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
2020 recordWins: 6; Draws: 1; Losses: 5
Team information
CEOPhil Gardner
CoachAdam O'Brien
Captain
StadiumMcDonald Jones Stadium
Avg. Attend.5,795
High. Attend.10,239
Top scorers
TriesBradman Best (7)
GoalsKalyn Ponga (31)
PointsKalyn Ponga (78)
< 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: 4 August 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
Blake GreenNew Zealand Warriors2020
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
Christian Ma'anaima2023
Jirah Momoisea2022
Kalyn Ponga2024
Chris Randall2020
Daniel Saifiti2022
Jacob 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]
Andrew McCullough[14]Matt Cooper[5]Tim Glasby[15]Jirah Momoisea[16]
Mat Croker[17]Tex Hoy[18]Daniel Saifiti[19]
Herman Ese'ese[20]Hymel Hunt[21]Jacob Saifiti[22]
Blake Green[23]Edrick Lee[24]Pasami Saulo[25]
Aidan Guerra[26]Kurt Mann[27]Gehamat Shibasaki[28]
Zac Hosking[29]Sione Mata'utia[30]
Luke Huth[17]Mitchell Pearce[31]
Brodie Jones[32]Starford To'a[33]
Josh King[34]Enari Tuala[35]
Mason Lino[36]
Dylan Lucas[5]
Toby Marks[10]
Tautau Moga[37]
Chris Randall[38]
Tyronne Roberts-Davis[39]
Brandon Russell[10]
Simi Sasagi[40]
Bayden Searle[29]
Matt Soper-Lawler[41]
Connor Watson[42]

Ladder
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Penrith Panthers 1412110350194+15625
2 Melbourne Storm 1412020374168+20624
3 Parramatta Eels 1411030298176+12222
4 Sydney Roosters 149050354198+15618
5 Canberra Raiders 149050268213+5518
6 Newcastle Knights 148150305232+7317
7 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 148060362306+5616
8 South Sydney Rabbitohs 148060309256+5316
9 Wests Tigers 146080314301+1312
10 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 146080237287−5012
11 St. George Illawarra Dragons 145090262290−2810
12 New Zealand Warriors 145090201338−13710
13 Gold Coast Titans 1440100202367−1658
14 North Queensland Cowboys 1430110269374−1056
15 Brisbane Broncos 1430110186437−2516
16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1420120188342−1544

Milestones

Jerseys and sponsors

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

2020 Home Jersey2020 Away Jersey2020 Indigenous Jersey2020 NSW Mining 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 [43]
  • * Match relocated to Canberra due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) situation [44]
  • ** Season suspended from Round 3 until further notice due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) situation [45]


Updated Regular Season - 21 May 2020

[46]

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 Stadium32-20T.Hoy, H.Hunt, K.Mann, G.ShibasakiK.Ponga (2/4)1,853 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 5 JulyRound 8 Manly Sea EaglesCentral Coast Stadium Lottoland14-12A.McCullough, K.MannK.Ponga (3/3)2,271 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 12 JulyRound 9 Parramatta EelsCentral Coast Stadium Mcdonald Jones Stadium10-4A.McCulloughK.Ponga (0/1)6,980 *Restricted Capacity
Saturday 18 JulyRound 10 South Sydney RabbitohsBankwest Stadium20-18E.Tuala, K.Mann, K.Ponga, B.BestK.Ponga (2/5)4,249 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 26 JulyRound 11 Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsMcdonald Jones Stadium12-18H.Hunt, S.Mata'utiaK.Ponga (2/2)3,521 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 2 AugustRound 12 Melbourne StormSuncorp Stadium Sunshine Coast Stadium16-26B.Best, A.Guerra, E.TualaK.Ponga (2/3)5,437 *Restricted Capacity
Saturday 8 AugustRound 13 Wests TigersMcdonald Jones Stadium44-4K.Ponga (2), H.Hunt, S.To'a, J.Saifiti, H.Ese'ese, G.Shibasaki, P.CrosslandK.Ponga (6/9)2,952* Restricted Capacity
Sunday 16 AugustRound 14 Manly Sea EaglesMcdonald Jones Stadium26-24S.To'a, K.Mann, E.Tuala (2), H.HuntK.Ponga (3/5)* Restricted Capacity
Sunday 23 AugustRound 15 North Queensland CowboysMcdonald Jones Stadium
Saturday 29 AugustRound 16 New Zealand WarriorsScully Park
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 Barnett61004026
Bradman Best970028019
Jayden Brailey20000024
Phoenix Crossland21004020
Herman Ese'ese131004026
Lachlan Fitzgibbon100000026
Tim Glasby70000031
Blake Green10000034
Aidan Guerra131004032
Tex Hoy71208021
Hymel Hunt1340016027
Brodie Jones50000022
Josh King20000025
David Klemmer130000027
Edrick Lee850020028
Kurt Mann1350020027
Sione Mata'utia81004024
Andrew McCullough82008030
Tautau Moga40000027
Mitchell Pearce1320191331
Kalyn Ponga12637098022
Chris Randall20000025
Daniel Saifiti92008024
Jacob Saifiti132008024
Pasami Saulo50000022
Gehamat Shibasaki52008022
Starford To'a11004020
Enari Tuala1250020022
Connor Watson51004024
Totals1350391279-Average: 25

