Jets zero in on A-League finals after flush preseason

With a new coach, new CEO, new roster and new style of play, could the Newcastle Jets be ready to end a finals hiatus that has hampered their course for the past seven seasons? 

LOOKING BEYOND: The Jets' squad during 2017/18 preseason training. Photo: Newcastle Jets

Already in their 2017 pre-season campaign they have knocked off Melbourne City, Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.

In 10 trial games over the last three months, the Jets have lost just once in a closed-doors match against their arch-rivals Central Coast Mariners. 

While most of those games have been against inferior opposition, the results are runs on the board; good form.

A cautious assessment of their turnaround over the offseason heeds at suggesting the stars are aligning for the Hunter franchise, but its clear things have changed at the Jets and it’s fair to say their fans should be excited about the season ahead. 

WINNING RUN: Newcastle's results so far this preseason.

After a tumultuous few years following the ownership of Nathan Tinkler, in which the club transitioned from being run by the FFA to eventually being sold to the Chinese Ledman Group, the Jets appear to be a more settled club heading into season 12 of the A-League. 

But it hasn’t come easy.

The wooden-spoon they collected in April was followed by the sacking of then head coach Mark Jones after less than a year in the job. 

His tenure followed the 15-month spell under what the fans were led to believe was a rising coach in Scott Miller, who was touted as one of the best up-and-coming managers in Australian football. 

Miller’s sacking was dealt with by former Central Coast Mariners’ kingpin Lawrie McKinna after just a few weeks into his new Jets’ CEO role. 

Even for the charismatic football veteran, it was some entrance; by all means, one which had the loyalest of fans stirring in dismay at what their team had become. 

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The direction of the club was further questioned once the wooden-spoon was in hand and another coach – Jones – was shown the door.

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But proving old allegiances never die, the wily Scotsman went out and secured the services of countryman and two-time A-League Championship winner Ernie Merrick.  

While Merrick had been on a sabbatical after resigning from the troubled Wellington Phenoix midway through last season and was perhaps considered a risk by some fans, there is no doubting the man’s ability to coach with a career spanning 268 games in-charge and a near four-decade association with the elite levels of football. 

Some astute signings during the mid-year break allowed Merrick to turn-up on day one of preseason with firm optimism about what lay ahead. Recognising the problems that had a plagued Newcastle’s last couple of seasons would be important, but a fresh outlook on what was to come would be essential.

Jets coach Ernie Merrick delivering instructions on Day 2 of pre-season. #ALeague #Newcastle pic.twitter.com/AyGqTxhOXq

— Max McKinney (@MaxMckinney) June 27, 2017

He wasn’t part of the past, so there was little point thinking about it. 

Roy O’Donovan was signed from the Mariners almost immediately after last season finished, Nikolai Topor-Stanley was picked up for a return to the club after four years at the Wanderers and a short stint in Dubai, Daniel Georgievski shifted from Melbourne Victory, and Dimitri Pertratos came from Brisbane Roar to join his brother Kosta – who signed in the January transfer window. 

Whether Merrick was looking for it or not, he’s clearly gained a lot of experience in that crop of signatures. Combined with captain Nigel Boogaard, Jason Hoffman and Wayne Brown, the Jets shouldn’t be short for a leadership group. 

The club’s evolving group of players in Andrew Nabbout, Nick Cowburn and Steven Ugarkovic will benefit from both the strong emphasis of experience in the squad and Merrick’s time spent at the Victorian Institute of Sport before becoming a full-time A-League coach. 

NEW LEADER: Merrick handing out instructions at training. Photo: Newcastle Jets

No doubt Merrick’s focus will be on developing those he has while adding the spice and knowledge of those on the recruited list. 

And the pool of players new to the club was iced with the recruitment of 30-year-old Venezuelan international, Ronald Vergas, just three weeks before the start of the season. 

Ronny, as they call him. 

The final piece of the puzzle according to Merrick. A player who can create goals and score just as many. An out-and-out creative dynamo. 

Signed to play No. 10, the linkage between former Fulham midfielder Wayne Brown, Vargas and striker Roy O’Donovan will be vital to the Jets success. 

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Indeed, it provides a tantalising prospect of the partnerships that could invoke an exciting style of play under the play-to-win desire of Ernie Merrick.

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In the 2016/17 season, the Jets notched just five wins from 27 matches in the A-League. 

A woeful record, really. 

