2015 Newcastle Knights season explained

Year:2015
Team Colour:
  1. 0000FF
Font Colour:
  1. FFFFFF
League:NRL
League Rank:16th (last)
League Wins:8
League Losses:16
Points For:458
Points Against:612
Ceo Title:CEO
Coach Title:Coach
Coach:Rick Stone then Danny Buderus (interim)
Avg Attendance:15,891
High Attendance:23,604
Top Tries:Akuila Uate (12)
Top Goals:Tyrone Roberts (54)
Top Points:Tyrone Roberts (120)
Next Season:2016

The 2015 Newcastle Knights season was the 28th in the club's history. Coached by Rick Stone, interim coached by Danny Buderus after Stone's contract was terminated, and captained by Kurt Gidley, they competed in the NRL's 2015 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 16th place (out of 16).

Milestones

Transfers and Re-signings

Gains

Player/Coach Previous Club Length
Jake FinnWestern Suburbs Rosellas2015
Jacob GagaiBrisbane Broncos2015
Matt Lantry (NSW Cup coach)Central Newcastle Butcher Boys2016
Craig Sandercock (assistant coach)Hull Kingston Rovers2015
Tariq SimsNorth Queensland Cowboys2016
Damian SironenTweed Heads Seagulls2015
Jack StockwellSt. George Illawarra Dragons2017
Carlos TuimavaveNew Zealand Warriors2016

Losses

Player/Coach Club
Wayne Bennett (head coach)Brisbane Broncos
Joe BoyceBrisbane Broncos
Darius BoydBrisbane Broncos
Mick Crawley (assistant coach & NYC coach)Canberra Raiders
Adam CuthbertsonLeeds Rhinos
Michael DobsonSalford Red Devils
Jacob GagaiBrisbane Broncos
Matt HilderRetirement
Brenton HorwoodEastern Suburbs Tigers
Toka LikilikiReleased
Josh MantellatoHull Kingston Rovers
Willie MasonManly Warringah Sea Eagles
Alex McKinnonRetirement
Matt MintoCentral Queensland Capras
Russell PackerContract terminated
Chance PeniWests Tigers
Anthony QuinnRetirement
Timana TahuRetirement
Zane TetevanoContract terminated
Travis WaddellBrisbane Broncos
Brayden WiliameManly Warringah Sea Eagles

Promoted juniors

Player Junior side
Jack CoggerKnights New South Wales Cup
James EliasKnights New South Wales Cup
Jaelen FeeneyKnights National Youth Competition
Lachlan FitzgibbonKnights National Youth Competition
Sam KeenanKnights National Youth Competition
Josh KingKnights National Youth Competition
Brock LambKnights National Youth Competition
Danny LeviKnights National Youth Competition
Jah PakauKnights National Youth Competition
Pride Petterson-RobatiKnights National Youth Competition
Dylan PhythianKnights National Youth Competition
Michael SteeleKnights New South Wales Cup
Tuiala TogiatasiKnights National Youth Competition
Honeti TuhaKnights New South Wales Cup
Noel UnderwoodKnights New South Wales Cup
Luke YatesKnights National Youth Competition

Change of role

Player/Coach New role
Danny Buderus (trainer)Knights assistant coach & interim head coach
Troy Pezet (High Performance Unit Manager)Knights National Youth Competition coach
Rick Stone (assistant coach & New South Wales Cup coach)Knights head coach
Ben TupouKnights second-tier squad

Re-signings

Player/Coach Re-signed to
Jack Cogger2018
Jaelen Feeney2017
Lachlan Fitzgibbon2017
Dane Gagai2017
Brock Lamb2017
Danny Levi2018
Jake Mamo2017
Chanel Mata'utia2018
Pat Mata'utia2018
Sione Mata'utia2018
Tyler Randell2017
Korbin Sims2017
Jeremy Smith2016
Kade Snowden2017
Luke Yates2017

