2018 Newcastle Knights season explained

Year:	2018
Team Colour:	0000FF
Font Colour:	FFFFFF
League:	NRL
League Rank:	11th
League Wins:	9
League Draws:	0
League Losses:	15
Points For:	414
Points Against:	607
Ceo Title:	CEO
Coach Title:	Coach
Avg Attendance:	18,974
High Attendance:	24,662
Top Tries:	Ken Sio (12)
Top Goals:	Kalyn Ponga (27)
Top Points:	Ken Sio (98)
Next Season:	2019

The 2018 Newcastle Knights season was the 31st in the club's history. Coached by Nathan Brown and co-captained by Jamie Buhrer and Mitchell Pearce, they competed in the NRL's 2018 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 11th place (out of 16).

Milestones

• Round 1: Herman Ese'ese made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Brisbane Broncos.
• Round 1: Slade Griffin made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Melbourne Storm and scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 1: Aidan Guerra made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Sydney Roosters.
• Round 1: Chris Heighington made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
• Round 1: Jacob Lillyman made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the New Zealand Warriors.
• Round 1: Tautau Moga made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Brisbane Broncos.
• Round 1: Mitchell Pearce made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Sydney Roosters, captained his 1st game for the club and kicked his 1st field goal for the club.
• Round 1: Kalyn Ponga made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the North Queensland Cowboys, scored his 1st try for the club and kicked his 1st career goal.
• Round 1: Connor Watson made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Sydney Roosters.
• Round 2: Aidan Guerra scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 2: Tautau Moga scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 2: Connor Watson scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 4: Chris Heighington scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 5: Danny Levi played his 50th career game.
• Round 5: Nathan Ross played his 50th career game.
• Round 7: Jamie Buhrer played his 150th career game.
• Round 7: Mitchell Pearce scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 7: Daniel Saifiti played his 50th career game.
• Round 8: Aidan Guerra captained his 1st game for the club.
• Round 8: Ken Sio kicked his 1st goal for the club.
• Round 11: Herman Ese'ese scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 13: Jack Cogger scored his 1st career try.
• Round 16: Connor Watson played his 50th career game.
• Round 18: Nick Meaney made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 19: Mitchell Barnett played his 50th career game.
• Round 19: Nick Meaney scored his 1st career try.
• Round 21: Mitchell Barnett played his 50th game for the club.
• Round 21: Herman Ese'ese played his 50th career game.
• Round 21: JJ Felise made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Wests Tigers.
• Round 21: Shaun Kenny-Dowall played his 250th career game.
• Round 22: Mitchell Pearce played his 250th career game.
• Round 22: Pasami Saulo made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 25: Nick Meaney kicked his 1st career goal.
• Round 25: Tom Starling made his NRL debut for the club.

Transfers and Re-signings

Gains

Player/Coach	Previous Club	Length
Herman Ese'ese	Brisbane Broncos	2020
JJ Felise	Wests Tigers	2018
Slade Griffin	Melbourne Storm	2019
Aidan Guerra	Sydney Roosters	2020
Christian Hazard	Redcliffe Dolphins	2018
Chris Heighington	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	2018
Jacob Lillyman	New Zealand Warriors	2018
Tautau Moga	Brisbane Broncos	2020
Brent Naden	Canberra Raiders	2018
Mitchell Pearce	Sydney Roosters	2021
Kalyn Ponga	North Queensland Cowboys	2021
James Shepherd (assistant coach)	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	2018
Connor Watson	Sydney Roosters	2020

