Well they sort of have gone spine first from what I can tell. Hodkinson, Ponga and they've 100% backed Levi early.
They went and got Kostjayson too. Which I think is adding an experienced head to pair with and teach Levi. Something the Knights have lacked for a while.
Knights are going through what looks like a worse recruitment drive than the ones we had with Elliott and Furner. They have ZERO pulling power. So while they have finally moved on the older, the drugged and the otherwise dead wood, they have no pull to replace them. Add to that, anyone half decent is jumping ship.
You'd have to think they are going to have to go hard for a couple of decent forwards and a couple of decent backs in the next yr to give Hodkinson, Kostjayson, Levi and Ponga (My 2 cents is, he wont see FG at Cowboys this yr, and we will see him move mid yr) something to work with.
Matt scott, ponga, wardle and if the can nab another half they're probably going in the right direction.
Levi has talent but I'd rather see him off the bench or only playing 60mins with a break. He's got the skills just not sure he's got the wits.
Hodkinson obviously hampered with knees or he's another "bulldog effect" player
NRL’s scare tactic to offload Newcastle Knights: Ipswich relocation
THE delayed sale of the Newcastle Knights has led to a strong rumour that the financially strapped club would be moved to Ipswich to create the fourth Queensland side broadcasters want.
It is likely a negotiating tactic to force the powerful Wests Leagues Club in Newcastle to step forward to buy the club. A scare ploy more than anything else.
Its just not that simple for Wests, they are the largest membership club in Aust and something of the size of buying the knights must go through correct protocols
There was an article in the Newcastle paper yesterday saying the Knights were interested in signing Fensom and the Raiders were prepared to pay a large portion of his contract, but Fensom wanted a 2 year deal and Newcastle would only offer 1. They're no longer interested after signing Tupou.
Newcastle Knights star Dane Gagai has big plans for 2017 NRL season
Dane Gagai has big plans for 2017.
It started with a starring performance in the Indigenous All Stars' 34-8 win over the NRL World All Stars on Friday, includes playing a key role in an improved Newcastle Knights and culminates, he hopes, with a place in the Australian squad for the World Cup.
"The World Cup is at the of the year and I want to have a red hot crack at that," Gagai said.
James McManus to sue Newcastle Knights over concussions that brought an end to his career
FORMER NSW State of Origin winger James McManus is taking legal action against the Newcastle Knights over the NRL club’s handling of the concussions that led to his retirement.
Knights chairman Brian McGuigan said the club respected McManus’ right to sue, but would be defending its handling of his concussions.
Mitch Barnett re-signs with Newcastle Knights to end 2020
The Newcastle Knights are pleased to announce the re-signing of forward Mitch Barnett on a three-year contract. The new contract will secure Barnett at the club until at least the 2020 season.
"It’s a great opportunity for me to develop my game further and I’m very excited to be staying in Newcastle for another three years," Barnett said.
Hodgkinson had a moment there where he thought he was JT. I completely agree with the decision to sin bin him for dissent but it doesn't seem that different to telling a ref that their call was a **** joke. Hopefully this is a line in the sand moment where referees take control back.
They aren't exactly the same but neither has any place on a football field. Pretty easy to sin bin the captain of the team everyone expects to win the spoon! Will be interesting to see if they have the same cahoonas if it is Smith or JT.
As I said I think it was a great call and I hope they apply the standard consistently over the rest of the season.
The refs have to take back control of the game from the captains. It's got to the ridiculous stage. I liked how Tedesco got penalised simply for lip yesterday too.
Newcastle Knights player Jarrod Mullen given four-year ban for anabolic steroid use
The NRL said today that Newcastle Knights player Jarrod Mullen has been suspended for 4 years under the League's Anti-Doping Policy.
The Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by former High Court Judge, the Hon Ian Callinan AC QC, found that Mr Mullen had committed the following violations of the Anti-Doping Policy:
• Presence of the prohibited substance Drostanolone, an anabolic steroid and;
• Use of the prohibited substance Drostanolone
The Tribunal imposed a suspension of 4 years to run from the date of Mr Mullen's provisional suspension which began on 17 January, 2017.
His suspension will expire on 16 January, 2021.
Mr Mullen has 21 days to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Newcastle Knights put contract talks on hold with Shaun Kenny-Dowall
NEWCASTLE have reacted to allegations Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been caught in possession of cocaine at a Sydney nightclub by immediately placing all contract talks with the Roosters star on hold.
Kenny-Dowall is alleged to have been handed a field court attendance notice for possession of a prohibited drug.
Former Canberra Raiders winger Sandor Earl happy there's more support for Newcastle Knights Jarrod Mullen
Newcastle playmaker Jarrod Mullen might be doing it tough, but Sandor Earl believes there's been a change for the better with more support for athletes facing drug bans.
"It's really unfortunate. I don't know the reasons or the understanding as to why he [Mullen] went down that road, or what exactly happened," Earl said. "If I've learnt one thing you just can't take the first story that comes out as the factual evidence. You really never know.
-GD- wrote:Newcastle Knights put contract talks on hold with Shaun Kenny-Dowall
NEWCASTLE have reacted to allegations Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been caught in possession of cocaine at a Sydney nightclub by immediately placing all contract talks with the Roosters star on hold.
Kenny-Dowall is alleged to have been handed a field court attendance notice for possession of a prohibited drug.
This from a club with a history of drug related problems.
Wayne Richards, Robbie ODavis, Rodney Howe, Adam McDougall, Mitchell Sargeant, Danny Wicks and let's not forget the 8th immortal who used rec drugs for over 12yrs while his club turned a blind eye.
SKD would fit right in.
3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment..Old Faithful
#emptythetank
Smart move halting negotiations. Let the current situation run its course, then resume contract talks when his reputation is tarnished and lowers his value. Won't stop them signing him.
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