-old shifted to the wing where he become the first Newcastle rookie since Brad Tighe to finish a season as the club's leading try-scorer, before completing a dream year with selection in the Prime Minister's XIII team.

Fellow fullback David Armstrong shone brightly during a short stint in first grade with five tries in as many matches, while Kyle McCarthy overcame a rocky start to produce 150 metres and five tackle breaks in his lone appearance at centre.

Sebastian Su'a is expected to push for regular game time next year following the departure of Daniel Saifiti; the Kiwi born front-rower had the rare distinction of debuting after being activated as 18th man and finished a 12-minute stint by being sent to the sin bin.

The Knights also introduced English duo Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce to Australian audiences; Pearce-Paul was strong defensively in 22 appearances and Pryce shapes as an unrealised attacking gem after a try-scoring turn on debut

2024 player record

Season snapshot

Coach: Adam O'Brien
Captains: Kalyn Ponga (16), Dane Gagai (4), Tyson Frizell (4), Jayden Brailey (1)

Biggest home crowd: 29,433 (vs. Dolphins in round 27)
Average home crowd: 22,635

Top pointscorer: Kalyn Ponga (106)
Top tryscorer: Fletcher Sharpe (11)

Club awards

Player of the Year (Danny Buderus Medal) - Dane Gagai
NRL Players' Player - Dane Gagai
Gladiator of the Year - Dane Gagai
NRL Rookie of the Year - Fletcher Sharpe
Community Player of the Year - Dylan Lucas
Knight in Shining Armour - Tyson Frizell
NSW Cup Player of the Year - Tom Cant
NSW Cup Players' Player - Jaxson Rahme
Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year - Jack Cullen
Jersey Flegg Cup Players' Player - Fletcher Hunt

Looking Ahead

The shortcomings of Newcastle's 2024 campaign were papered over by a top eight finish, but questions still very much remain over the make-up of the side going forward.

Coach O'Brien will need to resolve the merry-go-round of halves to give the side the best chance of success, along with finessing a much-publicised salary cap alongside Peter O'Sullivan to sustain success into the future.

Recruitment has been minimal with Canberra signing James Schiller set to push for a spot in the backline, while the void left by Daniel Saifiti's departure will likely be filled internally with Sebastian Su'a, Cody Hopwood and Jermaine McEwen touted as future first-graders.

There are plenty of issues still to be resolved on and off the field at Newcastle, but if Kalyn Ponga can enjoy an injury-free run there is no knowing how far the Knights can go in 2025. 

2025's Best 17

based on current signings at time of writing

1.    Kalyn Ponga (C)
2.    Fletcher Sharpe
3.    Dane Gagai
4.    Bradman Best
5.    Greg Marzhew
6.    Tyson Gamble
7.    Jack Cogger
8.    Jacob Saifiti
9.    Phoenix Crossland
10.  Leo Thompson
11.  Tyson Frizell
12.  Dylan Lucas
13.  Adam Elliott

14.  Jayden Brailey
15.  Mat Croker
16.  Jack Hetherington
17.  Kai Pearce-Paul