Newcastle will be looking to get back into the finals arena in 2023 in Adam O’Brien’s fourth season in charge at the club.
After missing the top eight for the first time in 2022, O’Brien has been busy on the recruitment front with some key signings and several departures ensuring there will be a new-look side that runs out in March.
New recruits Adam Elliott and Jack Hetherington will add plenty of aggression to the squad while the addition of halfback Jackson Hastings should enhance the side’s attack after it struggled to make any inroads last season.
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Predicted Round 1 team
- Lachlan Miller
- Dom Young
- Dane Gagai
- Bradman Best
- Greg Marzhew
- Kalyn Ponga
- Jackson Hastings
- Jacob Saifiti
- Jayden Brailey
- Daniel Saifiti
- Tyson Frizell
- Lachlan Fitzgibbon
- Adam Elliott
- Kurt Mann
- Jack Hetherington
- Leo Thompson
- Jack Johns
Other: Tyson Gamble, Krystian Mapapalangi, Adam Clune, Bailey Hodgson, Chris Vea’ila, Hymel Hunt, Enari Tuala, Phoenix Crossland, Simi Sasagi, Brodie Jones, Mat Croker (suspended).
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Squad watch
- Squad spots filled: 28/30
The Knights still have room to move in their top 30 with two spots left after signing Cronulla fullback Lachlan Miller in January.
Miller's arrival, one of six recruits for 2023, allows for Kalyn Ponga to switch to five-eighth.
“If we were ever going to move Kalyn to six, now is the time,” O’Brien said in an interview with SEN 1170 Breakfast in January.
Dane Gagai is likely to start at centre but the club has big raps on rising centre Krystian Mapapalangi, who managed two games late in 2022 and showed promise.
David Klemmer’s departure to Wests Tigers was replaced by a playmaker in Jackson Hastings, while hooker Chris Randall’s switch to the Gold Coast was done in a swap for outside back Greg Marzhew.
Kurt Mann will play a utility role with Tyson Gamble also an option, but even with the arrivals of Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott, another couple of men in the engine room will be required for 2023, particularly in the back row where the squad is light on.
Toni Tupouniua, the younger brother of Roosters forward Sitili Tupouniua, is a young back-rower who is edging closer to earning a top 30 contract.
Health watch
The Knights had a host of players fail to finish the 2022 season but almost all are expected to be available for the season opener against the Warriors at this stage.
Dane Gagai (hamstring) is in some doubt after picking up a strain in the Pre-season Challenge.
Only Mat Croker (suspension) is unavailable until Round 3.
Most contentious position
With the make-up of the halves appearing all to be decided with the arrival of Lachlan Miller, there are some other contentious spots to note.
The lock role could see a forward in Adam Elliott or utility like Kurt Mann while Tyson Gamble and Phoenix Crossland are bench options to cover multiple positions.
Biggest strength
Newcastle’s strongest area comes in their starting forward pack with the Saifiti twins, Tyson Frizell and Jayden Brailey helping form a strong base.
Add in Adam Elliott and Lachlan Fitzgibbon and the Knights have a durable engine room despite the departures of David Klemmer, Mitch Barnett, Sauaso Sue and young forwards Jirah Momoisea and Pasami Saulo in the off-season.
Jacob Saifiti took his game to a new level in 2022 despite the Knights' woes, while Brailey made a successful return from an Achilles rupture and should be better from playing the second half of the season.
The likes of Leo Thompson, Brodie Jones, Jack Johns and Mat Croker have all had a taste of first grade in recent seasons and will need to back up those starting.
Biggest question mark
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Kalyn Ponga holds the key to the side overall, but he’ll need the support from other experienced men around him to make a consistent impact in 2023.
The side's attack struggled, so whether all the recruits that have landed in the Hunter are the answer will be the biggest talking point.
Equally, their defence in 2022 was also a major weakness, so they'll need to fix their resolve if they're to have any chance with the ball.