2020 Newcastle Knights season

The 2020 Newcastle Knights season is the 33rd in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and captained by Mitchell Pearce, they compete in the NRL's 2020 Telstra Premiership. On 23 March, the NRL announced that the season would be suspended after round 2, until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The NRL returned on 28 May with a new draw,[2] the Knights' round 3 game coming on 31 May against the Penrith Panthers.[3]

2020 Newcastle Knights season
Team information
CEOPhil Gardner
CoachAdam O'Brien
Captain
StadiumMcDonald Jones Stadium
< 2019 2021 >

Squad
For the complete list of Newcastle Knights players, see List of Newcastle Knights players.
Newcastle Knights
2020 NRL premiership (Top 30) squad Development players Coaching staff
  • Mat Croker - PR
  • Luke Huth - HK
  • Simi Sasagi - FE

Extended squad players

  • Mitch Black - HK
  • Jack Cameron - SR
  • Matt Cooper - FB
  • Zac Hosking - LK
  • Dylan Lucas - FE
  • Toby Marks - WG
  • Brandon Russell - LK
  • Bayden Searle - HB
  • Matt Soper-Lawler - WG

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)

Updated: 31 May 2020
Source(s): Newcastle Knights Profiles,
Rugby League Project

Transfers and Re-signings

Gains
Player/CoachPrevious ClubLength
Adam Bettridge (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)Macquarie Scorpions2020
Jayden BraileyCronulla-Sutherland Sharks2022
Matt CooperEastern Suburbs Tigers2020
David Furner (assistant coach)Leeds Rhinos2022
Andrew McCulloughBrisbane Broncos2020
Adam O'Brien (head coach)Sydney Roosters2022
Willie Peters (assistant coach)South Sydney Rabbitohs2020
Tyronne Roberts-DavisBurleigh Bears2020
Gehamat ShibasakiBrisbane Broncos2022
Matt Soper-LawlerSouths Logan Magpies2020
Enari TualaNorth Queensland Cowboys2020

Losses
Player/CoachClub
Mitch AndrewsContract terminated
Nathan Brown (head coach)Contract terminated
Jamie BuhrerRetirement
Kiah CooperWestern Suburbs Rosellas
Sale FinauSunbury United Rugby League
Jacob GagaiSouth Sydney Rabbitohs
James GavetHuddersfield Giants
Slade GriffinRetirement
Shaun Kenny-DowallHull Kingston Rovers
Brayden MusgroveManly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jesse RamienCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Nathan RossRetirement
James Shepherd (assistant coach)St. George Illawarra Dragons
Sam StoneGold Coast Titans
Kristian Woolf (assistant coach & interim head coach)St Helens R.F.C.
Zac WoolfordNewtown Jets
PlayerJunior side
Mitch BlackKnights Jersey Flegg Cup
Jack CameronKnights Jersey Flegg Cup
Zac HoskingKnights Canterbury Cup NSW
Dylan LucasKnights Jersey Flegg Cup
Toby MarksKnights Jersey Flegg Cup
Brandon RussellKnights Jersey Flegg Cup
Bayden SearleKnights Jersey Flegg Cup

Change of role
Player/CoachNew role
Scott Dureau (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)Knights junior development
Tony Gleeson (Knights JFC assistant coach)Knights Jersey Flegg Cup coach
Rory Kostjasyn (Canterbury Cup NSW coach)Knights development coach

Re-signings
Player/CoachRe-signed to
Mitchell Barnett2023
Hymel Hunt2021
Brodie Jones2020
Jirah Momoisea2022
Kalyn Ponga2024
Chris Randall2020
Daniel Saifiti2022
Pasami Saulo2022
Enari Tuala2021

Player contract situations
2020 (leaving)2020 (off-contract)2021202220232024
Beau Fermor[4]Mitch Black[5]Phoenix Crossland[6]Bradman Best[6]Mitchell Barnett[7]Kalyn Ponga[8]
Danny Levi[9]Jack Cameron[10]Lachlan Fitzgibbon[11]Jayden Brailey[12]David Klemmer[13]
Matt Cooper[5]Tim Glasby[14]Jirah Momoisea[15]
Mat Croker[16]Tex Hoy[17]Daniel Saifiti[18]
Herman Ese'ese[19]Hymel Hunt[20]Pasami Saulo[21]
Aidan Guerra[22]Edrick Lee[23]Gehamat Shibasaki[24]
Zac Hosking[25]Kurt Mann[26]
Luke Huth[16]Sione Mata'utia[27]
Brodie Jones[28]Mitchell Pearce[29]
Josh King[30]Starford To'a[31]
Mason Lino[32]Enari Tuala[33]
Dylan Lucas[5]
Toby Marks[10]
Andrew McCullough[34]
Tautau Moga[35]
Chris Randall[36]
Tyronne Roberts-Davis[37]
Brandon Russell[10]
Jacob Saifiti[38]
Simi Sasagi[39]
Bayden Searle[25]
Matt Soper-Lawler[40]
Connor Watson[41]

