2021 Newcastle Knights season

Last updated

2021 Newcastle Knights season
NRL Rank7th
Play-off resultElimination Finalists (Week 1)
2021 recordWins: 12; draws: 0; losses: 12
Points scoredFor: 428; against: 571
Team information
CEO Phil Gardner
Coach Adam O'Brien
Captain
Stadium McDonald Jones Stadium
Avg. attendance17,636
High attendance23,015
Top scorers
Tries Enari Tuala (13)
Goals Jake Clifford (33)
Points Jake Clifford (74)
←  2020 2022  →

The 2021 Newcastle Knights season was the 34th in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and co-captained by Jayden Brailey, Kalyn Ponga and Daniel Saifiti, they competed in the NRL's 2021 Telstra Premiership. In July, the NRL relocated the competition to Queensland to avoid an outbreak of the Deltra variant COVID-19 virus in New South Wales. [1] The Knights finished the regular season in 7th place (out of 16), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the Parramatta Eels in week 1.

Contents

Squad

Newcastle Knights 2021 squad
2021 NRL top 30 squadDevelopment playersCoaching staff

Extended squad players

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 9 November 2021
Source(s): Newcastle Knights Profiles,
Rugby League Project

Transfers and Re-signings

Gains

Player/CoachPrevious ClubLengthSource
McKenzie Baker Sydney Roosters 2021 [2]
Zane Camroux Wests Tigers 2021 [3]
Tyler Coburn Ipswich Jets Pre-season [4]
Jake Clifford North Queensland Cowboys 2023 [5]
Tyson Frizell St. George Illawarra Dragons 2023 [6]
Bailey Hodgson Castleford Tigers 2023 [7]
Jack Johns South Sydney Rabbitohs 2021 [8]
Jacob Kiraz North Queensland Cowboys 2021 [9]
Blake Lenehan Ipswich Jets Pre-season [4]
Brayden Musgrove Cessnock Goannas 2022 [10]
Andrew Ryan (NSW Cup coach) South Newcastle Lions 2021 [11]
Garrett Smith North Queensland Cowboys 2021 [12]
Sauaso Sue Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2022 [13]
Dom Young Huddersfield Giants 2023 [14]

Losses

Player/CoachClubSource
Jack Cameron South Sydney Rabbitohs [15]
Matt Cooper Lakes United [16]
Herman Ese'ese Gold Coast Titans [17]
Beau Fermor Gold Coast Titans [18]
David Furner (assistant coach) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs [19]
Tim Glasby Retirement [20]
Tony Gleeson (NSW Cup coach)Released
Aidan Guerra Retirement [21]
Danny Levi Manly Warringah Sea Eagles [22]
Mason Lino Wakefield Trinity [23]
Toby Marks Canberra Raiders [24]
Sione Mata'utia St Helens R.F.C. [25]
Andrew McCullough Brisbane Broncos [26]
Tautau Moga South Sydney Rabbitohs [27]
Tyronne Roberts-Davis Wests Tigers [28]
Brandon Russell Tweed Heads Seagulls [29]
Bayden Searle Macquarie Scorpions [30]
PlayerJunior sideSource
Harry Croker Knights Jersey Flegg Cup [31]
Cooper Jenkins Knights Jersey Flegg Cup [32]
Christian Ma'anaima Knights Jersey Flegg Cup [33]
Jaron Purcell Knights Jersey Flegg Cup [2]
Daniel Ticehurst Knights Jersey Flegg Cup [34]
Chris Vea'ila Knights S. G. Ball Cup [35]

Change of role

Player/CoachNew roleSource
Adam Bettridge (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)Knights S. G. Ball Cup assistant coach [36]
Luke Huth Knights NSW Cup [37]
Rory Kostjasyn (Knights development coach)Knights NRL assistant coach [38]
Eric Smith (Knights development coach)Knights NRL assistant coach [38]