Player contract situations

2015 (left)201620172018
Adam Clydsdale[1] Bryce Donovan[2] Jaelen Feeney[3] Jack Cogger[4]
James Elias[5] Josh King[6] Lachlan Fitzgibbon[7] Danny Levi
David Fa'alogo[8] Dylan Phythian[9] Dane Gagai[10] Chanel Mata'utia[11]
Marvin Filipo[12] Robbie Rochow[13] Brock Lamb[14] Pat Mata'utia
Jake Finn[15] Nathan Ross[16] Jake Mamo[17] Sione Mata'utia
Jacob Gagai[18] Tariq Sims[19] Sam Mataora[20] Jarrod Mullen[21]
Kurt Gidley[22] Jeremy Smith[23] Tyler Randell[24]
Chris Houston[25] Joseph Tapine[26] Korbin Sims[27]
Sam Keenan[28] James Taylor[29] Kade Snowden
Joseph Leilua[30] Jack Stockwell
James McManus[31] Akuila Uate[32]
Clint Newton[33] Luke Yates[34]
Jah Pakau[35]
Pride Petterson-Robati[36]
Chad Redman[37]
Tyrone Roberts[38]
Beau Scott[39]
Damian Sironen[40]
Michael Steele[41]
Tuiala Togiatasi[42]
Honeti Tuha[43]
Carlos Tuimavave[44]
Noel Underwood[45]
Paterika Vaivai[46]

Jerseys and sponsors

In 2015, the Knights' jerseys were made by ISC and their major sponsor was Newpave Asphalt.

Fixtures

Auckland Nines

See main article: 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.

Squad: 1. Sione Mata'utia 2. Jake Mamo 3. Dane Gagai 4. Chanel Mata'utia 5. Carlos Tuimavave 6. Jarrod Mullen (c) 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Pat Mata'utia 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Paterika Vaivai 11. Tyler Randell 12. Chris Houston 13. Robbie Rochow 14. Nathan Ross 15. Korbin Sims 16. Joseph Tapine 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Danny Levi

DateRoundOpponentVenueScoreTriesDrop Goal ConversionsAttendance
Saturday, 31 JanuaryAuckland Nines Game 2 St. George Illawarra DragonsEden Park18  - 7J.Mamo (3), D.GagaiJ.Mullen (1/4)
Saturday, 31 JanuaryAuckland Nines Game 9 Parramatta EelsEden Park15  - 21N.Ross, C.Houston, J.TapineT.Roberts (1/3)
Sunday, 1 FebruaryAuckland Nines Game 18 Manly Warringah Sea EaglesEden Park20  - 17T.Randell, T.Roberts, S.Mata'utia, A.ClydsdaleT.Roberts (1/2), J.Mullen (1/2)
Sunday, 1 FebruaryAuckland Nines Quarter-Final 2 South Sydney RabbitohsEden Park6  - 30J.MamoJ.Mullen (1/1)
Legend:

Pre-season trials

DateRoundOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance
Saturday, 14 FebruaryTrial 1Port Macquarie Sharks/Wauchope BluesLank Bain Sporting Complex, Wauchope86  - 0T.Randell (2), P.Mata'utia (2), J.Feeney (2), J.Mamo (2), J.Elias (2), S.Mataora, N.Ross, J.Leilua, S.Keenan, M.Filipo, J.FinnT.Randell (7/9), H.Tuha (2/5), D.Levi (1/1)
Saturday, 21 FebruaryTrial 2 Canberra RaidersSeiffert Oval26  - 4A.Uate (3), J.Leilua, A.ClydsdaleT.Roberts (3/3), K.Gidley (0/2)6,350
Legend:

