Newcastle are competitive again. They’ve
been able to turn a year from hell into a pre-season of motivation and have rediscovered
their spirit within just three rounds of a new NRL campaign. While the Knights’
wobbles and woes are far from over, they are on the right path to return as one
of the competition’s flagship clubs. Not the best, not the biggest; but one you
can look at and appreciate what they’ve built. Here’s why...
Under head coach Nathan Brown, the Knights
have been more than happy to let any name walk out the door if they aren’t
committed to the club for the long haul. The Sims’ brothers – arguably two of the
best prospective forwards in the game – were virtually handed one-way plane
tickets out of the Hunter, so easily their departures seemed. Brown has been
open to anyone exploring their options and hasn’t hesitated in granting a
release.
This attitude, although risky, has led to a
playing group developing who put simply – want to be there. A culture appears
to have been created around hard work, team spirit and togetherness which
hasn’t been seen in the red and blue jersey for quite some years.
 |
| Nathan Ross has been instrumental to the Knights turnaround; always optimistic, a team-player and full of desire. |
Indeed, the loss of Mullen signals a
complete changing of the guard as he was the last remaining remnant form the
back-end of the glory years. The 2017 squad now feels fresh, like a new leaf
has been turned over or the next chapter has begun.
While Mullen’s absence is a big hole to
fill and no-one could doubt his commitment to the side, the club are now better
positioned to bring some of their young and potentially potent halves through
from the lower grades. Brock Lamb and Jack Cogger have both proven they are
close to capable week-in week-out NRL players, and in future years – should his
talent develop – Jack Johns, son of Matthew, may find a home in Brown’s squad.
A tantalizing fantasy that is not out of the realm of possibility.
Furthermore, Mullen’s departure now means
Brown can divert future funds across his line-up. Having already secured the
services of rising young-gun Kalyn Ponga, Brown and his recruitment staff have
shown their intent by openly pursuing a pack-leader in Matt Scott and a flashy
outside-back in Jack Bird.
Brown himself has been one of the club’s
best signings. The way he handled his first season – which was one of the
league’s poorest on record – with an open honesty about his club’s situation,
shows his commitment to the long-term rebuild and the faith he has in their
plans.
 |
| Brown has returned from the Super League much more sure of himself and his methods. |
Crucially, Brown has been able to turn his
players from perennial losers into a side striving to achieve better
performances and hungry for success. Look no further than round two’s inspiring
victory over the Titans.
When scoring the match-winning try – his fourth
of the season – Knights winger Nathan Ross forewent his desire to perform a
backflip, after previously stating he was waiting for such a moment to complete
one.
He preferred to adopt a modest celebration
with the team as they were swept into the McDonald Jones Stadium fence and into
the arms of the Newcastle fans. Ross spoke after the match citing the group
mentality the side now possess, and indicated that such a celebration would
take the focus off the team and onto an individual.
 |
| Ross and his teammates celebrate his try against the Titans in Round 2. |
While easy to overlook, don’t under estimate
Ross’ actions. They show, along with his knowledge that you’re only as good as
your last game, the Knights have become a competitive squad.
Ross, the franchise’s ‘cult-hero’ and his
side’s ultimate team-player, had then scored two tries in each of the Knights
opening two games this season. His position should have been safer than anyone’s,
and after 336 days without a win it’s fair to say Nathan Brown wouldn’t have
cared if he finished with a Mundine-esque backflip. But he wasn’t taking his
position for granted. That’s the sign of a focussed individual and a committed
footballer.
It speaks volumes about the influence of
Nathan Brown and the mentality the Knights are working towards. If Brown can
spread Ross’ character right through his young side, then Newcastle are headed
in only one way.
If what goes up must come down, perhaps for
the Knights what goes down is now coming back up. After two wooden-spoons in a
row, the sale and collapse of their club, multiple coaches, surprising scandals
and a complete overturn of their roster, the Knights are now entrenched in the
stability of building the foundations of their castle that once stood high atop
the rugby league land.
Give it time, maybe a year or two, maybe
more, but Newcastle are becoming a castle again.