Surprisingly, when they did win; they scored goals. Not once did they win scoring just one goal.

But when they lost, they lost big. Only once in their 15 defeats was it just a single goal they had scored against them. 

The fix? You ask.

With O’Donovan and Vargas ready to add the goals, and Topor-Stanley ready to sure up the defence with Boogaard, there is no reason why the Jets shouldn’t be aiming for the finals if they can remain injury-free.

POLARISING FIGURE: Former Mariners' striker Roy O'Donovan will be in the spotlight this season. Photo: Newcastle Jets

The turnover in players at the club, a fresh outlook, and a successful, confidence-boosting preseason have them locked and loaded for an effective campaign. 

A minimum of 12 wins – just over double what they achieved last season and one more than third-placed Melbourne City in 2016/17 – should be the target. 

It’s bold, but so it should be. 

For a club that has not made the post-season for what’s becoming close to a decade, they must play without fear or in awe of anyone. 

With three home games inside the first five rounds, including an opening-round derby away to the Mariners, by early November it should be clear which way the Jets’ season is headed.   

Perhaps they could have even amassed the perfect start. 

Is four of those targeted 12 wins too audacious? 

SEASON PREDICTION: Fourth. 

The Knights are building something special.

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.

 While some of the players Brown has let go – like Akuila Uate and Robbie Rochow – have been to free-up salary cap space, the loss of Jarrod Mullen before the start of the season has allowed the Knights to continue their roster rejuvenation.

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.

Jarrod Mullen to the English Super League

With the struggling Knights’ in the midst of a rebuild under coach Nathan Brown and Mullen’s continual injury woes, is it time the 29-year-old considered a switch to the English Super League?

Newcastle Knights' five-eighth Jarrod Mullen.

Mullen’s career in the NRL has hit somewhat of a standpoint over the last couple of years, with the Knights’ playmaker hampered by a string of injuries that have kept him on the sidelines just as much as he’s been on the field. 

Last year, Mullen played just ten games for the Knights with Rick Stone and later Danny Buderus at the helm. While in 2014, Mullen made 16 appearances for the Knights in Wayne Bennett’s final year at the club. You have to go back to 2013 to find a time where Mullen played consistent football when he made 26 appearances as the Knights took themselves to a preliminary final. 

In 2016 – and with a fourth coach in as many years – Mullen has been restricted to watching from the stands again after rupturing his hamstring tendon in round 8. All up, Mullen has made 10 appearances so far this season from a possible 20 games. 

After tweaking his hamstring again in last week’s loss to Cronulla, Mullen will again be out for another two weeks. The disappointment and frustration on the Knights’ stalwart was there for all to see as he sat on the bench.

Furthermore, Mullen recently revealed on Fox Sports that he had considered retirement due to his on-going run of injuries.

A one-club player and home-grown talent, Mullen’s time at the Knights before the last couple of years had been fairly consistent. A respectable average of 19 appearances each year since his debut season in 2005, Mullen’s position within the team has been both unquestioned and uncontested across his career. 

But with Newcastle’s strategy to invest in their youth, they have unearthed a potential replacement in the halves with the talented 18-year-old Jack Cogger. While still extremely young in today’s NRL ages, Cogger has emerged as a likely long-term option for the Knights into the future. He has made five handy appearances this year, looks to have a steady head on his shoulders, and appears unfazed about playing at the top-level of the game. 

With an almost ready-to-go replacement, Nathan Brown could be forgiven for giving the injury-affected Mullen a tap on the shoulder to head across to the U.K. 

Arguably easier competition for NRL players to participate in, Mullen would be relieved of the week-to-week rigors that comes with playing in Australia. 

Questions of Mullen’s motivation to be involved in a re-build at the Knights that will likely be in the form of years rather than an off-season should also be raised. 

Newcastle’s turnaround to become truly competitive again will be a while away yet, and having not achieved a great deal of success at the club, a move to a team in the Super League with a chance of achieving something might just be what the near-veteran could be looking for. 

While often considered rugby league’s retirement home, the Super League is slowly beginning to bounce back to a competitive and interesting competition. A move for Mullen should not be considered a step-back in his career, rather a next step – because sometimes a change is as good as a holiday. 

In all likely-hood, Mullen will probably go around again at the Knights next year before considering his options beyond 2017. A tremendous custodian at the club for over a decade, he will want to – and possibly deserves to – leave on his own terms. Jack Cogger may yet need more time to develop in the lower leagues, leaving Mullen another year to finish in his own style.

