2024 Newcastle Knights season explained

Year:	2024
Team Colour:	0000FF
Font Colour:	FFFFFF
League:	NRL
League Rank:	8th
League Wins:	12
League Losses:	12
Points For:	470
Points Against:	510
Ceo Title:	CEO
Coach Title:	Coach
Avg Attendance:	22,635
High Attendance:	29,433
Top Tries:	Fletcher Sharpe (11)
Top Goals:	Kalyn Ponga (46)
Top Points:	Kalyn Ponga (104)
Next Season:	2025

The 2024 Newcastle Knights season was the 37th in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and captained by Kalyn Ponga, they competed in the NRL's 2024 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 8th place (out of 17), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the North Queensland Cowboys in week 1.

Transfers and re-signings

Gains

Player/Coach	Previous club	Length	Source
Jed Cartwright	South Sydney Rabbitohs	2025	^[1]
Jack Cogger	Penrith Panthers	2026	^[2]
Zach Herring	St. George Illawarra Dragons	2024	^[3]
Thomas Jenkins	Penrith Panthers	2025	^[4]
Fletcher Myers	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	2024	^[5]
Kai Pearce-Paul	Wigan Warriors	2025	^[6]
Will Pryce	Huddersfield Giants	2025

Losses

Player/Coach	Club	Source
Dane Aukafolau	Northern Pride RLFC	^[7]
Fa'amanu Brown	Hull F.C.	^[8]
Jed Cartwright	Hull F.C.	^[9]
Adam Clune	Huddersfield Giants	^[10]
Lachlan Fitzgibbon	Warrington Wolves	^[11]
Tony Gleeson (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)	Released	^[12]
Bailey Hodgson	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	^[13]
Hymel Hunt	Released	^[14]
Jack Johns	Released
Oryn Keeley	Dolphins	^[15]
David Klemmer	Wests Tigers	^[16]
Kurt Mann	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	^[17]
Lachie Miller	Leeds Rhinos	^[18]
Michael Monaghan (NSW Cup coach)	Gold Coast Titans	^[19]
Fletcher Myers	South Sydney Rabbitohs	^[20]
Chris Randall	Gold Coast Titans	^[21]
Ryan Rivett	Toulouse Olympique	^[22]
Kobe Rugless	Blacktown Workers	^[23]
Simi Sasagi	Canberra Raiders	^[24]
Ben Talty	North Sydney Bears	^[25]
Tevita Toloi	Released	^[26]
Chris Vea'ila	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	^[27]
Dom Young	Sydney Roosters	^[28]

Promoted juniors

Player	Junior side	Source
Paul Bryan	Jersey Flegg Cup
Kyle McCarthy	S. G. Ball Cup	^[29]
Laitia Moceidreke	NSW Cup	^[30]
Fletcher Sharpe	Jersey Flegg Cup
Sebastian Su'a	NSW Cup

Re-signings

Player/Coach	Re-signed to	Source
Bradman Best	2027	^[31]
Tom Cant	2026	^[32]
Mat Croker	2025	^[33]
Dane Gagai	2026	^[34]
Tyson Gamble	2026	^[35]
Adam O'Brien (head coach)	2027	^[36]
Jacob Saifiti	2027	^[37]
Fletcher Sharpe	2026

Change of role

Player/Coach	New role	Source
Michael Dobson (Head of Pathways)	Jersey Flegg Cup coach
Ronald Griffiths (NRLW coach)	NSW Cup coach

Player contract situations

2024 (left)	2025	2026	2027
David Armstrong^[38]	Jayden Brailey^[39]	Tom Cant	Bradman Best
Jed Cartwright	Paul Bryan^[40]	Jack Cogger	Kyle McCarthy^[41]
Zach Herring^[42]	Mat Croker	Phoenix Crossland^[43]	Kalyn Ponga^[44]
Thomas Jenkins^[45]	Adam Elliott^[46]	Tyson Frizell^[47]	Jacob Saifiti
Krystian Mapapalangi	Jackson Hastings^[48]	Dane Gagai
Myles Martin^[49]	Jack Hetherington	Tyson Gamble
Laitia Moceidreke	Brodie Jones^[50]	Greg Marzhew^[51]
Fletcher Myers	Riley Jones	Fletcher Sharpe
Ryan Rivett	Dylan Lucas^[52]
Daniel Saifiti^[53]	Kai Pearce-Paul
Enari Tuala	Will Pryce
	Sebastian Su'a
	Leo Thompson^[54]

