2021 Newcastle Knights season explained

Year:	2021
Team Colour:	0000FF
Font Colour:	FFFFFF
League:	NRL
League Rank:	7th
League Wins:	12
League Draws:	0
League Losses:	12
Points For:	428
Points Against:	571
Playoff Result:	Elimination Finalists (Week 1)
Ceo Title:	CEO
Coach Title:	Coach
Avg Attendance:	17,636
High Attendance:	23,015
Top Tries:	Enari Tuala (13)
Top Goals:	Jake Clifford (33)
Top Points:	Jake Clifford (74)
Next Season:	2022

The 2021 Newcastle Knights season was the 34th in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and co-captained by Jayden Brailey, Kalyn Ponga and Daniel Saifiti, they competed in the NRL's 2021 Telstra Premiership. In July, the NRL relocated the competition to Queensland to avoid an outbreak of the Deltra variant COVID-19 virus in New South Wales.^[1] The Knights finished the regular season in 7th place (out of 16), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the Parramatta Eels in week 1.

Transfers and Re-signings

Gains

Player/Coach	Previous Club	Length	Source
McKenzie Baker	Sydney Roosters	2021	^[2]
Zane Camroux	Wests Tigers	2021	^[3]
Tyler Coburn	Ipswich Jets	Pre-season	^[4]
Jake Clifford	North Queensland Cowboys	2023	^[5]
Tyson Frizell	St. George Illawarra Dragons	2023	^[6]
Bailey Hodgson	Castleford Tigers	2023	^[7]
Jack Johns	South Sydney Rabbitohs	2021	^[8]
Jacob Kiraz	North Queensland Cowboys	2021	^[9]
Blake Lenehan	Ipswich Jets	Pre-season
Brayden Musgrove	Cessnock Goannas	2022	^[10]
Andrew Ryan (NSW Cup coach)	South Newcastle Lions	2021	^[11]
Garrett Smith	North Queensland Cowboys	2021	^[12]
Sauaso Sue	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	2022	^[13]
Dom Young	Huddersfield Giants	2023	^[14]

Losses

Player/Coach	Club	Source
Jack Cameron	South Sydney Rabbitohs	^[15]
Matt Cooper	Lakes United	^[16]
Herman Ese'ese	Gold Coast Titans	^[17]
Beau Fermor	Gold Coast Titans	^[18]
David Furner (assistant coach)	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	^[19]
Tim Glasby	Retirement	^[20]
Tony Gleeson (NSW Cup coach)	Released
Aidan Guerra	Retirement	^[21]
Danny Levi	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	^[22]
Mason Lino	Wakefield Trinity	^[23]
Toby Marks	Canberra Raiders	^[24]
Sione Mata'utia	St Helens R.F.C.	^[25]
Andrew McCullough	Brisbane Broncos	^[26]
Tautau Moga	South Sydney Rabbitohs	^[27]
Tyronne Roberts-Davis	Wests Tigers	^[28]
Brandon Russell	Tweed Heads Seagulls	^[29]
Bayden Searle	Macquarie Scorpions	^[30]

Promoted juniors

Player	Junior side	Source
Harry Croker	Knights Jersey Flegg Cup	^[31]
Cooper Jenkins	Knights Jersey Flegg Cup	^[32]
Christian Ma'anaima	Knights Jersey Flegg Cup	^[33]
Jaron Purcell	Knights Jersey Flegg Cup
Daniel Ticehurst	Knights Jersey Flegg Cup	^[34]
Chris Vea'ila	Knights S. G. Ball Cup	^[35]

Change of role

Player/Coach	New role	Source
Adam Bettridge (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)	Knights S. G. Ball Cup assistant coach	^[36]
Luke Huth	Knights NSW Cup	^[37]
Rory Kostjasyn (Knights development coach)	Knights NRL assistant coach	^[38]
Eric Smith (Knights development coach)	Knights NRL assistant coach

Re-signings

Player/Coach	Re-signed to	Source
Bradman Best	2024	^[39]
Jayden Brailey	2025	^[40]
Lachlan Fitzgibbon	2023	^[41]
Hymel Hunt	2023	^[42]
Brodie Jones	2023	^[43]
Kurt Mann	2023	^[44]
Adam O'Brien (head coach)	2024	^[45]
Mitchell Pearce	2022	^[46]
Daniel Saifiti	2026	^[47]
Jacob Saifiti	2024
Starford To'a	2023	^[48]