Regular season

DateRdOpponentVenueScoreTriesGoalsAttendance
Saturday 7 March1New Zealand WarriorsHunter Stadium24-14[47] D. Gagai (2), T. Randell, Robbie RochowT. Roberts (3/3)
T. Randell (1/1)
16,146
Saturday 14 March2North Queensland Cowboys1300SMILES Stadium16-14[48] J. Leilua (2), A. UateT. Roberts (2/3) 13,006
Sunday 22 March3Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium20-18[49] D. Gagai, B. Scott, J. SmithT. Roberts (4/4)6,962
Saturday 28 March4Penrith PanthersHunter Stadium26-14[50] A. Clydsdale, K. Gidley, C. Houston, A. UateT. Roberts (5/5)20,114
Saturday 4 April5St George Illawarra DragonsHunter Stadium0-13[51] 14,261
Friday 10 April6Cronulla-Sutherland SharksRemondis Stadium6-22[52] A. UateT. Roberts (1/2)10,054
Sunday 19 April7Parramatta EelsHunter Stadium22-28[53] D. Gagai, C. Houston, J. McManus, A. UateT. Roberts (3/5)16,953
Saturday 25 April8North Queensland CowboysHunter Stadium24-26[54] C. Houston, J. Leilua, S. Mata'utia, A. UateT. Roberts (4/4)15,518
Sunday 10 May9Manly Warringah Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval10-30[55] J. McManus, T. SimsT. Roberts (1/2)10,065[56]
Sunday 17 May10Wests TigersHunter Stadium22-12[57] D. Fa'alogo, J. Leilua, J. McManus, C. RedmanT. Roberts (3/4)15,573
Monday 25 May11Brisbane BroncosHunter Stadium18-31[58] J. Leilua, T. Randell, K. SimsT. Roberts (3/3)12,673[59]
Sunday 31 May12New Zealand WarriorsMount Smart Stadium20-24[60] A. Uate (2), D. Gagai, J. McManusD. Gagai (1/1)
T. Randell (1/3)
13,203
Saturday 6 June13Canberra RaidersHunter Stadium22-44[61] D. Gagai, J. Leilua, S. Mata'utia, A. UateK. Gidley (3/4)13,504
14Bye
Sunday 21 June15Cronulla-Sutherland SharksHunter Stadium28-30[62] J. Mamo, B. Scott, K. Snowden, C. TuimavaveK. Gidley (6/6)14,081
Friday 26 June16Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium22-44[63] D. Gagai, D. Levi, K. Sims, A. UateK. Gidley (2/3)
D. Gagai(1/1)
27,246
17Bye
Friday 10 July18Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium22-36[64] A. Uate (2), J. McManus, K. SnowdenT. Roberts (3/4)6,015[65]
Saturday 18 July19Gold Coast TitansHunter Stadium30-2[66] K. Gidley, D. Levi, Jake Mamo, J. Mullen, T. SimsT. Roberts (5/6)10,546[67]
Saturday 25 July20South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium6-52[68] K. SnowdenT. Roberts14,603[69]
Sunday 2 August21St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Jubilee24-46[70] A. Clydsdale, K. Gidley, J. Mamo, T. Randell, N. RossT. Roberts (2/5)10,236
Sunday 9 August22Sydney RoostersHunter Stadium22-38[71] K. Gidley, S. Mata'utia, J. Smith, J. TapineT. Roberts (3/4)17,718
Saturday 15 August23Wests TigersCampbelltown Stadium24-18[72] T. Roberts (2), T. Randell, A. UateT. Roberts (3/4)
K. Gidley (1/1)
10,963
Monday 24 August24Melbourne StormAAMI Park20-6[73] K. Gidley, T. Roberts, T. SimsT. Roberts (4/5)8,743
Saturday 29 August25Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsHunter Stadium18-20[74] K. Gidley. N. Ross, T. SimsT. Roberts (2/2)
K. Gidley (1/1)
23,605
Saturday 5 September26Penrith PanthersSportingbet Stadium12-30J. Mamo, C. NewtonT. Roberts (1/1)8,936
Legend:

Statistics

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField GoalsPointsCaptainAge
172008022
161004035
10000021
2472032024
226130502233
2230012030
1360024024
72008020
940016021
90000025
10000023
2230012019
1750020029
101004028
101004034
2042020023
21004023
213540120024
51004025
62008027
182008231
222008023
1940016025
172008035
2130012029
120000023
131004021
51004023
22120048028
50000023
Totals 24 79 71 0 458 - Average: 26

30 players used.

Source:[75]

Representative honours

See also: List of Newcastle Knights representatives.

The following players appeared in a representative match in 2015.