Fixtures

Pre-season trials

Date	Opponent	Venue	Score	Tries	Conversions	Attendance
Saturday, 17 February	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	Industree Group Stadium	44–18	D.Armstrong (2), D.Lucas (2), K.McCarthy, R.Jones, J.Cogger, W.Pryce	J.Cogger (3/3), W.Pryce (2/4), T.Gamble (1/1)	7,952
Saturday, 24 February	Melbourne Storm	Churchill Park	10-28	E.Tuala, B.Best	K.Ponga (1/2)	5,218
Legend:

Source:^[55]

Matches

See main article: 2024 NRL season results. The league fixtures were announced on 13 November 2023.^[56]

Finals series

See main article: 2024 NRL finals series.

Matches

Statistics

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Points	Captain	Age
	5	5	0	0	20	0	23
	17	7	0	0	28	0	23
	23	1	0	0	4	8	28
	3	0	0	0	0	0	22
	3	0	0	0	0	0	28
	17	2	0	0	8	0	27
	16	1	0	0	4	0	25
	24	1	0	0	4	0	24
	23	4	0	0	16	0	30
	19	5	0	0	20	13	33
	22	8	10	0	52	4	33
	14	2	0	0	8	0	28
	16	3	19	0	50	0	28
	20	1	0	0	4	0	28
	5	0	0	0	0	0	23
	18	2	0	0	8	0	26
	21	7	0	0	28	0	24
	4	1	0	0	4	0	22
	22	7	0	0	28	0	27
	1	0	0	0	0	0	20
	22	1	0	0	4	0	23
	16	3	46	0	104	16	26
	5	1	2	0	8	0	22
	23	3	0	0	12	0	28
	16	1	0	0	4	0	28
	12	11	0	0	44	0	20
	1	0	0	0	0	0	21
	23	1	0	0	4	0	24
	15	5	0	0	20	0	26
Totals	25	83	76	0	486	–	Average: 25

29 players used.

Source:^[57]

Milestones

• Round 1: Kai Pearce-Paul made his NRL debut for the club, after previously playing for the Wigan Warriors.
• Round 2: Jed Cartwright made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
• Round 2: Adam Elliott scored his first try for the club.
• Round 2: Thomas Jenkins made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Penrith Panthers.
• Round 6: Greg Marzhew played his 50th career game.
• Round 8: David Armstrong made his NRL debut for the club and scored his first career try.
• Round 8: Jacob Saifiti played his 150th career game.
• Round 10: Leo Thompson played his 50th career game.
• Round 11: Enari Tuala played his 100th career game.
• Round 14: Jayden Brailey played his 50th game for the club.
• Round 14: Fletcher Sharpe made his NRL debut for the club and scored his first career try.
• Round 17: Will Pryce made his NRL debut for the club, after previously playing for the Huddersfield Giants, scoring a try.
• Round 18: Tyson Frizell played his 250th career game.
• Round 18: Will Pryce kicked his first goal for the club.
• Round 19: Mat Croker played his 50th career game.
• Round 19: Jackson Hastings played his 100th career game.
• Round 23: Krystian Mapapalangi scored his first career try.
• Round 24: Kyle McCarthy made his NRL debut for the club.
• Round 24: Kai Pearce-Paul scored his first try for the club.
• Round 25: Sebastian Su'a made his NRL debut for the club.

NRL Women's team

Year:	2024
Team Colour:	0000FF
Font Colour:	FFFFFF
League:	NRLW
League Rank:	3rd
League Wins:	6
League Losses:	3
Points For:	238
Points Against:	132
Ceo Title:	CEO
Coach Title:	Coach
Avg Attendance:	6,700
High Attendance:	9,479
Top Tries:	Sheridan Gallagher (9)
Top Goals:	Jesse Southwell (22)
Top Points:	Jesse Southwell (44)
Next Season:	2025

The 2024 Newcastle Knights Women's season was the 4th in the club's history. Coached by Ben Jeffries and captained by Hannah Southwell, they competed in the NRLW's 2024 NRL Women's Premiership, finishing the regular season in 3rd place (out of 10), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the Sydney Roosters in the Grand Final qualifier.