Player contract situations

2021 (left)	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Tyler Coburn^[49]	McKenzie Baker^[50]	Mitchell Barnett^[51]	Bradman Best	Jayden Brailey	Daniel Saifiti
Blake Green^[52]	Mitch Black^[53]	Jake Clifford	Jacob Saifiti
Zac Hosking^[54]	Zane Camroux	Lachlan Fitzgibbon	Kalyn Ponga^[55]
Josh King^[56]	Harry Croker	Tyson Frizell
Jacob Kiraz^[57]	Mat Croker^[58]	Bailey Hodgson
Blake Lenehan	Phoenix Crossland^[59]	Hymel Hunt
Christian Ma'anaima^[60]	Tex Hoy^[61]	Jack Johns
Mitchell Pearce^[62]	Cooper Jenkins	Brodie Jones
Gehamat Shibasaki^[63]	Edrick Lee^[64]	David Klemmer^[65]
Garrett Smith^[66]	Dylan Lucas	Kurt Mann
Matt Soper-Lawler^[67]	Jirah Momoisea^[68]	Chris Randall
Starford To'a^[69]	Brayden Musgrove	Enari Tuala^[70]
Connor Watson^[71]	Jaron Purcell^[72]	Chris Vea'ila^[73]
	Simi Sasagi^[74]	Dom Young
	Pasami Saulo^[75]
	Sauaso Sue
	Daniel Ticehurst

Milestones

• Round 1: Jayden Brailey captained his 1st game for the club.
• Round 1: Tyson Frizell made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
• Round 1: Daniel Saifiti played his 100th career game and captained his 1st game for the club.
• Round 1: Sauaso Sue made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
• Round 2: Jayden Brailey scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 3: Tyson Frizell scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 3: Mitchell Pearce played his 300th career game.
• Round 3: Dom Young made his NRL debut for the club, after previously playing for the Huddersfield Giants.
• Round 4: Kurt Mann kicked his 1st career field goal.
• Round 5: Chris Randall scored his 1st career try.
• Round 6: Hymel Hunt played his 50th game for the club.
• Round 6: Brodie Jones scored his 1st career try.
• Round 6: Brayden Musgrove made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 8: David Klemmer played his 50th game for the club.
• Round 8: Brayden Musgrove scored his 1st career try.
• Round 8: Sauaso Sue played his 150th career game.
• Round 9: Connor Watson played his 50th game for the club.
• Round 10: Mitchell Barnett played his 100th career game.
• Round 11: Phoenix Crossland kicked his 1st career goal.
• Round 11: Simi Sasagi made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 11: Sauaso Sue scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 12: Mitchell Barnett played his 100th game for the club.
• Round 12: Enari Tuala played his 50th career game.
• Round 13: Jake Clifford made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the North Queensland Cowboys.
• Round 13: Mat Croker made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 13: Jack Johns made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
• Round 14: Jake Clifford kicked his 1st goal for the club.
• Round 14: Kurt Mann played his 50th game for the club.
• Round 14: Dom Young scored his 1st career try.
• Round 16: Hymel Hunt played his 100th career game.
• Round 21: Jake Clifford played his 50th career game and scored his 1st try for the club.
• Round 21: Kalyn Ponga captained his 1st game for the club.
• Round 22: Connor Watson played his 100th career game.
• Round 23: Jirah Momoisea made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 25: Jack Johns scored his 1st career try.

Jerseys and sponsors

In 2021, the Knights' jerseys were made by O'Neills and their major sponsor was nib Health Funds.

Fixtures

Pre-season Trials

Statistics

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Points	Captain	Age
	24	4	13	0	42	0	27
	17	3	0	0	12	0	20
	23	3	0	0	12	20	25
	13	2	33	0	74	0	23
	2	0	0	0	0	0	22
	9	1	1	0	6	0	21
	10	3	0	0	12	0	27
	19	3	0	0	12	0	30
	6	0	0	0	0	0	35
	7	1	6	0	16	0	22
	17	4	0	0	16	0	28
	6	1	0	0	4	0	24
	22	3	0	0	12	0	23
	18	1	0	0	4	0	26
	21	0	0	0	0	0	28
	22	3	0	1	13	0	28
	3	0	0	0	0	0	23
	7	1	0	0	4	0	23
	12	3	0	1	13	0	32
	15	8	10	0	52	5	23
	5	2	0	0	8	0	26
	20	3	0	0	12	17	25
	23	3	0	0	12	0	25
	2	0	0	0	0	0	20
	3	0	0	0	0	0	23
	3	1	0	0	4	0	23
	23	2	0	0	8	0	29
	12	6	0	0	24	0	21
	25	13	0	0	52	0	23
	25	2	0	0	8	0	25
	6	4	0	0	16	0	20
Totals	25	80	63	2	448	–	Average: 25

31 players used.