Losses

Player/Coach	Club
David Bhana	Released
Brendan Elliot	Gold Coast Titans
Jaelen Feeney	Townsville Blackhawks
Dane Gagai	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Jacob Gagan	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Heath Gibbs	Wests Tigers
Rory Kostjasyn	Retirement
Jake Mamo	Huddersfield Giants
Sam Mataora	Retirement
Peter Mata'utia	Leigh Centurions
Sam McIntyre	Wests Tigers
Jarrod Mullen	Contract terminated
Mickey Paea	Hull F.C.
Pauli Pauli	Wakefield Trinity
Will Pearsall	Retirement
Tyler Randell	Wakefield Trinity
Braden Robson	Wests Tigers
Korbin Sims	Brisbane Broncos
Bradie Smith	Wyong Roos
Josh Starling	Retirement
Jack Stockwell	Gold Coast Titans
Anthony Tupou	Retirement
Joe Wardle	Castleford Tigers
Kurt Wrigley (assistant coach)	Released

Promoted juniors

Player	Junior side
Matt Cooper	Knights National Youth Competition
Zac Hosking	Knights National Youth Competition
Jack Johns	Knights National Youth Competition
Brayden Musgrove	Knights National Youth Competition

Change of role

Player/Coach	New role
Rory Kostjasyn (Harold Matthews Cup coach)	Knights Intrust Super Premiership NSW coach
Joe Morris	Knights second-tier squad

Re-signings

Player/Coach	Re-signed to
Tyrone Amey	2018
Nathan Brown (head coach)	ongoing contract
Jamie Buhrer	2019
Matt Cooper	2018
Zac Hosking	2018
Jack Johns	2018
Josh King	2020
Sione Mata'utia	2021
Brayden Musgrove	2019
Pasami Saulo	2020
Sam Stone	2020

Player contract situations

2018 (left)	2019	2020	2021
Tyrone Amey^[1]	Jamie Buhrer^[2]	Mitchell Barnett^[3]	Sione Mata'utia^[4]
Jack Cogger^[5]	Lachlan Fitzgibbon^[6]	Herman Ese'ese^[7]	Mitchell Pearce^[8]
Matt Cooper^[9]	Slade Griffin^[10]	Aidan Guerra^[11]	Kalyn Ponga^[12]
Thomas Cronan^[13]	Brodie Jones^[14]	Josh King^[15]
Cory Denniss^[16]	Shaun Kenny-Dowall^[17]	Danny Levi^[18]
JJ Felise^[19]	Brayden Musgrove^[20]	Tautau Moga^[21]
Christian Hazard^[22]		Nathan Ross^[23]
Chris Heighington^[24]		Daniel Saifiti^[25]
Trent Hodkinson^[26]		Jacob Saifiti
Zac Hosking^[27]		Pasami Saulo
Tom Hughes		Sam Stone
Jack Johns^[28]		Connor Watson^[29]
Brock Lamb^[30]
Jacob Lillyman^[31]
Chanel Mata'utia^[32]
Pat Mata'utia^[33]
Nick Meaney^[34]
Brent Naden^[35]
Dylan Phythian^[36]
Ken Sio^[37]
Tom Starling^[38]
Luke Yates^[39]

Jerseys and sponsors

In 2018, the Knights' jerseys were made by ISC and their major sponsor was nib Health Funds.

Fixtures

Preseason trials

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance
Wednesday, 7 February	Trial 1	Melbourne Storm	AAMI Park	26  - 22	L.Fitzgibbon, K.Ponga, K.Sio, J.Buhrer, T.Cronan	K.Ponga (2/3), B.Lamb (1/2)	closed to public^[40]
Saturday, 24 February	Trial 2	Parramatta Eels	Maitland No.1 Sportsground	6  - 26	S.Kenny-Dowall	K.Ponga (1/1)
Legend:

