The struggle on the Hunter over the past few seasons have been very public. A string of coaching appointments, a change in ownership, the overpaying of players, and a collection of wooden spoons.
The club has been linked with a line of superstar recruits who could really kick-start a rebuilding process, but ultimately have missed out each time. Other players who have signed have underwhelmed.
Moving into 2018 though, there seems to be just that little flicker of light. Some clever signings, a few downright brilliant signings, and the stability that comes with a long-term vision by a committed coach seem to have the Knights heading in the right direction.
Ponga, Watson, Levi, Lamb. Four extremely talented young players who will make up the Newcastle spin in 2018 and beyond. There is no reason to be anything other than positive when thinking about the future of the red and blue.
Step forward one of the most ridiculous reports I have ever read. There is, and this is genuine, a chance that the Knights will be fined heading into 2018 for ... get this ... UNDERSPENDING!?
That's right, there are legitimate rules in place to stop teams from spending too little in their salary cap.
On the surface, it's not a bad idea. I can't really think of a situation where a team could rort this to advantage, but I'm sure it's there somewhere.
Here though, the Knights should not be penalised considering the situation they were in, and even more-so the situation they are now in.
That situation is they have been able to attract a host of young, talented recruits, without overpaying for their services.
It's not like the Knights haven't been super busy on the player market either. They're certainly not resting on their laurels.
Knights 2025 Player Movements
| 2025 Gains | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taj Annan (2027), Matt Arthur (Parramatta Eels, 2025), Francis Manuleleua (Penrith Panthers, 2027), James Schiller (Canberra Raiders, 2027) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Armstrong (Leigh Leopards), Jed Cartwright (Hull FC), Tom Jenkins (released), Myles Martin (Canberra Raiders), Fletcher Myers (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daniel Saifiti (The Dolphins), Enari Tuala (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Re-Signed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bradman Best (2027), Thomas Cant (2026), Mat Croker (2025), Dane Gagai (2027), Tyson Gamble (2026), Cody Hopwood (2028), Brodie Jones (2025), Dylan Lucas (2027), Jermaine McEwen (2027), Jacob Saifiti (2027) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off Contract 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jayden Brailey, Paul Bryan, Mat Croker, Adam Elliott, Jackson Hastings, Jack Hetherington, Brodie Jones, Riley Jones, Kai Pearce-Paul, Will Pryce, Sebastian Su'a, Leo Thompson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rumours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The above are the players arriving (or in Kenny-Doawll's case, already arrived) on the Hunter for pre-season training.
Ese'ese, Guerra, SKD, Lillyman, Watson, Ponga and Moga are all starters, while Heighington will come off the bench. That is seven run-on positions that the Knights have upgraded as they head into the 2018 season. Eight of 17. Almost half the first choice squad.
It's also not a case of the Knights not being willing to spend big to keep their big names either. They've only lost Dane Gagai in terms of genuine first team players.
They've also re-signed Barnett, Levi, the Saifitis, Yates and Fitzgibbon. All players with big futures at the club.
Throw in the unexpected release of Jarrod Mullen who was on a big contract. They certainly can't be held to blame for that in any way.
They've actively chased big-name players such as Jack Bird, James Maloney and are ready to pounce on Mitchell Pearce should decide to leave the Roosters.
Given the recent lack of results on the field and the struggles off-field, I think the Knights have done extremely well to build a roster for 2018 that many consider ready to play finals footy.
The squad does lack that genuine game-breaking superstar, but who is to say Ponga or Watson won't be exactly that come round 10?
If a club builds a squad they deem ready to challenge for finals footy, why would the NRL step in a fine them, if they 'underspend'?
To be honest I'd never heard that clause in the salary cap set up before. When I did hear it, I didn't believe it could be true.
Do the NRL want clubs to overpay players to balance books? That didn't work out too well for the Knights last time they overpaid players coming to the end of their careers. Actually, the club suffered for years as they tried to move these players on. Most didn't leave the club as no other club was willing to match terms on contracts.
There is a genuine suggestion that Newcastle may have to front-load playing contracts to be salary cap compliant. I'm not making this up, I swear.
That is also chock full of danger. Say Jarryd Hayne does become available in round five. Newcastle, having front-loaded contracts, would now have far less money to offer to Hayne, a genuine star who could turn club fortunes around.
It's absolutely ridiculous.
Newcastle has built a side capable of some exciting things. They have a big war chest available to chase players who may become available over the off-season or early next year.
If the Knights start well, big name players will be encouraged to sign for the club. Look at the Sharks. A few seasons ago, they couldn't sign anyone with options anywhere else. This season they've signed a current Kangaroo centre and a former (and likely future) NSW Blue and Kangaroo rep.
The salary cap is there to even the playing field. It shouldn't hinder clubs who haven't been able to fill their cap. Any move to fine the Knights, as a result, should be laughed at.
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