Source:^[76]

Representative honours

See also: List of Newcastle Knights representatives.

The following players appeared in a representative match or were named in a representative squad in 2021.

Emerging Blues squad

• Bradman Best
• Tex Hoy
• Jacob Saifiti

New South Wales

• Daniel Saifiti

Queensland

• Kurt Mann (18th man)
• Kalyn Ponga

Individual honours

Newcastle Knights awards

• Player of the Year (Danny Buderus Medal): Jacob Saifiti
• Excalibur Club Players' Player: Connor Watson
• Gladiator of the Year: Jayden Brailey
• Community Player of the Year: Josh King
• Rookie of the Year: Brodie Jones
• Knight in Shining Armour: Mitchell Pearce
• Club Person of the Year: Mathew Morris & Jane Farrell
• NSW Cup Player of the Year: Zac Hosking
• NSW Cup Excalibur Club Players' Player: Mat Croker & Luke Huth

Notes and References

1. Web site: NRL clubs to move into Queensland hubs amid NSW COVID-19 outbreak. 11 July 2021. www.abc.net.au.
2. Web site: Knights v Cessnock trial team list. February 16, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
3. Web site: Round 2 Junior Rep team lists. February 9, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
4. Web site: Coburn and Lenehan excited for Knights life. November 26, 2020. Queensland Rugby League.
5. Web site: Jake Clifford joins Knights for remainder of 2021 season. May 29, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
6. Web site: Tyson Frizell accepts Knights offer. March 26, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
7. Web site: Bailey Hodgson joins Knights for '21 season. November 19, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
8. Web site: Jack Johns returns on development deal. November 20, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
9. Web site: Full 2021 NRL squad list and development players. February 4, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
10. Web site: Brayden Musgrove returns to NRL squad. February 4, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
11. Web site: Seibold appointed coaching consultant at Knights. December 22, 2020.
12. Web site: 2021 Signings Tracker: Finucane to Sharks; Moylan re-signs. July 25, 2021. National Rugby League.
13. Web site: Sauaso Sue signs with the Knights. November 19, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
14. Web site: Knights sign towering young Englishman. August 7, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
15. Web site: Cameron to share love nest with his beautiful dancer girlfriend after joining Rabbitohs. Mark. Bode. December 2, 2020. The Northern Daily Leader.
16. Web site: Seagulls, Knights' bond paying dividends. May 20, 2021.
17. Web site: HERMAN HEADED TO THE TITANS. July 13, 2020. Gold Coast Titans.
18. Web site: Boom Knights backrower quits club to link with Gold Coast Titans. BARRY. TOOHEY. January 28, 2020. Newcastle Herald.
19. Web site: David Furner named as part of Bulldogs new Coaching and High Performance Staff for 2021. September 18, 2020. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
20. Web site: Glasby retires: Epitome of hard worker hangs up boots. September 20, 2020. National Rugby League.
21. Web site: Guerra retires: Knights veteran hanging up boots at season's end. September 10, 2020. National Rugby League.
22. Web site: Sea Eagles sign Danny Levi. January 24, 2020. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
23. Web site: Ex-Knight Mason Lino signs with Wakefield in English Super League. Barry. Toohey. 24 November 2020. Newcastle Herald.
24. Web site: Jersey Flegg Training Squad. November 13, 2020. Canberra Raiders.
25. Web site: Sione Mata'utia granted immediate release. November 11, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
26. Web site: Walters keen to move on Andrew McCullough as salary cap strains continue | NRL News. Mitch. Keating. November 7, 2020. Zero Tackle.
27. Web site: O'Brien hopes Moga rebounds with Rabbits after release from Knights. ROBERT. DILLON. November 3, 2020. Newcastle Herald.
28. Web site: Roberts-Davis named in Wests Tigers squad for NRL trial match. Lachlan. Harper. February 19, 2021. The Macleay Argus.
29. Web site: Brandon Russell. Queensland Rugby League.
30. Web site: Newcastle Rugby League: Bayden Searle signs with Macquarie Scorpions for 2021. Josh. Callinan. January 1, 2021. Newcastle Herald.
31. Web site: Former Newcastle Knights forward Matt Kennedy to coach Souths in 2021. Josh. Callinan. December 3, 2020. Newcastle Herald.
32. Web site: NSW Cup side score win to rise into top four. May 17, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
33. Web site: Promising forward Ma'anaima signs NRL deal. August 1, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