Regular season

Date	Round	Opponent	Venue	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance
9 March	1	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	19-18^[41]	K. Ponga, S. Griffin, L. Fitzgibbon	K. Ponga (3/3), M. Pearce (FG)	23,516^[42]
18 March	2	Canberra Raiders	GIO Stadium, Canberra	30-28^[43]	L. Fitzgibbon, A. Guerra, S. Mata'utia, T. Moga, C. Watson	K. Ponga (5/6)	12,626
25 March	3	Sydney Roosters	Allianz Stadium, Sydney	8-38^[44]	A. Guerra	K. Ponga (2/3)	15,153^[45]
1 April	4	St. George Illawarra Dragons	WIN Stadium, Wollongong	12-30^[46]	T. Moga, C. Heighington	K. Ponga (2/2)	18,589
7 April	5	Brisbane Broncos	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	15-10^[47]	L. Fitzgibbon, D. Saifiti	K. Ponga (3/3), M. Pearce (FG)	21,969
13 April	6	Melbourne Storm	AAMI Park, Melbourne	14-40^[48]	K. Sio (2), L. Fitzgibbon	K. Ponga (1/3)	12,386
21 April	7	Wests Tigers	Scully Park, Tamworth	22-20^[49]	K. Sio (3), S. Kenny-Dowall, M. Pearce	K. Ponga (1/5)^[50]	10,082
27 April	8	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	Lottoland, Manly	18-12^[51]	S. Griffin, N. Ross, C. Watson	K. Sio (3/4)	5,715
4 May	9	South Sydney Rabbitohs	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	18-36^[52]	S. Kenny-Dowall (2), S. Mata'utai, L. Fitzgibbon	K. Sio (1/4)	22,718
11 May	10	Penrith Panthers	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	18-29^[53]	K. Ponga, N. Ross, C. Watson	B. Lamb (2/2), K. Sio (1/1)	14,801
19 May	11	Gold Coast Titans	Cbus Super Stadium, Robina	26-33^[54]	H. Ese'ese, S. Mata'utia, K. Ponga, K. Sio	B. Lamb (5/5)	11,008
27 May	12	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	10-48^[55]	L. Fitzgibbon, S. Mata'utia	K. Sio (1/1), K. Ponga (0/1)	20,913
2 June	13	Parramatta Eels	ANZ Stadium, Sydney	30-4^[56]	J. Cogger, S. Mata'utia, D. Saifiti, K. Sio, C. Watson	K. Ponga (5/6)	7,719
9 June	14	Sydney Roosters	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	16-18^[57]	S. Mata'utia, K. Ponga	K. Ponga (4/4)	18,029
17 June	15	Melbourne Storm	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	10-28^[58]	K. Ponga, K. Sio	K. Ponga (1/2)	14,803
30 June	16		McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	16-36^[59]	C. Watson (2), H. Ese'ese	K. Sio (2/3)	17,755
		17
13 July	18	Parramatta Eels	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	18-16^[60]	C. Watson, S. Kenny-Dowall, M. Pearce	K. Sio (3/4)	15,860
21 July	19	Gold Coast Titans	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	30-24^[61]	M. Barnett (2), N. Meaney, L. Fitzgibbon, S. Kenny-Dowall	K. Sio (5/6)	14,095
27 July	20	North Queensland Cowboys	1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville	18-20^[62]	L. Fitzgibbon (2), A. Guerra	K. Sio (3/4)	11,709
3 August	21	Wests Tigers	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle	16-25^[63]	A. Guerra, S. Mata'utia, K. Ponga	K. Sio (2/3)	18,561
10 August	22	New Zealand Warriors	Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland	4-20^[64]	K. Sio	K. Sio (0/1)	14,395
18 August	23	Penrith Panthers	Panthers Stadium, Penrith
26 August	24	Cronulla Sutherland Sharks	Southern Cross Group Stadium, Cronulla
	25	St George Illawarra Dragons	McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Legend:

Statistics

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Points	Captain	Age
	23	2	0	0	8	0	24
	20	0	0	0	0	20	29
	12	1	0	0	4	0	21
	11	1	0	0	4	0	21
	23	2	0	0	8	0	24
	2	0	0	0	0	0	22
	21	9	0	0	36	0	24
	16	2	0	0	8	0	27
	24	5	0	0	20	9	30
	21	1	0	0	4	0	36
	24	6	0	0	24	0	30
	13	0	0	0	0	0	23
	8	0	7	0	14	0	21
	17	0	0	0	0	0	23
	15	0	0	0	0	0	34
	23	8	0	0	32	0	22
	5	2	1	0	10	0	21
	4	2	0	0	8	0	25
	15	2	0	2	10	15	29
	20	6	27	0	78	0	20
	15	2	0	0	8	0	30
	21	3	0	0	12	0	22
	8	0	0	0	0	0	22
	3	0	0	0	0	0	20
	20	12	25	0	98	0	28
	1	0	0	0	0	0	20
	2	0	0	0	0	0	21
	15	7	0	0	28	0	22
	6	0	0	0	0	0	23
Totals	24	73	60	2	414	-	Average: 25