Australian Schoolboys

Cook Islands

Fiji

Indigenous All Stars

Junior Kiwis

Lebanon

New South Wales

New South Wales Country

New South Wales Residents

New South Wales under-16s

New South Wales under-18s

New South Wales under-20s

NRL All Stars

Prime Minister's XIII

Queensland

Samoa

Individual honours

Teams and squads

National Youth Competition (NYC) Team of the Year

New South Wales Cup Team of the Year

New South Wales Under-20s Origin Pathways Camp

Queensland Academy of Sport Emerging Origin Squad

----

Newcastle Knights awards

Player of the Year

Players' Player

Coach's Award

Brian Carlson Club-Andrew Johns Medal

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Raiders.com.au . Raiders sign Adam Clydsdale . Zero Tackle . 2015-10-06 . 2016-08-07.
  2. Web site: NRL . Gallery: First field session - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  3. Web site: NewcastleKnights.com.au . Knights re-sign Feeney . Zero Tackle . 2015-09-03 . 2016-08-07.
  4. Web site: NewcastleKnights.com.au . Levi and Cogger extend contracts . Zero Tackle . 2015-08-27 . 2016-08-07.
  5. Web site: Home | Live Scores & Latest News . Fox Sports . 2016-07-28 . 2016-08-07.
  6. Web site: NRL . Aspiring Knights step up - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  7. Web site: Home | Live Scores & Latest News . Fox Sports . 2016-07-28 . 2016-08-07.
  8. Web site: NRL . Fa'alogo announces NRL retirement - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  9. Web site: NRL Digital Media . Phythian bleeds red and blue - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-31.
  10. Web site: NRL . Gagai extends Knights stay - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  11. Web site: NRL . Mata'utia brothers re-sign - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  12. Web site: CRLFC on Twitter: "The @CRLFC_Goannas like to announce we have signed Marvin Filipo for the @RealNRL 2016 Season. @MarvynFilipo #BlackGold #upthegoeys" . Twitter.com . 2015-11-10 . 2016-08-07.
  13. Web site: Rochow re-signs until 2016 - Newcastle Knights . 2013-05-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130614090458/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Rochow-resigns-until-2016/75283 . 2013-06-14 .
  14. Web site: NRL . Lamb and Cogger commit to Knights - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  15. Web site: West Rosellas RLFC Newcastle - News . Westrosellas.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  16. Web site: ROBERT DILLON8 Jan 2016, 5:29 p.m. . Nathan vows to kick on in 2016 | Newcastle Herald . Theherald.com.au . 2016-01-08 . 2016-08-07.
  17. Web site: NRL . Snowden and Mamo re-sign - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  18. Web site: NRL . High stakes set for season finisher - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  19. Web site: NRL . Knights sign Tariq Sims - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  20. Web site: NRL . Knights sign Mataora and Vaivai - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  21. Web site: NRL . Mullen’s all four Knights - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  22. Web site: NRL . Gidley decides on future - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  23. Web site: NRL . Smith signs on for one more - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  24. Web site: NRL . Knights re-sign Randell - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  25. Web site: NRL . Knights sign trio - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  26. Web site: NRL Digital Media . KNIGHTS INSIDER - Wayne Bennett - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221312/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/content/knights/club/members-only/knights_insider_wayne_bennett2.html . 2016-03-03 .
  27. Web site: NRL . Knights is Sims city - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  28. Web site: NRL . Wauchope trial team list - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  29. Web site: NRL . Knights sign James Taylor - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  30. Web site: NRL . Sign Joseph Leilua . Raiders . 2016-08-07.
  31. Web site: NRL . McManus sidelined indefinitely - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  32. Web site: Uate a Knight until 2017 - Newcastle Knights . 2013-03-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130309080110/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Uate-a-Knight-until-2017/69360 . 2013-03-09 .
  33. Web site: NRL . Clint Newton announces retirement - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  34. Web site: NRL . Luke Yates re-signs - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  35. Web site: Jah Pakau . Zero Tackle . 2016-08-07.