Player gains and losses

Player gains
Player/Coach	Previous club	Length	Source
Leilani Ahsam	Tweed Heads Seagulls	2025	^[58]
Ben Jeffries (head coach)	North Queensland Cowboys	2026	^[59]
Grace Kukutai	Chiefs Manawa	2025
Isabella Waterman	Hurricanes Poua	2025
Tenika Willison	New Zealand Black Ferns Sevens	2025	^[60]

Losses
Player/Coach	Club	Source
Tiana Davison	Sydney Roosters	^[61]
Ronald Griffiths (head coach)	Knights NSW Cup coach
Felila Kia	Released	^[62]
Tamerah Leati	Released
Tazmyne Luschwitz	Released
Caitlin Moran	Illawarra Steelers	^[63]
Jasmin Strange	Sydney Roosters
Tylah Vallance	Released

Promoted juniors
Player	Junior side	Source
Evah McEwan	Knights Tarsha Gale Cup
Leah Ollerton	Knights Tarsha Gale Cup	^[64]
Lilly-Ann White	Knights Tarsha Gale Cup

Player re-signings
Player/Coach	Re-signed to	Source
Jacinta Carter	2027
Fane Finau	2026	^[65]
Sheridan Gallagher	2025	^[66]
Olivia Higgins	2026
Simone Karpani	2026
Nita Maynard	2024
Viena Tinao	2025

Player contract situations

2024 (left)	2025	2026	2027
Laishon Albert-Jones^[67]	Leilani Ahsam	Fane Finau	Evie Jones^[68]
Rima Butler^[69]	Yasmin Clydsdale^[70]	Olivia Higgins	Georgia Roche^[71]
Jacinta Carter^[72]	Sheridan Gallagher	Simone Karpani	Hannah Southwell^[73]
Jayde Herdegen^[74]	Grace Kukutai^[75]	Jules Kirkpatrick^[76]	Jesse Southwell
Caitlan Johnston-Green^[77]	Evah McEwan	Tayla Predebon
Tamerah Leati	Leah Ollerton	Kayla Romaniuk
Nita Maynard	Shanice Parker
Abigail Roache	Viena Tinao
Tamika Upton^[78]	Isabella Waterman
	Lilly-Ann White
	Tenika Willison

Women's statistics

Name	Appearances	Tries	Goals	Field Goals	Points	Captain	Age
	10	3	0	0	12	0	27
	8	1	0	0	4	0	27
	1	0	0	0	0	0	20
	10	3	0	0	12	0	30
	8	9	3	0	42	0	22
	10	4	0	0	16	0	32
	2	1	0	0	4	0	23
	4	2	0	0	8	0	19
	7	0	0	0	0	0	27
	3	0	0	0	0	0	27
	8	0	0	0	0	0	32
	2	1	0	0	4	0	18
	10	2	0	0	8	0	26
	9	1	0	0	4	0	24
	9	3	0	0	12	0	24
	10	2	4	0	16	0	24
	10	1	0	0	4	0	22
	10	2	0	0	8	10	25
	9	0	22	0	44	0	19
	6	0	0	0	0	0	22
	10	7	0	0	28	0	27
	2	0	0	0	0	0	24
	5	3	0	0	12	0	19
	7	4	0	0	16	0	27
Totals	10	49	29	0	254	–	Average: 24

24 players used.

Source:^[79]

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 2024.

Australia

• Bradman Best (squad member)

Australia (Women's)

• Yasmin Clydsdale
• Olivia Higgins
• Jesse Southwell (squad member)
• Tamika Upton

Indigenous All Stars

• Adam Elliott
• Ronald Griffiths (coach)

Indigenous All Stars (Women's)

• Tamika Upton

Māori All Stars

• Dane Gagai
• Leo Thompson

Māori All Stars (Women's)

• Rima Butler
• Shanice Parker

New South Wales

• Bradman Best

New South Wales (Women's)

• Yasmin Clydsdale
• Olivia Higgins
• Caitlan Johnston-Green

New Zealand

• Phoenix Crossland
• Leo Thompson

New Zealand (Women's)

• Laishon Albert-Jones (extended squad)
• Shanice Parker
• Abigail Roache

Prime Minister's XIII

• Dylan Lucas
• Fletcher Sharpe

Prime Minister's XIII (Women's)

