Coach: Rick Stone
Gains: Evarn Tuimavave (Warriors), Dale Verstappen (Turangawaewae NZ)
Losses: Luke MacDougall (Melbourne Storm), Jono Ford (Sydney Roosters), Danny Wicks (NSW Corrective Services XIII)
In 2009 the Knights finished 7th in the regular comp but did not get past week on of the finals.
2010 Squad: Cameron Ciraldo, Ben Cross, Isaac De Gois, Scott Dureau, Joel Edwards, Richard Fa’aoso, Jimmy Fawcett, Byron Fruean, Kurt Gidley, Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Marvin Karawana, Keith Lulia, Adam MacDougall, Shannon McDonnell, James McManus, Constantine Mika, Jarrod Mullen, Kevin
Naiqama, Wes Naiqama, George Ndaira, Cory Paterson, Ben Rogers, Junior Sau, Steve Simpson, Zeb Taia, Mark Taufua, Daniel Tolar, Sione Na’a, Pangai Tovo, Evarn Tuimavave, Akuila Uate, Cooper Vuna
The Newcastle Knights draw for 2010.
In 2010 the Knights will…
…Win the premiership!
Right, now that Mungo Amanda is distracted I think the Knights will have it a bit tough this year even given some known unknowns. First, Rick Stone doesn’t have that many games as a first grade coach so it remains to be seen how he handles a full season. Second, how has the Danny Wicks issue affected the club? The Knights faithful will be hoping that no other players will be found to have been involved. Any more bad news could disrupt the season.
The Knights hopes will fall heavily once more Gidley. He is out for the first few games of the season and he’ll need to play most of the remaining games (rep commitments aside) for the Knights to have a shot at the eight.
Either Rogers or Dureau will partner Mullins in the halves. And combining with Gidley, a settled combination will help. But given the Knights lack of movement in the player market and thus having pretty much the same side as last year, I expect much of the same.
The loyal fans will find some solace in the tenacity of the Knights especially at Energy Australia stadium. But the as the season rolls on, they will fall off the pace.
8 responses so far ↓
Shaun // Mar 1, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Chris Houston now up on charges. Could be a long season for the Knights.
Peter // Mar 1, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Sorry, but from someone who knows Danny and the family, I am certain that they dont appreciate the comments of “NSW Corrective Services XII”. Allow me to remind you, he has been charged and not convicted. What the police have charged him with, based on what I know, (and this is not from Media sources)they will struggle to secure a conviction, and laying numerous inuendo, to try and convict a person by media, is not a fair reflection. Then again, when has the media ever been seen as fair.
Shaun // Mar 1, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Peter, While I appreciate where you sympathies are, a single line on a blog obviously not intended to be taken seriously is not in any way part of “convicting a person by the media.”
As for Danny Wicks and his troubles, I have no opinion other than it is a matter for the courts to decide.
Rickos corrective service // Mar 4, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Why do they play with 12 players in the corrective services?
More breaks?
Less room in the yard?
Shaun // Mar 4, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Obviously more breaks. Especially those that go over the wall.
Mountain Boy // Mar 5, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Very difficult to get a conviction against any rugby league player about anything, in the Australian legal system anyway. I’m not sure why that is. Maybe they are just be the cleanest living sector of the population ? No. Then who knows? I’ll sit on the toilet and think some more ..
Bismark O'Measles // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:43 pm
At least Joey Johns, the shining example of clean-living rectitude, is rallying the fans bless ‘im.
Hold on – Sonny Bill’s coming back !?!?! That’s some wierd s^&*t they’re taking up there.
Shaun // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Yes, that is a weird story. But it does bump the other news about the Knights off the back page.
Anyway, I think $BW will end up in NZ rugby.