29 players used.

Source:^[65]

Representative honours

See also: List of Newcastle Knights representatives.

The following players appeared in a representative match in 2018.

Australian Schoolboys

• Timanu Alexander (squad member)
• Bradman Best
• Harry Croker
• Jock Madden
• Starford To'a

Fiji

• Junior Roqica

Junior Kiwis

• Pasami Saulo (squad member)

New South Wales under-16s

• Thomas Cant

New South Wales under-18s

• Bradman Best
• Phoenix Crossland
• Brock Gardner (squad member)
• Jock Madden
• Jaron Purcell

New Zealand

• Herman Ese'ese
• Slade Griffin
• Danny Levi (squad member)

Queensland

• Kalyn Ponga

Queensland under-20s

• Beau Fermor

Individual honours

Newcastle Knights awards

Player of the Year

• National Rugby League (NRL) Player of the Year: Kalyn Ponga
• Intrust Super Premiership NSW Player of the Year: Luke Yates
• Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Beau Fermor

Players' Player

• National Rugby League (NRL) Players' Player: Kalyn Ponga
• Intrust Super Premiership NSW Players' Player: Luke Yates
• Jersey Flegg Cup Players' Player: Mat Croker

Coach's Award

• National Rugby League (NRL) Coach's Award: Aidan Guerra
• Intrust Super Premiership NSW Coach's Award: Zac Hosking
• Jersey Flegg Cup Coach's Award: Kurtis Dark