Ladder
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Penrith Panthers 7511014398+4511
2 Sydney Roosters 7502020169+13210
3 Parramatta Eels 6501013364+6910
4 Melbourne Storm 7502014883+6510
5 Newcastle Knights 6411014988+619
6 Canberra Raiders 6402010472+328
7 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 640209575+208
8 South Sydney Rabbitohs 73040144134+106
9 Wests Tigers 63030141134+76
10 North Queensland Cowboys 62040143149−64
11 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 62040106126−204
12 St. George Illawarra Dragons 72050106146−404
13 Brisbane Broncos 6204080179−994
14 New Zealand Warriors 7205079182−1034
15 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6105070128−582
16 Gold Coast Titans 6105066181−1152

Milestones

Jerseys and sponsors

In 2020, the Knights' jerseys will be made by O'Neills and their major sponsor is nib Health Funds.

2020 Home Jersey2020 Away Jersey2020 Indigenous Jersey

Fixtures

NRL Nines
Main article: 2020 NRL Nines

Squad: 1. Kurt Gidley 2. Jirah Momoisea 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Brodie Jones 5. Gehamat Shibasaki 6. Aidan Guerra (c) 7. Starford To'a 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Pasami Saulo 10. Kurt Mann (c) 11. Tyronne Roberts-Davis 12. Mason Lino 13. Sione Mata'utia 14. Mitchell Barnett 15. Bayden Searle 16. Tex Hoy 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Matt Soper-Lawler

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Drop Goal Conversions Attendance
Friday, 14 FebruaryRound 1 New Zealand WarriorsHBF Park34-0M.Lino, S.Mata'utia, T.Hoy, M.Soper-LawlerM.Lino (4/4)
Saturday, 15 FebruaryRound 2 Penrith PanthersHBF Park16-4S.Sasagi, J.Saifiti, T.HoyM.Lino (2/3)
Saturday, 15 FebruaryQuarter Finals Parramatta EelsHBF Park7-14T.HoyT.Roberts-Davis (1/1)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Pre-season Trials
Date Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions Attendance
Saturday, 22 February St. George Illawarra DragonsMaitland Sportsground12-38C.Randall, L.Huth,M.Lino (1) T.Hoy (1)
Saturday, 29 February Sydney RoostersCentral Coast Stadium58-0M.Barnett, J.Brailey, K.Ponga, G.Shibasaki, H.Hunt, L.Fitzgibbon, C.Watson, S.Sasagi, T.Hoy, M.BarnettK.Ponga (3), M.Lino (6)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Regular Season
Main article: 2020 NRL season
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions/Penalty Attendance
Saturday 14 MarchRound 1 New Zealand WarriorsMcdonald Jones Stadium20-0D.Saifiti, E.Lee, K.PongaK.Ponga (4/5)10,239
Sunday 22 MarchRound 2 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval42-24E.Tuala (2), M.Barnett, K.Mann, E.Lee, K.Ponga, M.Pearce, C.WatsonK.Ponga (5/9)0 (closed event)
Saturday 28 MarchRound 3 (Suspended)** Cronulla SharksNetstrata Jubilee StadiumSuspended
Friday 3 AprilRound 4 (Suspended)** North Queensland CowboysMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Thursday 9 AprilRound 5 (Suspended)** Manly Sea EaglesLottolandSuspended
Saturday 18 AprilRound 6 (Suspended)** Canberra RaidersMcDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga GIO Stadium*Suspended
Sunday 26 AprilRound 7 (Suspended)** Penrith PanthersMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Saturday 2 MayRound 8 (Suspended)** South Sydney RabbitohsSuncorp StadiumSuspended
Saturday 9 MayRound 9 (Suspended)** St. George Illawarra DragonsMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Thursday 14 MayRound 10 (Suspended)** Sydney RoostersSydney Cricket GroundSuspended
Sunday 24 MayRound 11 (Suspended)** Cronulla SharksMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Saturday 30 MayRound 12 (Suspended)** South Sydney RabbitohsMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Sunday 7 JuneRound 13 (Suspended)** Penrith PanthersPanthers StadiumSuspended
Saturday 13 JuneRound 14 (Suspended)** Melbourne StormMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Sunday 28 JuneRound 15 (Suspended)** Gold Coast TitansMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Round 16 (Suspended)**Bye
Sunday 12 JulyRound 17 (Suspended)** North Queensland CowboysQueensland Country Bank StadiumSuspended
Sunday 19 JulyRound 18 (Suspended)** Brisbane BroncosMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Sunday 26 JulyRound 19 (Suspended)** Wests TigersMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Saturday 1 AugustRound 20 (Suspended)** Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsBankwest StadiumSuspended
Sunday 9 AugustRound 21 (Suspended)** New Zealand WarriorsMt Smart StadiumSuspended
Saturday 15 AugustRound 22 (Suspended)** Manly Sea EaglesMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Saturday 22 AugustRound 23 (Suspended)** Brisbane BroncosSuncorp StadiumSuspended
Friday 28 AugustRound 24 (Suspended)** Parramatta EelsBankwest StadiumSuspended
Sunday 6 SeptemberRound 25 (Suspended)** Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsMcdonald Jones StadiumSuspended
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Suspended
  • From Round 2 the NRL announced matches would be played behind closed doors until further notice due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) situation [42]
  • * Match relocated to Canberra due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) situation [43]
  • ** Season suspended from Round 3 until further notice due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) situation [44]