Jets and Mariners off the mark



Fabio Ferreira scored twice for the Mariners in their 3-2 win over Perth.

Photo credit: Jason Pratt Photography
Source: www.ccmariners.com.au

The Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners both started their seasons in style over the weekend recording wins in round one of the 2015/16 A-League competition. The clubs’ were given little chance to enjoy success this season by the experts with many predicting a finish at the bottom of the ladder. Most commentators had labelled them as re-building or bare of the star players the big-city sides fortuitously possess. But do the two east-coast teams have a genuine chance to kick-on from their solid showings and play consistent football for the rest of the season? Will the Mariners or Jets feature in the finals?

Rebuilding wasn’t in Mariners’ coach Tony Walmsley’s pre-season vocabulary after he appointed himself as the head-coach following an initial worldwide search for Phil Moss’s replacement. What’s clear is Walmsley doesn’t muck around; he has recruited former Sunderland player Roy O’Donovan from wherever he was in the Football world, gone about recruiting some handy players from within Australia, and told anyone who cares that the Mariners will be playing an attacking and exciting brand of football this season.

With the merry years under Graham Arnold long gone, the Mariners struggled to deliver last season and Coach Walmsley knew the club had to bring some spice to the pitch this voyage. Re-establishing their connection with the community has been the focus from owner Mike Charlesworth - who last year flirted with moving matches to the north of Sydney - and part of building and strengthening those bridges is offering a pleasing product. Enter Walmsley and his intentions.

Any sports’ fan just wants to see their team have a crack, and any football fan sure as hell doesn’t go to a football match to see a goalless draw, they want to see the ball put into the back of the net and this is what Walmsley is all about. While the Mariners might not win the majority of their matches this season, at least the fans will be able to walk away having seen a side willing to take risks in order to win the game. On the weekend they played with grit, determination and flair. They backed up Walmsley’s pre-season preaches and ended up having 24 shots on goal, compared to Perth’s 13. Their goals might have come from penalties and a re-bound, but they were loading the cannons and finding their range.

Just like their F3 counterparts, the Newcastle Jets began their pre-season with a new coach. Former Fulham Assistant Coach, Scott Miller, has taken on his first head-coaching role and with Football Australia controlling the club; Miller had little room to spend big on new arrivals. After a mass-exodus following the stripping of the club from Nathan Tinkler, he did however; have to bring in some of his own recruits. The Jets were able to secure new-captain; Nigel Boogaard, defensive-midfielder; Mateo Poljack, and Serbian striker; Milos Trifunović.

The Jets started their round one game against the Wellington Pheonix as big outsiders, but they were able to clinch a victory with goals from former Socceroo, David Carney, and the Serb, Milos Trifunović. Despite being expected to lose the game in New Zealand, Coach Miller interestingly stated after the game that the team fully expected to win the game, showing his high expectations of the side. Many have questioned whether Miller was ready for a Manager’s role, but don’t be fooled, he has spent almost a decade working in and around the English Premier League with Fulham, and that is invaluable experience. So far, he has been all class in his media appearances for the Jets, who are also trying to re-establish a community connection.

Much like the Mariners, the Jets are looking to have a big year both on and off the field after their fallout from the Nathan Tinkler ownership. However with problems come opportunities, and the Jets have a real chance to fire this year and move away from the stench of Tinkler’s reign. They are probably going to wait longer for some sustained success than the Mariners but it’s hard to say they will be waiting long after knocking off one of last year’s best sides in their opening game. The Jets face a real test on the field Saturday night against Sydney FC along with a test of their community engagement at the turnstiles. They have put in some real work to cement a solid association with the Hunter football fans and hopefully the fresh start pays off.

The two teams’ border on each other’s territory and it’s going to fascinating to see how their seasons unfold after their indifferent yet similar winter build ups. They both have new and stimulating coaches; are almost desperately trying to build their link in their respective communities, and have both started the season with impressive victories. Here’s to hoping they can continue to bump shoulders with the big boys in 2015/16.

How good is that photo by Jason Pratt of a celebrating Fabio Ferreira at the picturesque Central Coast Stadium. In the coming weeks Sport/Life/Australia will be reviewing both the Mariners and Jets game-day experiences.

New era of NRL coaches arrives

Fast-tracked or made for the big-time? Trent Barrett has moved quickly from player to coach.