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pickers sign former NRL centre Matt Allwood for 2019. Michael. Hartshorn. 24 November 2018. 26 November 2018.
2. Web site: Knights leader Buhrer extends contract. 29 October 2018. 6 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181106093126/https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2018/10/29/knights-leader-buhrer-extends-contract/. 2018-11-06. live.
3. Web site: NewcastleKnights.com.au . Mitch Barnett re-signs with Knights . Zero Tackle . 2017-03-05 . 2017-03-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170312035957/https://www.zerotackle.com/mitch-barnett-re-signs-knights-25790/ . 2017-03-12 . live .
4. Web site: Knights re-sign Sione Mata'utia - Zero Tackle. 28 June 2018. 29 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155541/https://www.zerotackle.com/just-in-knights-re-sign-centre-34264/. 2018-06-29. live.
5. Web site: Jack Cogger signs with Canterbury - Zero Tackle. 17 January 2018. 17 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617192721/https://www.zerotackle.com/jack-cogger-signs-canterbury-31122/. 2018-06-17. live.
6. Web site: Lachlan Fitzgibbon re-signs with Knights - Zero Tackle. 6 September 2017. 6 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170906134223/https://www.zerotackle.com/lachlan-fitzgibbon-re-signs-knights-29125/. 2017-09-06. live.
7. Web site: Knights sign Herman Ese'ese - Zero Tackle. 27 July 2017. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617200023/https://www.zerotackle.com/knights-sign-herman-eseese-28450/. 2018-06-17. live.
8. Web site: Newcastle Knights sign Mitchell Pearce - Zero Tackle. 30 November 2017. 9 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310011525/https://www.zerotackle.com/knights-sign-mitchell-pearce-30671/. 2018-03-10. live.
9. Web site: Experience headlines Easts Tigers player gains. 22 November 2018. Queensland Rugby League. 17 December 2018.
10. Web site: Slade Griffin joins Knights - Zero Tackle. 3 October 2017. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003224836/https://www.zerotackle.com/slade-griffin-joins-knights-29559/. 2017-10-03. live.
11. Web site: Newcastle Knights sign Aidan Guerra - Zero Tackle. 15 June 2017. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003802/https://www.zerotackle.com/newcastle-knights-sign-aidan-guerra-27867/. 2017-11-07. live.
12. Web site: Kalyn Ponga signs with Knights. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005915/http://www.nrl.com/kalyn-ponga-signs-with-knights/tabid/10874/newsid/102777/default.aspx. 2017-11-07. live.
13. Web site: Newcastle Rugby League: Centre Thomas Cronan caught Souths from the cold. Josh. Callinan. July 11, 2019. Newcastle Herald.
14. Web site: Gallery: 2018 pre-season kicks off. NRL Digital. Media. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031722/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/11/01/gallery_2018_pre_sea.af_news.html. 7 November 2017. dead. dmy-all.
15. Web site: King secures contract extension. 30 March 2018. 30 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330144308/https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2018/03/30/king-secures-contract-extension/. 2018-03-30. live.
16. Web site: Rabbitohs sign Knight, Denniss. Stephen. Marson. 17 December 2018. 17 December 2018.
17. Web site: Newcastle Knights sign Shaun Kenny-Dowall . Zero Tackle . 2017-02-18 . 2017-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170829121216/https://www.zerotackle.com/newcastle-knights-sign-shaun-kenny-dowall-28043/ . 2017-08-29 . live .
18. Web site: NewcastleKnights.com.au . Newcastle Knights re-sign Danny Levi . Zero Tackle . 2017-04-05 . 2017-04-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170406022116/https://www.zerotackle.com/newcastle-knights-re-sign-danny-levi-26175/ . 2017-04-06 . live .
19. Web site: Raiders sign JJ Felise - Zero Tackle. 26 November 2018. 26 November 2018.
20. Web site: Knights re-sign Pasami Saulo. NRL Digital. Media. 13 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171113114817/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/11/10/knights_re_sign_pasa.af_news.html. 13 November 2017. dead. dmy-all.
21. Web site: Newcastle sign Tautau Moga - Zero Tackle. 18 July 2017. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617221350/https://www.zerotackle.com/newcastle-sign-tautau-moga-28316/. 2018-06-17. live.
22. Web site: Tweed Heads Seagulls pull off two player signings for 2019 Intrust Super Cup season. goldcoastbulletin.com.au. 17 December 2018.
23. Web site: Nathan Ross extends Newcastle contract . Zero Tackle . 2017-05-14 . 2017-07-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170801163906/https://www.zerotackle.com/nathan-ross-extends-newcastle-contract-28152/ . 2017-08-01 . live .
24. Web site: Heighington to hang up the boots at seasons end - Zero Tackle. 31 July 2018. 31 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153707/https://www.zerotackle.com/heighington-to-hang-up-the-boots-at-seasons-end-35205/. 2018-07-31. live.
25. Web site: Saifitis extend until 2020. NRL Digital. Media. 23 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171023121805/http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/10/23/saifiti_twins_extend.html. 2017-10-23. live.
