Three stats to fix: Knights

Newcastle have made changes to their roster for 2023 but will need to get back to basics if they're to make rapid improvement from their performances last season. 

NRL.com looks at three areas the Knights can improve in their game to challenge for the finals in 2023.

Points difference by period

The Knights struggled in both attack and defence in 2022 with seven of eight 10-minute periods during a match all resulting in a negative points difference on average.

They recorded just 15.5 points per game while they conceded 27.5 each outing on average for a -12.8 points differential overall. Given the Knights didn't have their defence in order, their attack suffered badly as a result. 

Their second halves defensively will need drastic improvement to help aid their attack. On average the Knights lost every 10-minute period in the second half by an average of two points per period, per game, last year.

They won only one period between the 11th-20th minute of games by just two.

In comparison, the Raiders, who finished eighth, won four periods to reach the playoffs, indicating the Knights will need to narrow their focus on certain sections of the game and mainly as a game goes on. 

There's plenty to fix in all aspects of the game with the side conceding 22 tries via opposition kick returns last year alone, highlighting that the team's defensive line was not on song from the start of sets after kicks.

Home ground advantage

It was bleak viewing at McDonald Jones Stadium last season with only two wins recorded for the team - against the Wests Tigers and Titans - on home turf.

The rule of thumb generally to reach the finals is to win majority of games in your own backyard, and pick up the away victories as they come. 

Their 10 defeats at McDonald Jones Stadium were by an average margin of 24.3 points - making it even harder to accept after the venue was once considered a nightmare for opposition to play at.

The Knights will want to repay their loyal fanbase, who are among the best in the game, with better efforts in the Hunter. They'll start with two opportunities against the Dolphins and Raiders throughout March. 

Turning four into six

Newcastle struggled with their goal-kicking in 2022, converting tries only 61% of the time for the lowest success rate in the league. 

While most of their defeats didn't come back to bite them through the boot, it's an area they must improve. 

Departed trio Jake Clifford, Tex Hoy and Anthony Milford all took on the duties last year while Kalyn Ponga recorded seven goals.

Ponga, who will step into the five-eighth role, has a 73% career goal-kicking strike rate while new recruit Jackson Hastings is at 78% from 39 goals in the NRL. 

Dane Gagai (61%) is the other with some experience but overall they'll want someone to step up and kick above their career average this season.