  36. Web site: NRL . Petterson-Robati departs Knights - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  37. Web site: NRL . Two new Titans join ranks . Titans . 2016-08-07.
  38. Web site: Titans.com.au . Tyrone Roberts signs with Titans . Zero Tackle . 2015-08-17 . 2016-08-07.
  39. Web site: NRL . Eels sign Beau Scott - Eels . Parraeels.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  40. Web site: NRL . Cutters Announce Squad For 2016 . Dragons . 2016-08-07.
  41. Web site: NRL . NYC and NSW Cup round 1 teams - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  42. Web site: NRL Digital Media . Tweed Heads Gains and Losses . QRL . 2016-08-07.
  43. Web site: Honeti Tahu joins Eels pre-season . Zero Tackle . 2015-11-27 . 2016-08-07.
  44. Web site: NRL . Knights release Tuimavave - Knights . Newcastleknights.com.au . 2016-08-07.
  45. Web site: Team Announcement – Round 5 vs Wynnum Manly Saturday 4th April 2015 4:30pm « Mendi Townsville & Districts Blackhawks RLFC . Blackhawkstsv.com.au . 2015-03-31 . 2016-08-07.
  46. Web site: Pre Season Army Camp « Burleigh Bears . Burleighbears.com.au . 2015-12-03 . 2016-08-07.
  47. News: Newcastle Knights score come-from-behind win over Warriors to open 2015 NRL season. 19 March 2016. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 March 2015.
  48. News: Dillon. Robert. Newcastle Knights fight back to beat North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. 19 March 2016. Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 15 March 2015.
  49. News: Dillon. Robert. Newcastle Knights maintain perfect start with nailbiting victory over Gold Coast Titans. 19 March 2016. Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 23 March 2015.
  50. News: Brady. Jack. Knights continue unbeaten run. 19 March 2016. NRL.com. 28 March 2015.
  51. News: Keeble. Brett. NRL: Dragons break Knights unbeaten run. 20 March 2016. Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. 4 April 2015.
  52. News: Riordan. Joe. Sharks snap home hoodoo. 20 March 2016. NRL.com. 10 April 2015.
  53. News: Brady. Jack. Eels snap losing streak with Newcastle win. 20 March 2016. NRL.com. 19 April 2015.
  54. News: Garry. Chris. The Cowboys have beaten the Knights 26-24 at Hunter Stadium. 20 March 2016. The Courier-Mail. Queensland Newspapers. 25 April 2015.
  55. News: Cherry on top in Sea Eagles win. 20 March 2016. Warwick Daily News. The Warwick Newspaper Pty Ltd. 11 May 2015.
  56. News: Riordan. Joe. Cherry-Evans leads Manly to big win. 20 March 2016. NRL.com. 10 May 2015.
  57. News: Encarnacion. Matt. Newcastle Knights beat Wests Tigers to snap five-game NRL losing streak. 20 March 2016. Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax New Zealand. 17 May 2015.
  58. News: Keeble. Brett. Broncos get the edge over Knights. 20 March 2016. The Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. 25 May 2015.
  59. News: Brady. Jack. Under-strength Broncos hammer Knights. 20 March 2016. NRL.com. 25 May 2015.
  60. News: Rosser. Corey. Warriors beat gutsy Knights. NRL.com.
  61. News: Brady. Jack. Raiders too slick for error-prone Knights. NRL.com.
  62. News: Brady. Jack. Barba influence sinks Knights. 17 April 2016. NRL.com. 21 June 2015.
  63. News: Badel. Pete. Brisbane Broncos prop Josh McGuire sustains season-ending injury in big win over Newcastle. 17 April 2016. The Daily Telegraph. News Corp. 26 June 2015.
  64. News: Dillon. Robert. Newcastle Knights hit rock bottom against Canberra Raiders. 17 April 2016. 10 July 2015.
  65. News: Riordan. Joe. Raiders hold out fast-finishing Knights. 17 April 2016. NRL.com. 10 July 2015.
  66. News: Dillon. Robert. Dane Gagai rushed to hospital with heart scare during Newcastle Knights' win over Gold Coast Titans. 17 April 2016. Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 18 July 2015.
  67. News: Brady. Jack. Mullen leads Knights to big win. 17 April 2016. NRL.com. 18 July 2015.
  68. News: Rabbitohs rout hapless Knights in NRL. SBS. Special Broadcasting Service. 25 July 2015.
  69. News: Brady. Jack. Inglis stars as Rabbitohs rout Knights. 17 April 2016. NRL.com. 25 July 2015.
  70. News: Crawley. Paul. Dragons v Knights: Benji Marshall winds back the clock as St George Illawarra snap losing streak. 17 April 2016. The Daily Telegraph. News Corp. 2 August 2015.
  71. News: Toohey. Barry. Trent Robinson decision to rest Mitchell Pearce a tactical masterstroke. 17 April 2016. Fox Sports. News Corp. 9 August 2015.
  72. News: Jackson. Russell. Knights tame depleted Tigers. 17 April 2016. NRL.com. 15 August 2015.
  73. News: Ward. Roy. Melbourne Storm throw out top-four chances with loss to Newcastle Knights. Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Australia.
  74. News: Crawley. Paul. Bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson to miss remainder of season after dislocating wrist. 22 April 2016. The Daily telegraph. 29 August 2015.
  75. Web site: 2015 player stats.