26. Web site: Trent Hodkinson agrees to terms with Cronulla Sharks - Zero Tackle. 5 February 2018. 9 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180310011527/https://www.zerotackle.com/trent-hodkinson-agrees-terms-cronulla-sharks-31386/. 2018-03-10. live.
27. Web site: Sam Stone re-signs with Knights - Zero Tackle. 15 November 2017. 15 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617194518/https://www.zerotackle.com/sam-stone-re-signs-knights-30312/. 2018-06-17. live.
28. Web site: Gallery: Training Week Five. South Sydney Rabbitohs. 1 January 2019.
29. Web site: Connor Watson to join Knights - Zero Tackle. 24 July 2017. 1 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025327/https://www.zerotackle.com/connor-watson-join-knights-28408/. 2017-11-07. live.
30. Web site: COLUMN - Toohey’s News – Eighth Immortal urges Knights to bring star forward home. BARRY. TOOHEY. 1 September 2018. 1 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180901113110/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5620358/column-tooheys-news-eighth-immortal-urges-knights-to-bring-star-forward-home/?cs=2503. 2018-09-01. live.
31. Web site: Lillyman calls time on career - Zero Tackle. 7 August 2018. 9 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180809122419/https://www.zerotackle.com/lillyman-calls-time-on-career-35381/. 2018-08-09. live.
32. Web site: Knights release Chanel Mata'utia - Zero Tackle. 23 November 2017. 23 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041205/https://www.zerotackle.com/knights-release-chanel-matautia-30515/. 2017-12-01. live.
33. Web site: Newcastle RL: Former Knight Pat Mata’utia gives extra NRL kick to Wests. Josh. Callinan. 21 December 2018. Newcastle Herald. 25 December 2018.
34. Web site: Dogs sign Nick Meaney - Zero Tackle. 28 June 2018. 29 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155528/https://www.zerotackle.com/just-in-dogs-sign-knights-youngster-34257/. 2018-06-29. live.
35. Web site: COLUMN - Toohey’s News – Eels veteran Jennings in Knights sights. BARRY. TOOHEY. 6 October 2018. 6 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181006114521/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5687232/column-tooheys-news-eels-veteran-jennings-in-knights-sights/?cs=306. 2018-10-06. live.
36. Web site: Newcastle Knights release Dylan Phythian - Zero Tackle. 27 March 2018. 29 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330012313/https://www.zerotackle.com/newcastle-knights-release-dylan-phythian-32255/. 2018-03-30. live.
37. Web site: Salford sign Sio - Zero Tackle. 18 October 2018. 20 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181020095222/https://www.zerotackle.com/salford-sign-sio-37418/. 2018-10-20. live.
38. Web site: Canberra Raiders sign ex-Knights hooker Tom Starling to train. David. Polkinghorne. 7 January 2019. The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 January 2019.
39. Web site: COLUMN - Toohey’s News - Knights reject Dragons bid for player swap. BARRY. TOOHEY. 24 November 2018. 26 November 2018.
40. Web site: NRL 2018 trials: Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights, Mitchell Pearce debut behind closed doors. 7 February 2018. 29 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517130040/https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2018-preseason-trial-melbourne-storm-v-newcastle-knights/news-story/9a0bcd647c7083a01a0052efe8d23d28. 2018-05-17. live.
41. News: A Knight to remember. 10 March 2018. 85. Paul Crawley. The Courier-Mail.
42. Web site: NRL: Knights v Sea Eagles. Austadiums. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091949/http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=20419. 2018-04-14. live.
43. News: Knights outlast Raiders in thriller. Scott Hazlewood. 18 March 2018. 30 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080327/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/03/18/newcastle-knights-outlast-canberra-raiders-in-tight-contest/. 2018-03-30. live.
44. News: Roosters bring Knights back down to earth. Chris Kennedy. 25 March 2018. 30 March 2018. NRL.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330080305/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/03/25/sydney-roosters-bring-newcastle-knights-back-down-to-earth/. 2018-03-30. live.
45. Web site: NRL: Roosters v Knights. Austadiums. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091419/http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=20441. 2018-04-14. live.
46. News: Dynamic Dragons stay unbeaten by nullifying Knights. Brad Arthur. 1 April 2018. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414011503/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/01/st-george-illawarra-dragons-maintain-unbeaten-record-with-win-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-04-14. live.
47. News: Knights show steel for rare win over Broncos. Peter Jolly. 7 April 2018. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414093057/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/07/newcastle-knights-topple-brisbane-broncos-at-home/. 2018-04-14. live.
48. News: Storm experience pays off in win over Knights. Andrew Marmont. 13 April 2018. 14 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414093059/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/13/melbourne-storm-experience-pays-off-in-win-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-04-14. live.
