Coming off a memorable season in 2023, the Newcastle Knights had some big expectations for 2024. Losing Dominic Young was a massive loss for us Knights fans but that’s part of the game.
I think I’ll begin with some of the negatives to get that part off my chest. We had too many halves pairings, which meant we had to chop and change our gameplay multiple times, Kalyn Ponga being out injured didn’t help our cause, nor did other inopportuneinjuries we had such as Bradman Best and Tyson Gamble. We scored the least amount of tries and were second last in attack.
Let’s move to the other side of the table with the positivity. Defensively, despite conceding more tries and points than last season, we ranked 11th in tries conceded, 12th in points conceded and despite all the mishaps and setbacks, we still fought valiantly to make the eight.
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Last year, the bar was set at fifth and progressing to the second week of the finals. This year, we were unable to match either one of those standards. While I’ll call the season a pass for making finals, there are some things that could have panned out differently.
Now let’s discuss our finals game. North Queensland struck first with Kyle Feldt’s intercept to lead 4-0 and Newcastle struck back with two tries to lead 12-4 at the break. The Cowboys came out in the second half ready to fight with two tries to take the lead 16-12. Dylan Lucas struck back for Newcastle to make it 16-all and after the Knights blew a chance to take the lead, North Queensland made them suffer to finish the match 28-16.
Kalyn Ponga. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
I was very disappointed with my team, absolutely frustrated with how they blew it and was in total rage. It would have been nice if that was against the machine. However, I’ll be humble enough to give the Cowboys their credit and congratulate them on their victory.
I do have some standout players I would like to mention.
1. Dylan Lucas – This year he really solidified himself as a first grader. Whether in the second row or centres, he knew his role and did it to the best of his ability. I see massive improvement for that young lad.
2. Dane Gagai – To me, I would daringly say he was the best player for the Knights. He puts in 110 per cent every game, plays with his heart and doesn’t seem to age at all. Just like fine wine, he’s gotten better with age. At the risk of sounding like a prima donna, if he doesn’t win a premiership with the Knights, it’d be borderline criminal.
3. Phoenix Crossland – When it comes down to who I think is the hardest-working player for the Knights, I wouldn’t look any further than Phoenix. Whether he plays at dummy half, the halves or lock, he knows how to perform his role. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the first one to arrive and last one to leave training.
Fletcher Sharpe scores a try. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
4. Fletcher Sharpe – I saved the best for last. Young Razor Sharpe has been brilliant from the very second he ran out on his debut when Newcastle went down to Melbourne to take on the Storm. He scored a try in his first game and looked like the best in a losing side. In 12 games, he’s already notched 11 tries to his name, including a four-try haul against the Tigers and a hat-trick against the Titans. He has made the right wing his own spot and formed a great partnership with Dane Gagai, which will only grow stronger and better.
Now I have written all I felt was required for that analysis, it felt like I let a lot off my chest. However, I still have some more to let out. Since our acquisition of Peter Parr, our club has gone in a better direction on and off the field. Signing Peter O’Sullivan for recruiting was the cherry on top and it now feels like our pathways are back on track.
While I look forward to seeing what next year holds for the Knights men’s team, our women’s side is still charging well in the NRLW and I can’t wait to see them take on North Queensland.
Now Roarers, I have said my share and I’ll leave it up to you. How would you rate how the Knights went this season? The floor is yours.
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