Updated Regular Season - 21 May 2020

[45]

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions/Penalty Attendance
Saturday 14 MarchRound 1 New Zealand WarriorsMcdonald Jones Stadium20-0D.Saifiti, E.Lee, K.PongaK.Ponga (4/5)10,239
Sunday 22 MarchRound 2 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval42-24E.Tuala (2), M.Barnett, K.Mann, E.Lee, K.Ponga, M.Pearce, C.WatsonK.Ponga (5/9)0 (closed event)
-----Season Suspended due to Covid-19 Pandemic--
Sunday 31 MayRound 3 Penrith PanthersCampbelltown Stadium14-14J.Saifiti, B.Best (2)T.Hoy (1/3)0 (closed event)
Sunday 7 JuneRound 4 Canberra RaidersCampbelltown Stadium34-18B.Best (2), K.Ponga, E.Lee (2), E.TualaK.Ponga (4/5), T.Hoy (1/1)0 (closed event)
Saturday 13 JuneRound 5 Melbourne StormCentral Coast Stadium12-26B.Best, E.LeeK.Ponga (2/3)Not Counted
Thursday 18 JuneRound 6 Brisbane BroncosCentral Coast Stadium27-6K.Mann, H.Hunt, D.Saifiti, M.PearceK.Ponga (5/5), M.Pearce (1/1 Field Goal)167 *Restricted Capacity
Saturday 27 JuneRound 7 North Queensland CowboysQueensland Country Bank Stadium
Sunday 5 JulyRound 8 Manly Sea EaglesCentral Coast Stadium
Sunday 12 JulyRound 9 Parramatta EelsCentral Coast Stadium
Saturday 18 JulyRound 10 South Sydney RabbitohsTBA
Sunday 26 JulyRound 11 Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsTBA
Sunday 2 AugustRound 12 Melbourne StormTBA
Saturday 8 AugustRound 13 Wests TigersTBA
Sunday 16 AugustRound 14 Manly Sea EaglesTBA
Sunday 23 AugustRound 15 North Queensland CowboysTBA
Saturday 29 AugustRound 16 New Zealand WarriorsTBA
Friday 4 SeptemberRound 17 Cronulla SharksTBA
Saturday 12 SeptemberRound 18 Sydney RoostersTBA
Sunday 20 SeptemberRound 19 St. George Illawarra DragonsTBA
Friday 25 SeptemberRound 20 Gold Coast TitansTBA
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Statistics
NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField GoalsPointsCaptainAge
Mitchell Barnett21004026
Bradman Best450020019
Jayden Brailey20000024
Herman Ese'ese60000026
Lachlan Fitzgibbon30000026
Tim Glasby60000031
Aidan Guerra60000032
Tex Hoy40204021
Hymel Hunt61004027
Brodie Jones30000022
David Klemmer60000027
Edrick Lee650020028
Kurt Mann62008027
Sione Mata'utia40000024
Andrew McCullough30000030
Mitchell Pearce62019631
Kalyn Ponga5320052022
Chris Randall10000025
Daniel Saifiti62008024
Jacob Saifiti61004024
Gehamat Shibasaki30000022
Enari Tuala530012022
Connor Watson31004024
Totals626221149-Average: 25

23 players used.