• Jesse Southwell

Queensland

• Dane Gagai
• Kalyn Ponga

Queensland (Women's)

• Tamika Upton

Samoa (Women's)

• Simone Karpani
• Evah McEwan

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cartwright to become a Knight. 2 August 2023. Newcastle Knights.
2. Web site: Knights sign Cogger. 2 August 2023. Newcastle Knights.
3. Web site: 2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Oates rides on with Broncos; Staines extends Tigers stay. 21 November 2023. National Rugby League.
4. Web site: Knights secure Tom Jenkins. 31 October 2023. Newcastle Knights.
5. Web site: Knights 2024 NRL squad list. 5 February 2024. Newcastle Knights.
6. Web site: Knights announce English signings. 5 December 2022. Newcastle Knights.
7. Web site: Instagram. www.instagram.com.
8. Web site: Fa'amanu Brown Signs For 2024. Lewis. Scott. 13 October 2023.
9. Web site: Knights agree to release Cartwright. 7 June 2024. Newcastle Knights.
10. News: Huddersfield sign Australian scrum-half Clune. BBC Sport . 26 October 2023 .
11. Web site: What Lachlan Fitzgibbon has said about bringing his Wire move forward. 10 July 2023. Warrington Guardian.
12. Web site: Griffiths appointed Knights NSW Cup Coach. 2 November 2023. Newcastle Knights.
13. Web site: English fullback Bailey Hodgson lands NRL lifeline after leaving Knights. Joe. Appleyard. 5 November 2023. Yorkshire Live.
14. Web site: Kalyn Ponga claims 2023 Danny Buderus Medal. 5 September 2023. Newcastle Knights.
15. Web site: Young gun Oryn Keeley to join the Dolphins in 24'. 5 October 2023. The Dolphins.
16. Web site: David Klemmer signs long-term deal. 16 November 2022. Wests Tigers.
17. Web site: A New Breed in Hutchison, Mann, Turpin and Faamausili. 8 November 2023. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
18. Web site: Rhinos secure Miller on three-year deal. www.superleague.co.uk.
19. Web site: Monaghan joins beefed up coaching staff for '24. 5 October 2023. Gold Coast Titans.
20. Web site: Rabbitohs sign Fletcher Myers immediately until the end of Season 2025 – South Sydney Rabbitohs. 3 July 2024. Site Name, i.e. Moz.
21. Web site: Randall headed to the Coast for '23. 29 November 2022. Gold Coast Titans.
22. Web site: NRL starlet signs for Championship club Toulouse Olympique on two-year contract. 17 February 2024. LoveRugbyLeague.
23. Web site: Rd 20 Blacktown Workers team vs Raiders. 11 July 2023. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
24. Web site: Raiders re-sign Tom Starling and sign Simi Sasagi. 21 August 2023. Canberra Raiders.
25. Web site: 2023 Team Lists: Grand Final. Bears. Admin. 18 September 2023.
26. Web site: Barry Toohey Twitter. 17 January 2023. Twitter.
27. Web site: Jersey Flegg Team List – Round 20. 11 July 2023. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
28. Web site: 'Hang up the phone': Roosters told to 'p**s off' in epic spray over bold Dom Young move. 23 February 2023. Fox Sports.
29. Web site: NRL Squad Update: Sharks v Knights. 17 August 2024. Newcastle Knights.
30. Web site: Knights elevate outside backs. 29 February 2024. Newcastle Knights.
31. Web site: Knights re-sign Bradman Best. 13 February 2024. Newcastle Knights.
32. Web site: Young gun extends for two seasons. 27 August 2024. Newcastle Knights.
33. Web site: Knights re-sign Mat Croker. 1 October 2024. Newcastle Knights.
34. Web site: Gagai re-signs with the Knights. 10 May 2024. Newcastle Knights.
35. Web site: Knights all in as Gamble re-signs. 5 July 2024. Newcastle Knights.
36. Web site: O'Brien signs new three-year deal at Knights. 14 February 2024. ESPN.com.
37. Web site: Knights re-sign Jacob Saifiti. 28 November 2023. Newcastle Knights.
38. Web site: Club Statement: David Armstrong. 26 June 2024. Newcastle Knights.
39. Web site: Extended: Brailey a Knight until 2025. 5 September 2021. Newcastle Knights.