A new era of NRL coaches has arrived with the appointment of Trent Barrett at Manly for 2016, and the instalment of Danny Buderus at Newcastle as interim coach for the rest of this season. Whilst Buderus’ tenure might be temporary, it signals a changing of the guard at the top-flight of Rugby League coaches’ and a transfer of priority and preference from experience, to a younger leader that can more easily relate to today’s player. But with coaches now coming from those who played in the 1990-2000’s, are they entering the role too early and without enough experience?

In recent seasons, coaches that had played the game but did not fulfil their destiny as a player, have excelled and had unprecedented success. Both Trent Robinson and Michael Maguire were respected players in the game, but barely made any in-roads in their first-grade careers. Seeking paths in the game, they turned to coaching and have both travelled far and wide in their committed pursuit to coach at the highest level. They didn’t have a big-name reputation as a player to rely on to earn their spot, but on the contrary, they didn’t have the experiences a big-name player may have had in a long playing career. The debate of if a great player can make a great coach reigns free.

No doubt whatever path a coach takes to the top level, they will be experienced. Robinson and Maguire worked hard as assistants, technical coaches and did whatever they had to, to build their knowledge. Maguire was known to have regularly mowed the grass of the Wigan training fields when he was their coach. Can you imagine Des Hasler cruising across Belmore Oval on a hot summer’s day? Robinson even become a fluent French speaker during his time at the Catalan Dragons in order to be able to liaise with his players, staff and the French community better.

What’s interesting is how players with limited experience as professional have become so successful as coaches. Like the Rabbitohs and Roosters pair, Wayne Bennett was one to have not had a decorated playing career. He, as it turns out, is the most successful coach of all-time. Craig Bellamy played 148 games for the Canberra Raiders during a decade-long career, but he was never the star of the team. He played off the bench in their 1990 premiership win over the Penrith Panthers. What Bellamy did best after his playing career, was go and undertake a long apprenticeship, and he had to as he didn’t have that big name.

The transition from player to coach can be a dangerous path. Some have gone in immediately following their playing career and have struggled. Others have bided their time, gone away from the game, experienced more and come back with great success. Brad Fittler was one who went in too early. After only a few years out of the game he was thrust into the full-time position of Head Coach with the Sydney Roosters. Whilst he has Phil Gould and others to lean on, Fittler hadn’t properly learnt the ropes as a coach. A wonderful player and on-fielder leader, but coaching as it seems, is a different gig all together. Some of the best players will just not make great coaches, it’s simple.

It could be said that Ricky Stuart jumped in too early, and it is only now that Stuart is finding his potential as a coach after working himself out over a number of years, at a number of clubs. Or maybe Stuart has always been the same coach and it’s simply clicking for him out of the Sydney spotlight at his old club. Nathan Brown went in too early, but he has gone to the Super League and had tremendous success, no doubt transforming himself as a coach. The roles that Fittler and Barrett have occupied as Country and City coaches seem like ideal positions for a person seeking a head coaching role to test themselves. Or are these positions more suitable for people like Fittler who enjoy chiming in and out of the sport while holding positions in the media.

What’s clear is next year Trent Barrett will be the Head Coach of a club currently undergoing a transition, and for him it will either be rocks or diamonds. Manly will need to give him time to build a successful first grade team, but they are a club that expects success and in the game today patience is limited, from fans and the power-holders. Danny Buderus, the ultimate clubman, looks like he will one day make a magnificent coach with an unquestionable level of integrity and fierce leadership. But to jump into the Newcastle Knights at a time when the whole club is being questioned, would be a disaster. For his sake, hopefully he sticks to his guns and stays as an assistant for the time being.

A trend appears to be evolving in the game and almost sport in general, that the best coaches are those who have had varied life experiences and had to learn things from the ground up. Des Hasler had a fantastic playing career at Manly, but after it he went and become a high school maths teacher. Wayne Bennet was in the Queensland Police Force, Maguire a physical education teacher before a coach, Craig Bellamy an electrician. Across the globe, Football’s best coach of today, Jose Mourinho, played in only the Portuguese lower leagues. He has held more assistant positions than probably any other coach in the world game, yet now, he is one of the most successful of all time.

Obviously there is more than just the coach, their personality, skills and philosophy involved in order to achieve success. A club has to be pulling in the same direction from top to bottom, resources have to be there and to use a Rugby League saying, you’ve got to have the cattle. But there is no doubting, and no missing the evolution of the successful coaches, they do their time, somewhere, somehow.

