2021 Newcastle Knights season
NRL Rank7th
Play-off resultElimination Finalists (Week 1)
2021 recordWins: 12; draws: 0; losses: 12
Points scoredFor: 428; against: 571
Team information
CEOPhil Gardner
CoachAdam O'Brien
Captain
StadiumMcDonald Jones Stadium
Avg. attendance17,636
High attendance23,015
Top scorers
TriesEnari Tuala (13)
GoalsJake Clifford (33)
PointsJake Clifford (74)
< 2020 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.

Squad

Newcastle Knights 2021 squad
2021 NRL top 30 squad Development players Coaching staff

Extended squad players

  • 327 Mat Croker – PR
  • McKenzie Baker – FB
  • Mitch Black – HK
  • Zane Camroux – FE
  • Tyler Coburn – SR (pre-season training experience)
  • Harry Croker – SR
  • Zac Hosking – LK
  • Cooper Jenkins – SR
  • Blake Lenehan – LK (pre-season training experience)
  • Dylan Lucas – CE
  • Jaron Purcell – LK
  • Matt Soper-Lawler – WG
  • Daniel Ticehurst – PR
  • Chris Vea'ila – FB

Head coach

Assistant coaches

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

Updated: 9 November 2021
Source(s): Newcastle Knights Profiles,
Rugby League Project

Transfers and Re-signings

Gains

Player/CoachPrevious ClubLengthSource
McKenzie BakerSydney Roosters2021[2]
Zane CamrouxWests Tigers2021[3]
Tyler CoburnIpswich JetsPre-season[4]
Jake CliffordNorth Queensland Cowboys2023[5]
Tyson FrizellSt. George Illawarra Dragons2023[6]
Bailey HodgsonCastleford Tigers2023[7]
Jack JohnsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs2021[8]
Jacob KirazNorth Queensland Cowboys2021[9]
Blake LenehanIpswich JetsPre-season[4]
Brayden MusgroveCessnock Goannas2022[10]
Andrew Ryan (NSW Cup coach)South Newcastle Lions2021[11]
Garrett SmithNorth Queensland Cowboys2021[12]
Sauaso SueCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2022[13]
Dom YoungHuddersfield Giants2023[14]

Losses

Player/CoachClubSource
Jack CameronSouth Sydney Rabbitohs[15]
Matt CooperLakes United[16]
Herman Ese'eseGold Coast Titans[17]
Beau FermorGold Coast Titans[18]
David Furner (assistant coach)Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs[19]
Tim GlasbyRetirement[20]
Tony Gleeson (NSW Cup coach)Released
Aidan GuerraRetirement[21]
Danny LeviManly Warringah Sea Eagles[22]
Mason LinoWakefield Trinity[23]
Toby MarksCanberra Raiders[24]
Sione Mata'utiaSt Helens R.F.C.[25]
Andrew McCulloughBrisbane Broncos[26]
Tautau MogaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs[27]
Tyronne Roberts-DavisWests Tigers[28]
Brandon RussellTweed Heads Seagulls[29]
Bayden SearleMacquarie Scorpions[30]
PlayerJunior sideSource
Harry CrokerKnights Jersey Flegg Cup[31]
Cooper JenkinsKnights Jersey Flegg Cup[32]
Christian Ma'anaimaKnights Jersey Flegg Cup[33]
Jaron PurcellKnights Jersey Flegg Cup[2]
Daniel TicehurstKnights Jersey Flegg Cup[34]
Chris Vea'ilaKnights S. G. Ball Cup[35]

Change of role

Player/CoachNew roleSource
Adam Bettridge (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)Knights S. G. Ball Cup assistant coach[36]
Luke HuthKnights NSW Cup[37]
Rory Kostjasyn (Knights development coach)Knights NRL assistant coach[38]
Eric Smith (Knights development coach)Knights NRL assistant coach[38]

