2024 Preview: Newcastle Knights

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After a huge second half of 2023, Newcastle are on track for a big 2024. Lachlan McIntyre looks at what they might serve up this year.

Magic momentum key for inconsistent Knights

Finishing just three competition points short of the club's first top four finish since 2006, the Newcastle Knights showed plenty of courage throughout 2023 which they will want to carry over into the new season. But consistency throughout the year will be needed after a polarising previous season, one that went all the way to a defeat in the second week of finals against the Warriors. 

Although they've lost their top try scorer of 2023 in Dominic Young to the Roosters, the Knights have made a few handy signings for 2024, most notably Super League imports Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce. Jack Cooger returns to the club where he made his NRL debut, creating a fight with Tyson Gamble for the number six jersey. Cogger's signing will prove even more important due to the loss of valuable utility Kurt Mann.

The Knights head south to meet Cronulla in Gosford in their first official pre-season hit out, before a history-making clash with the Melbourne Storm at the Kaiviti Silktails' home ground in Lautoka, Fiji. A twelve day turnaround will see them back at home against the Canberra Raiders to kick-off the NRL season-proper in a Thursday night clash - what will be the first NRL match of 2024 to be played on Australian soil.

Why they'll win it

If the Knights are to win the 2024 NRL Premiership it will be off the back of momentum. Newcastle went on a ten game winning streak heading into the finals in 2023, with each win just building the hype. The diehard support for the club at their home stadium helped to build the club's confidence as they continued their streak. If Newcastle have some luck fall their way in the early rounds, they could find themselves powering through the origin period in the top four and hold on in there until October. The level of consistency required will be a definite challenge for the Knights though. 

Why they won't

In 2023 the Knights' just couldn't deliver against the top teams. With just two wins out of six matches against the top four sides, Newcastle must step up a few notches in 2024 if they are to seriously challenge the teams who are in the race for the title. The team to beat, Penrith, met with the Knights twice last season, with Newcastle struggling to close out the games in two tight losses. It would be highly unexpected if Newcastle could manage to close out games consistently against teams like the Panthers and Broncos.

Player movement

Key players

2023 was an absolute roller coaster for Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga. Ponga started the season with a sickening head knock which kick-started retirement fears, and finished 2023 with the Dally M medal to his name. He featured in only twenty matches due to his stint on the sidelines, but in those racked up 21 try assists and 19 line breaks to bring the Knights back from the brink. Despite a brief experiment in halves, Ponga is expected to slot back into the number one jersey in 2024. Ponga staying fit will be key to Newcastle's success this season, and he will have the personal motivation of vying for a return to the Queensland Maroons side. 

Breakthrough player

With key second row forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon departing Newcastle for the Warrington Wolves after nine seasons for the Knights in first grade, an important spot in the forward pack opens up. When Fitzgibbon faced injury issues last year, that spot was handed to 23 year old Dylan Lucas. Lucas made his NRL debut off the bench in round three last season, before playing a further six games as a starting number 12. This is the year where Lucas will want to crack into the 17 consistently week on week, and his performances will be key to the success of the Knights' forward rotation. 

Best 17

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Greg Marzhew
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Tom Jenkins

6. Tyson Gamble
7. Jackson Hastings

8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Dylan Lucas
13. Adam Elliott

Interchange: 14. Jacob Saifiti 15. Jed Cartwright 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Phoenix Crossland

2024 fixture list

All times AET (Newcastle local time)