40. Web site: 2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Gamble inks new Knights deal; Townsend joins Roosters. 5 July 2024. National Rugby League.
41. Web site: Newcastle Knights rookie Kyle McCarthy reflects on his NRL debut. Robert. Dillon. 19 August 2024. Newcastle Herald.
42. Web site: Rovers bring in Australian half Zach Herring for 2025 – Featherstone Rovers Rugby League.
43. Web site: Knights Re-Sign Crossland. 25 October 2023. Newcastle Knights.
44. Web site: Kalyn Ponga Re-Signs. 20 April 2022. Newcastle Knights.
45. Web site: Knights confirm departures of six players. Ethan Lee. Chalk. 17 September 2024. Zero Tackle.
46. Web site: Knights take two big forward steps. 10 June 2022. Newcastle Knights.
47. Web site: Frizell re-signs with the Knights. 27 July 2023. Newcastle Knights.
48. Web site: Knights sign Jackson Hastings. 16 November 2022. Newcastle Knights.
49. Web site: Papali'i's surprise contract change as Raiders raid Knights again. 22 May 2024. The Canberra Times.
50. Web site: Knights re-sign Brodie Jones. 23 October 2024. Newcastle Knights.
51. Web site: Knights extend Marzhew. 30 August 2023. Newcastle Knights.
52. Web site: Knights re-sign Lucas and Tuala. 8 August 2023. Newcastle Knights.
53. Web site: Saifiti joins the Dolphins. 1 October 2024. The Dolphins.
54. Web site: Three more years for rising star Leo Thompson. 28 July 2022. Newcastle Knights.
55. Web site: Knights v Sharks .
56. Web site: 2023-11-13 . 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership schedule released . 2024-03-24 . National Rugby League . en.
57. Web site: NRL 2024 - Newcastle Knights - RLP. www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
58. Web site: Knights confirm 2024 NRLW squad. 24 May 2024. Newcastle Knights.
59. Web site: Knights announce new NRLW Head Coach. 10 January 2024. Newcastle Knights.
60. Web site: Knights sign Rugby International for 2024 NRLW season. 31 July 2024. Newcastle Knights.
61. Web site: Tiana Davison and Jasmin Strange join Roosters NRLW squad. 14 December 2023. Sydney Roosters.
62. Web site: 2024 NRLW Signings Tracker: Eels young guns ink new deals; Hunt joins Red V. 2 June 2024. National Rugby League.
63. Web site: HNWP | Team List Tuesday | Illawarra Rugby League.
64. Web site: Knights announce 2024 NRLW signings. 8 December 2023. Newcastle Knights.
65. Web site: 2024 NRLW Signings Tracker: Squads announced for new season. 10 June 2024. National Rugby League.
66. Web site: Knights re-sign Sheridan Gallagher. 19 January 2024. Newcastle Knights.
67. Web site: Albert-Jones: Ron's a coach who genuinely cares. 16 September 2024. Warriors.
68. Web site: Knights lock in NRLW locals. 19 July 2024. Newcastle Knights.
69. Web site: Rima Butler to join the Roosters. 14 October 2024. Sydney Roosters.
70. Web site: Clydsdale commits for Knights NRLW charge. 13 April 2023. Newcastle Knights.
71. Web site: NRLW, Newcastle Knights, Georgia Roche, Telstra Hersday, English star talks about the biggest move of her life | Knights. 20 July 2023. Newcastle Knights.
72. Web site: Instagram. www.instagram.com.
73. Web site: Home is where the heart is for Southwell sisters. 19 April 2023. Newcastle Knights.
74. Web site: Host of international and NRLW experience bolsters Knights. 10 May 2023. Newcastle Knights.
75. Web site: Knights secure key NRLW signatures. 23 October 2024. Newcastle Knights.
76. Web site: Knights secure NRLW rising stars. 11 September 2024. Newcastle Knights.
77. Web site: World-class Johnston to join Sharks in 2025. 2 May 2024. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
78. Web site: Club Statement: Tamika Upton. 21 November 2024. Newcastle Knights.
79. Web site: NRLW 2024 - Newcastle Knights (W) - RLP. www.rugbyleagueproject.org.