Re-signings

Player/CoachRe-signed toSource
Bradman Best2024[39]
Jayden Brailey2025[40]
Lachlan Fitzgibbon2023[41]
Hymel Hunt2023[42]
Brodie Jones2023[43]
Kurt Mann2023[44]
Adam O'Brien (head coach)2024[45]
Mitchell Pearce2022[46]
Daniel Saifiti2026[47]
Jacob Saifiti2024[47]
Starford To'a2023[48]

Player contract situations

2021 (left)20222023202420252026
Tyler Coburn[49]McKenzie Baker[50]Mitchell Barnett[51]Bradman Best[39]Jayden Brailey[40]Daniel Saifiti[47]
Blake Green[52]Mitch Black[53]Jake Clifford[5]Jacob Saifiti[47]
Zac Hosking[54]Zane Camroux[53]Lachlan Fitzgibbon[41]Kalyn Ponga[55]
Josh King[56]Harry Croker[31]Tyson Frizell[6]
Jacob Kiraz[57]Mat Croker[58]Bailey Hodgson[7]
Blake Lenehan[49]Phoenix Crossland[59]Hymel Hunt[42]
Christian Ma'anaima[60]Tex Hoy[61]Jack Johns[59]
Mitchell Pearce[62]Cooper Jenkins[50]Brodie Jones[43]
Gehamat Shibasaki[63]Edrick Lee[64]David Klemmer[65]
Garrett Smith[66]Dylan Lucas[50]Kurt Mann[44]
Matt Soper-Lawler[67]Jirah Momoisea[68]Chris Randall[59]
Starford To'a[69]Brayden Musgrove[10]Enari Tuala[70]
Connor Watson[71]Jaron Purcell[72]Chris Vea'ila[73]
Simi Sasagi[74]Dom Young[14]
Pasami Saulo[75]
Sauaso Sue[13]
Daniel Ticehurst[34]

Ladder

2021 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Melbourne Storm 2421031815316+49944
2 Penrith Panthers (P) 2421031676286+39044
3 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2420041775453+32242
4 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2416081744492+25234
5 Sydney Roosters 2416081630489+14134
6 Parramatta Eels 2415091566457+10932
7 Newcastle Knights 24120121428571−14326
8 Gold Coast Titans 24100141580583−322
9 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24100141520556−3622
10 Canberra Raiders 24100141481578−9722
11 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2480161474616−14218
12 New Zealand Warriors 2480161453624−17118
13 Wests Tigers 2480161500714−21418
14 Brisbane Broncos 2470171446695−24916
15 North Queensland Cowboys 2470171460748−28816
16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2430211340710−3708

Milestones

Jerseys and sponsors

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

2021 Home Jersey2021 Away Jersey2021 Heritage Jersey2021 Indigenous Jersey2021 NSW Mining Jersey

Fixtures

Pre-season Trials

Date Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions Attendance
Saturday, 27 February Melbourne StormAlbury Sports Ground10–30D.Lucas, D.YoungC.Randall (1/1)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Statistics

NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField GoalsPointsCaptainAge
Mitchell Barnett24413042027
Bradman Best1730012020
Jayden Brailey23300122025
Jake Clifford13233074023
Mat Croker20000022
Phoenix Crossland91106021
Lachlan Fitzgibbon1030012027
Tyson Frizell1930012030
Blake Green60000035
Tex Hoy716016022
Hymel Hunt1740016028
Jack Johns61004024
Brodie Jones2230012023
Josh King181004026
David Klemmer210000028
Kurt Mann2230113028
Jirah Momoisea30000023
Brayden Musgrove71004023
Mitchell Pearce1230113032
Kalyn Ponga15810052523
Chris Randall52008026
Daniel Saifiti20300121725
Jacob Saifiti2330012025
Simi Sasagi20000020
Pasami Saulo30000023
Gehamat Shibasaki31004023
Sauaso Sue232008029
Starford To'a1260024021
Enari Tuala25130052023
Connor Watson252008025
Dom Young640016020
Totals2580632448–Average: 25

31 players used.

Source:[76]

Representative honours

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

Emerging Blues squad

New South Wales

Queensland

Individual honours

Newcastle Knights awards

References

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