"Embarrassing" Knights will miss Kurt Gidley

No other player in the NRL competition plays with as much passion for his side than Kurt Gidley.
Photo: Brett Costello (News Limited)  

Kurt Gidley’s press conference following Newcastle’s loss to Cronulla on Sunday was a show of genuine emotion and passionate love for his club that goes well beyond the money he earns. Gidley labelled the performance an “embarrassment” and claimed he didn’t feel comfortable waving to the fans after the loss. While the Knights have now lost four straight games, their injury-riddled line-up has been boosted by the exciting and long-awaited return of Jake Mamo at fullback. Mamo’s desperation and pulsating play shine light on a new dawn at Newcastle, coupled by the exit of current captain Kurt Gidley at seasons end.

Gidley’s staunch-stance for any Knights’ player to walk out on their contract if they didn’t want to be at the club after Joseph Leilua’s messy mid-season departure to the Canberra Raiders was a leader’s call for a club that appears to be going through a culture change. His comments should have been a clear message to the rest of the squad in the lead up to the Sharks game but after their ninth loss in ten games; the Knights find themselves on equal points at the bottom the ladder.

Gidley is set to move on at years end and will head to the English Super League to join the Warrington Wolves. His decision just over a month ago to head abroad was based on the recognition that the time was right for both him, and the Knights. Gidley chose to go on his own terms, believing the talent that was beginning to come through at the Knights needed opportunities in the main positions he often occupies.

While Mamo and the Mata'utia brothers will form part of the new look Knights squad in the future, Gidley is from the old-school Knights’ era. He debuted in 2001, a time when the Newcastle Knights were flying. The Andrew Johns' driven team was built on hard work and a commradary that other teams could just never reach. The Knights were a ruthless team who put their opponents to the sword; they would front up every week and put on a display that was worthy of dozen beers after the game, regardless of the result. They knew what the team meant to the town, and they played for the people of Newcastle just as much as they played for themselves. They knew Rugby League in Newcastle meant more to the fans than it does for any other club. They felt and held a responsibility.

Kurt Gidley knows this. He built his career on this sort of club culture and has been trying to carry it on ever since the departure of club legend and now immortal, Andrew Johns. Gidley is not a modern footballer as such; he still carries this moral responsibility to the community around. His emotions after Sunday’s loss show this, his call-to-arms for players to leave is further evidence. He’s a locally born and raised player, a one-club man and as loyal as they come. But the question for the Knights is, when Kurt Gidley leaves at the end of the year, who carries this on? While the results haven’t been there for the Knights this year you have to admire the way Gidley’s takes a loss so personally.

At the beginning of the year, the Knights came up with a mission statement to guide the team forward into a new era. After tumultuous years under Nathan Tinkler’s ownership and Wayne Bennet’s reign at the helm, the Knights developed a blueprint to get back to the ways of their glory years. Its guiding statement was to play ‘The Newcastle Way’. With a tough, gritty, uncompromising and never-say-die attitude, that would have other teams dreading the visit to Hunter Stadium. The mantra also forms a new recruitment strategy to muster and develop players from within the Knights system. The departure of Gidley, Scott and Leilua will open up opportunities for those already at the Knights to earn their spot, but playing with ‘The Newcastle Way’ will also have to be built by the young squad, as this year it is just not there.

With what should be one the most formidable forward packs in the competition, the knights aren’t living up to their own professed standards. They have been dealt a cruel blow with another mid to long term injury to key playmaker Jarrod Mullen, but the with the likes of Kade Snowden, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith and the Sims’ brothers playing up front, the Knights should be well beyond where they are currently are. Having rid themselves of the lazy and lethargic Leilua, the Knights outside back should now be ready to hit the line firing with youngsters Mamo, Mata’utia and Gagai syncing with the veteran James McManus and former Fijian-flyer Akuila Uate. The ever-reliable Gidley has occupied more positions than an employment agency temp worker, and played a dependable role at halfback on the weekend but the chop and change shifting around of Gidley never really helps team consistency.

The Knights face an old-foe in the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night in what should be a classic match replicating the by-gone era of Knights dominance, but the side of 2015 will have to compete with another depleted line-up. Back in the day the Knights would have relished coming into a game as such underdogs against the competition heavyweights, but whether they can find that old ‘Newcastle Way’ again remains to be seen. They’re sure yet to prove it this year.