Re-signings

Player/CoachRe-signed toSource
Bradman Best 2024 [39]
Jayden Brailey 2025 [40]
Lachlan Fitzgibbon 2023 [41]
Hymel Hunt 2023 [42]
Brodie Jones 2023 [43]
Kurt Mann 2023 [44]
Adam O'Brien (head coach)2024 [45]
Mitchell Pearce 2022 [46]
Daniel Saifiti 2026 [47]
Jacob Saifiti 2024 [47]
Starford To'a 2023 [48]

Player contract situations

2021 (left)20222023202420252026
Tyler Coburn [49] McKenzie Baker [50] Mitchell Barnett [51] Bradman Best [39] Jayden Brailey [40] Daniel Saifiti [47]
Blake Green [52] Mitch Black [53] Jake Clifford [5] Jacob Saifiti [47]
Zac Hosking [54] Zane Camroux [53] Lachlan Fitzgibbon [41] Kalyn Ponga [55]
Josh King [56] Harry Croker [31] Tyson Frizell [6]
Jacob Kiraz [57] Mat Croker [58] Bailey Hodgson [7]
Blake Lenehan [49] Phoenix Crossland [59] Hymel Hunt [42]
Christian Ma'anaima [60] Tex Hoy [61] Jack Johns [59]
Mitchell Pearce [62] Cooper Jenkins [50] Brodie Jones [43]
Gehamat Shibasaki [63] Edrick Lee [64] David Klemmer [65]
Garrett Smith [66] Dylan Lucas [50] Kurt Mann [44]
Matt Soper-Lawler [67] Jirah Momoisea [68] Chris Randall [59]
Starford To'a [69] Brayden Musgrove [10] Enari Tuala [70]
Connor Watson [71] Jaron Purcell [72] Chris Vea'ila [73]
Simi Sasagi [74] Dom Young [14]
Pasami Saulo [75]
Sauaso Sue [13]
Daniel Ticehurst [34]

Ladder

2021 NRL season
PosTeamPldWDLBPFPAPDPts
1 Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm 2421031815316+49944
2 Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2020 colours.svg Penrith Panthers (P)2421031676286+39044
3 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs 2420041775453+32242
4 Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2416081744492+25234
5 Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Sydney Roosters 2416081630489+14134
6 Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels 2415091566457+10932
7 Newcastle colours.svg Newcastle Knights 24120121428571−14326
8 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg Gold Coast Titans 24100141580583−322
9 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24100141520556−3622
10 Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders 24100141481578−9722
11 St. George colours.svg St. George Illawarra Dragons 2480161474616−14218
12 Auckland colours.svg New Zealand Warriors 2480161453624−17118
13 Wests Tigers colours.svg Wests Tigers 2480161500714−21418
14 Brisbane colours.svg Brisbane Broncos 2470171446695−24916
15 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys 2470171460748−28816
16 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2430211340710−3708

Milestones

Jerseys and sponsors

In 2021, the Knights' jerseys were made by O'Neills and their major sponsor was nib Health Funds.

2021 Home Jersey2021 Away Jersey2021 Heritage Jersey2021 Indigenous Jersey2021 NSW Mining Jersey
Newcastle Knights heritage jersey 2009.png Newcastle Knights home jersey 2001.svg

Fixtures

Pre-season Trials

DateOpponentVenueScoreTriesConversionsAttendance
Saturday, 27 February Melbourne colours.svg Melbourne Storm Albury Sports Ground 10–30 D.Lucas, D.Young C.Randall (1/1)
Legend:   Win  Loss  Draw