49. News: Knights steal thrilling win over Tigers in Tamworth. Alicia Newton. 21 April 2018. 28 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093518/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/21/newcastle-knights-steal-thrilling-win-over-wests-tigers-in-tamworth/. 2018-04-28. live.
50. News: Ponga laughs off horror goal-kicking night. Alicia Newton. 23 April 2018. 28 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093445/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/23/newcastle-knights-fullback-kalyn-ponga-laughs-off-horror-goal-kicking-night/. 2018-04-28. live.
51. News: Knights pile more pain on under-siege Sea Eagles. Margie McDonald. 27 April 2018. 28 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052317/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/27/newcastle-knights-pile-more-pain-on-under-siege-manly-sea-eagles/. 2018-08-18. live.
52. News: Rabbitohs hand Knights first home defeat. Jolly. Peter. 4 May 2018. National Rugby League. 5 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180504190221/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/04/south-sydney-rabbitohs-hand-newcastle-knights-first-home-defeat/. 2018-05-04. live.
53. News: Panthers make Watson pay for horror night. Peter Jolly. 11 May 2018. 23 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180623004738/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/11/penrith-panthers-outlast-kalyn-ponga-inspired-newcastle-knights/. 2018-06-23. live.
54. News: Titans break drought with late win over Knights. Neil Cadigan. 19 May 2018. 23 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130541/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/19/gold-coast-titans-break-drought-with-late-win-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-05-29. live.
55. News: Moylan masterclass leads Sharks to huge win over Knights. Peter Jolly. 27 May 2018. 23 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140354/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/27/matt-moylan-masterclass-leads-cronulla-sharks-to-huge-win-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-06-22. live.
56. News: Knights cruise to win over injury-wrecked Eels. Chris Kennedy. 2 June 2018. 23 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721073516/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/02/newcastle-knights-cruise-to-win-over-injury-wrecked-parramatta-eels/. 2018-07-21. live.
57. News: Ferguson bags a double as Roosters outlast brave Knights. Peter Jolly. 9 June 2018. 23 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180623004711/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/09/blake-ferguson-double-helps-sydney-roosters-edge-past-newcastle-knights/. 2018-06-23. live.
58. News: Ponga passes Origin audition but Storm outclass Knights. Peter Jolly. 17 June 2018. 23 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622220344/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/17/no-billy-slater-no-worries-as-melbourne-storm-outclass-newcastle-knights/. 2018-06-22. live.
59. News: Bulldogs display plenty of bite as Ponga injured for Knights. Peter Jolly. 30 June 2018. 14 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180701111736/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/06/30/canterbury-bulldogs-display-plenty-of-bite-in-win-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-07-01. live.
60. News: Returning Pearce guides Knights to narrow win over Eels. Peter Jolly. 13 July 2018. 14 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180713232735/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/13/returning-mitchell-pearce-guides-newcastle-knights-to-narrow-win-over-parramatta-eels/. 2018-07-13. live.
61. News: Knights pull of comeback win over Titans in Newcastle. 21 July 2018. 2018-07-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721103053/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/21/knights-pull-of-comeback-win-over-titans-in-newcastle/. 2018-07-21. live.
62. News: Late try seals Cowboys' comeback win over Knights. 27 July 2018. Dylan Morris. 2018-07-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180727122738/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/27/late-try-seals-comeback-win-for-north-queensland-cowboys-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-07-27. live.
63. News: Wests Tigers conquer Knights to stay in finals race. Peter Jolly. 3 August 2018. 11 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180811031804/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/03/wests-tigers-conquer-newcastle-knights-to-stay-in-finals-race/. 2018-08-11. live.
64. News: Warriors rise to sixth with emphatic win over Knights. Kent Gray. 10 August 2018. 11 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180810235548/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/10/new-zealand-warriors-a-step-closer-to-top-four-spot-with-win-over-newcastle-knights/. 2018-08-10. live.
65. Web site: 2018 player stats. 2018-03-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083421/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2018/newcastle/summary.html?order=name. 2018-03-12. live.