29 players used.

Source:[47]

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

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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. "Kalyn Ponga secures Knights NRL future". Newcastle Knights. June 16, 2020.
  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. https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/08/04/blake-green-joins-knights-effective-immediately/
  15. "Tim Glasby signs with Knights - Zero Tackle". 16 May 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  16. "Promising youngster Momoisea extends NRL deal". Newcastle Knights. January 28, 2020.
  17. "Young Knights building pathways". 23 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  18. "Tex Hoy promoted to Knights Top 30 NRL squad". Newcastle Knights. February 29, 2020.
  19. "NSW Origin prop Daniel Saifiti inks new deal". Newcastle Knights. November 11, 2019.
  20. "Knights sign Herman Ese'ese - Zero Tackle". 27 July 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  21. "Hymel Hunt inks new Knights deal". Newcastle Knights. November 4, 2019.
  22. "Jacob Saifiti re-signs with Knights". Newcastle Knights. July 21, 2020.
  23. https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/08/04/blake-green-joins-knights-effective-immediately/
  24. "Knights add Lee - Zero Tackle". 25 June 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  25. "Forward Saulo extends NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. January 29, 2020.
  26. "Newcastle Knights sign Aidan Guerra - Zero Tackle". 15 June 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  27. Moorhead, Joseph (9 December 2018). "Knights slay the Dragons in Kurt Mann poaching". Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  28. "Gehamat Shibasaki signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. December 5, 2019.
  29. "NRL Newcastle Knights 2020 pre-season train and trial and extended squad". Newcastle Knights. November 12, 2019.
  30. "Knights re-sign Sione Mata'utia - Zero Tackle". 28 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  31. "Newcastle Knights sign Mitchell Pearce - Zero Tackle". 30 November 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  32. "Knights re-sign promising backrower Jones". Newcastle Knights. November 5, 2019.
  33. "Exciting back Starford To'a awarded new deal". Newcastle Knights. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  34. "King secures contract extension". 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  35. "Enari Tuala re-signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. March 2, 2020.
  36. "Lino becomes a Knight - Zero Tackle". 25 September 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  37. "Newcastle sign Tautau Moga - Zero Tackle". 18 July 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  38. "Randall rewarded with Development Deal". Newcastle Knights. March 3, 2020.
  39. "Tyronne Roberts-Davis secures NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. February 28, 2020.
  40. "Exciting teen prospect Sasagi extends contract". Newcastle Knights. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  41. TOOHEY, BARRY (October 23, 2019). "Prolific try-scorer chasing a second coming at the Knights". Newcastle Herald.
  42. "Connor Watson to join Knights - Zero Tackle". 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  43. "NRL measures for 2020 season". National Rugby League. March 13, 2020.
  44. "Wagga Wagga match moved back to Canberra". Canberra Raiders. March 17, 2020.
  45. "NRL suspends competition due to coronavirus pandemic". National Rugby League. March 23, 2020.
  46. "NRL Telstra Premiership draw". National Rugby League. May 21, 2020.
  47. "NRL 2020 - Newcastle Knights - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
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