Statistics

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField GoalsPointsCaptainAge
Mitchell Barnett 24413042027
Bradman Best 1730012020
Jayden Brailey 23300122025
Jake Clifford 13233074023
Mat Croker 20000022
Phoenix Crossland 91106021
Lachlan Fitzgibbon 1030012027
Tyson Frizell 1930012030
Blake Green 60000035
Tex Hoy 716016022
Hymel Hunt 1740016028
Jack Johns 61004024
Brodie Jones 2230012023
Josh King 181004026
David Klemmer 210000028
Kurt Mann 2230113028
Jirah Momoisea 30000023
Brayden Musgrove 71004023
Mitchell Pearce 1230113032
Kalyn Ponga 15810052523
Chris Randall 52008026
Daniel Saifiti 20300121725
Jacob Saifiti 2330012025
Simi Sasagi 20000020
Pasami Saulo 30000023
Gehamat Shibasaki 31004023
Sauaso Sue 232008029
Starford To'a 1260024021
Enari Tuala 25130052023
Connor Watson 252008025
Dom Young 640016020
Totals2580632448–Average: 25

31 players used.

Source: [76]

Representative honours

The following players appeared in a representative match or were named in a representative squad in 2021.

Emerging Blues squad

New South Wales

Queensland

Individual honours

Newcastle Knights awards

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References

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  2. 1 2 "Knights v Cessnock trial team list". Newcastle Knights. 16 February 2021.
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  33. ↑ "Promising forward Ma'anaima signs NRL deal". Newcastle Knights. 1 August 2020.
  34. 1 2 "NRL 2020: transfers, contracts, Esan Marsters stays at the Cowboys, Danny Levi, Manly, Newcastle Knights". 6 November 2020.
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  38. 1 2 "'This is everything we want in our staff': O'Brien reveals 2021 coaching team". Newcastle Knights. 18 December 2020.
  39. 1 2 "Bradman Best extends Knights deal". Newcastle Knights. 2 March 2021.
  40. 1 2 "Extended: Brailey a Knight until 2025". Newcastle Knights. 5 September 2021.
  41. 1 2 "Lachlan Fitzgibbon inks new Knights contract". Newcastle Knights. 1 September 2021.
  42. 1 2 "Hymel Hunt extends Knights contract". Newcastle Knights. 16 July 2021.
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  49. 1 2 "Round 5 Intrust Super Cup teams". Queensland Rugby League. 20 April 2021.
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  53. 1 2 "2022 Round 1 NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg team lists". Newcastle Knights. 8 March 2022.
  54. ↑ "Updated Team List: Titans v Broncos". Brisbane Broncos. 18 February 2022.
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  58. ↑ "Titan Sports Management". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
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  60. ↑ "New faces hit the field for pre-season training". Wests Tigers. 4 November 2021.
  61. ↑ "Full NRL squad and development list for 2022 season". Newcastle Knights. 2 March 2022.
  62. ↑ "Statement: Mitchell Pearce". Newcastle Knights. 14 November 2021.
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  64. ↑ "Knights re-sign Edrick Lee". Newcastle Knights. 2 March 2022.
  65. ↑ "Knights secure Origin and Test enforcer Klemmer". 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  66. ↑ Pryde, Scott (8 November 2021). "Warriors confirm 12 train and trial contracts for 2022". Zero Tackle.
  67. ↑ Hartshorn, Michael (23 February 2022). "Maitland Pickers' Matt Soper-Lawler leaves door open with Knights". The Maitland Mercury.
  68. ↑ "Promising youngster Momoisea extends NRL deal". Newcastle Knights. 28 January 2020.
  69. ↑ "Wests Tigers sign Starford To'a". Wests Tigers. 13 January 2022.
  70. ↑ "Tuala extends Knights contract". Newcastle Knights. 22 November 2021.
  71. ↑ "Connor Watson to Return to Roosters in 2022". Sydney Roosters. 17 August 2021.
  72. ↑ "Titan Sports Management". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  73. ↑ "2022 signings tracker: Official rosters for all 16 clubs". National Rugby League. 10 November 2021.
  74. ↑ "2021 Signings Tracker: Knights trio re-sign; Feagai twins extend". National Rugby League. 9 November 2021.
  75. ↑ "Forward Saulo extends NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. 29 January 2020.
  76. ↑ "NRL 2021 - Newcastle Knights - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
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