34. Web site: NRL 2020: transfers, contracts, Esan Marsters stays at the Cowboys, Danny Levi, Manly, Newcastle Knights. November 6, 2020.
35. Web site: Round 3 Junior Rep team lists. February 16, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
36. Web site: Andrew Ryan quits as Souths Lions coach for dream job at Knights. BARRY. TOOHEY. November 15, 2020. Newcastle Herald.
37. Web site: Round 12 NSW Cup Team List. May 25, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
38. Web site: 'This is everything we want in our staff': O'Brien reveals 2021 coaching team. December 18, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
39. Web site: Bradman Best extends Knights deal. March 2, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
40. Web site: Extended: Brailey a Knight until 2025. September 5, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
41. Web site: Lachlan Fitzgibbon inks new Knights contract. September 1, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
42. Web site: Hymel Hunt extends Knights contract. July 16, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
43. Web site: Brodie Jones inks multi-year Knights deal. July 8, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
44. Web site: Kurt Mann inks two-year Knights extension. July 26, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
45. Web site: O'Brien handed extension; New Pearce deal on way. February 25, 2021. National Rugby League.
46. Web site: Pearce drops contract bombshell. www.newcastleknights.com.au.
47. Web site: Daniel and Jacob Saifiti sign long term Knights deals. July 16, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
48. Web site: To'a inks fresh NRL deal. November 27, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
49. Web site: Round 5 Intrust Super Cup teams. April 20, 2021. Queensland Rugby League.
50. Web site: Knights v Bulldogs NRL Trial team list. February 18, 2022. Newcastle Knights.
51. Web site: Mitch Barnett extends NRL contract. December 18, 2019. Newcastle Knights.
52. Web site: Blake Green confirms retirement from Rugby League. May 25, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
53. Web site: 2022 Round 1 NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg team lists. March 8, 2022. Newcastle Knights.
54. Web site: Updated Team List: Titans v Broncos. February 18, 2022. Brisbane Broncos.
55. Web site: Kalyn Ponga secures Knights NRL future. June 16, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
56. Web site: King to swap Knights for Storm. August 17, 2021. Melbourne Storm.
57. Web site: Barry Toohey Twitter. January 14, 2022. Twitter.
58. Web site: Titan Sports Management. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/titan_sports_management/2700077882555008298 . 2021-12-25 . registration. www.instagram.com.
59. Web site: Rising Knights trio re-sign. November 9, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
60. Web site: New faces hit the field for pre-season training. November 4, 2021. Wests Tigers.
61. Web site: Full NRL squad and development list for 2022 season. March 2, 2022. Newcastle Knights.
62. Web site: Statement: Mitchell Pearce. November 14, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
63. Web site: Newcastle young guns facing squeeze. Mitch. Keating. September 4, 2021. Zero Tackle.
64. Web site: Knights re-sign Edrick Lee. March 2, 2022. Newcastle Knights.
65. Web site: Knights secure Origin and Test enforcer Klemmer. 26 November 2018. 26 November 2018.
66. Web site: Warriors confirm 12 train and trial contracts for 2022. Scott. Pryde. November 8, 2021. Zero Tackle.
67. Web site: Maitland Pickers' Matt Soper-Lawler leaves door open with Knights. Michael. Hartshorn. February 23, 2022. The Maitland Mercury.
68. Web site: Promising youngster Momoisea extends NRL deal. January 28, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
69. Web site: Wests Tigers sign Starford To’a. January 13, 2022. Wests Tigers.
70. Web site: Tuala extends Knights contract. November 22, 2021. Newcastle Knights.
71. Web site: Connor Watson to Return to Roosters in 2022. August 17, 2021. Sydney Roosters.
72. Web site: Titan Sports Management. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/titan_sports_management/2701523631520256003 . 2021-12-25 . registration. www.instagram.com.
73. Web site: 2022 signings tracker: Official rosters for all 16 clubs. November 10, 2021. National Rugby League.
74. Web site: 2021 Signings Tracker: Knights trio re-sign; Feagai twins extend. November 9, 2021. National Rugby League.
75. Web site: Forward Saulo extends NRL contract. January 29, 2020. Newcastle Knights.
76. Web site: NRL 2021 - Newcastle Knights - Rugby League Project. www.rugbyleagueproject.org.