Source:[46]

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 2020.

Indigenous All Stars

Māori All Stars

New South Wales extended 64-man squad

References
  1. "NRL announces suspension of 2020 season due to coronavirus pandemic - ABC News". www.abc.net.au. March 23, 2020.
  2. "Back on deck: Players set to train when details land next week". National Rugby League. May 1, 2020.
  3. "LIVE NRL: Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights: Round 3 blog, Scores, Updates, Supercoach, video". May 31, 2020.
  4. TOOHEY, BARRY (January 28, 2020). "Boom Knights backrower quits club to link with Gold Coast Titans". Newcastle Herald.
  5. "Knights v Dragons NRL Maitland trial team list". Newcastle Knights. February 19, 2020.
  6. "Knights re-sign three bright prospects". Newcastle Knights. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  7. "Mitch Barnett extends NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. December 18, 2019.
  8. https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/06/16/kalyn-ponga-secures-knights-nrl-future/
  9. "Danny Levi granted release from NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. January 21, 2020.
  10. "20s guns and ex-Titan! Pre-season additions confirmed". Newcastle Knights. November 12, 2019.
  11. "Knights re-sign FItzgibbon - Zero Tackle". 5 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  12. "Jayden Brailey to join Knights in 2020". Newcastle Knights. 31 July 2019.
  13. "Knights secure Origin and Test enforcer Klemmer". 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  14. "Tim Glasby signs with Knights - Zero Tackle". 16 May 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  15. "Promising youngster Momoisea extends NRL deal". Newcastle Knights. January 28, 2020.
  16. "Young Knights building pathways". 23 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  17. "Tex Hoy promoted to Knights Top 30 NRL squad". Newcastle Knights. February 29, 2020.
  18. "NSW Origin prop Daniel Saifiti inks new deal". Newcastle Knights. November 11, 2019.
  19. "Knights sign Herman Ese'ese - Zero Tackle". 27 July 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  20. "Hymel Hunt inks new Knights deal". Newcastle Knights. November 4, 2019.
  21. "Forward Saulo extends NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. January 29, 2020.
  22. "Newcastle Knights sign Aidan Guerra - Zero Tackle". 15 June 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  23. "Knights add Lee - Zero Tackle". 25 June 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  24. "Gehamat Shibasaki signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. December 5, 2019.
  25. "NRL Newcastle Knights 2020 pre-season train and trial and extended squad". Newcastle Knights. November 12, 2019.
  26. Moorhead, Joseph (9 December 2018). "Knights slay the Dragons in Kurt Mann poaching". Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  27. "Knights re-sign Sione Mata'utia - Zero Tackle". 28 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  28. "Knights re-sign promising backrower Jones". Newcastle Knights. November 5, 2019.
  29. "Newcastle Knights sign Mitchell Pearce - Zero Tackle". 30 November 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  30. "King secures contract extension". 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  31. "Exciting back Starford To'a awarded new deal". Newcastle Knights. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  32. "Lino becomes a Knight - Zero Tackle". 25 September 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  33. "Enari Tuala re-signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. March 2, 2020.
  34. "Andrew McCullough joins Knights for 2020 NRL season". Newcastle Knights. May 21, 2020.
  35. "Newcastle sign Tautau Moga - Zero Tackle". 18 July 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  36. "Randall rewarded with Development Deal". Newcastle Knights. March 3, 2020.
  37. "Tyronne Roberts-Davis secures NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. February 28, 2020.
  38. Media, NRL Digital. "Saifitis extend until 2020". Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  39. "Exciting teen prospect Sasagi extends contract". Newcastle Knights. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  40. TOOHEY, BARRY (October 23, 2019). "Prolific try-scorer chasing a second coming at the Knights". Newcastle Herald.
  41. "Connor Watson to join Knights - Zero Tackle". 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  42. "NRL measures for 2020 season". National Rugby League. March 13, 2020.
  43. "Wagga Wagga match moved back to Canberra". Canberra Raiders. March 17, 2020.
  44. "NRL suspends competition due to coronavirus pandemic". National Rugby League. March 23, 2020.
  45. "NRL Telstra Premiership draw". National Rugby League. May 21, 2020.
  46. "NRL 2020 - Newcastle Knights - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
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