NRL - New castle Knights Season Review

Newcastle Knights Season Review
 
Season Finish - 16th (5 Wins, 19 Losses, 428 Points Scored, 648 Points Against) 
 
Season Rating 7/10 - Despite finishing with the Wooden Spoon for a 3rd straight season, the Knights made significant steps forward in 2017. They lost 11 games by 12 points or less which showed a huge improvement in competitiveness and resilience, across the 80 minutes, from a young side. The Knights improved their overall differential by 275 points in 2017 and they finally appear ready to make a leap forward in 2018. 
 
Coach Rating 7/10 (Nathan Brown)- I applaud Nathan Brown for the long road approach he has taken to rebuilding this Club. It would have been easier for him to achieve results in his first two seasons by signing some veterans and plugging some holes. However, he made the tough calls and cleaned out the place. This resulted in some heavy beatings early, however they exposed a number of promising young players to the NRL and, by getting rid of some older players, have fixed their Salary Cap to an extent where they are finally able to secure some quality players from other Clubs. 
 
Best Win (Round 24 -Parramatta Eels 10 Newcastle Knights 29) - I think this was the Knights’ best win of the season because it came on the road, against an opponent that was on a roll in contention for the Top 4. Not only was it the Knights’ best defensive display of the year, but they scored some silky tries and ran away with the game in the end. 
 
Worst Loss (Round 17 Newcastle Knights 12 Wests Tigers 33 @ McDonald Jones Stadium) - Without doubt, this was the Knights’ worst loss of the season, at home, against the Tigers who were 15th at the time. It was the first time the Knights had been favourites under Nathan Brown, and represented their best chance to get off the bottom of the table. However, they came out flat as pancakes, and their edge defence was non-existent, as the Tigers rushed to a 20-0 lead at halftime. 
 
Best Player - Mitch Barnett - It's not easy for any young players coming into the forwards in the NRL, let alone a player competing in a beaten pack most weeks. Barnett plays really tough on the edges, and also has some skill, and with Aidan Guerra joining next year he will have a bit more help. 
 
Most Disappointing Player - Trent Hodgkinson - I'm not really sure where Hodgkinson goes from here, with Connor Watson jumping on board and Brock Lamb impressing in the halves this year. Injuries look to have caught up to him, to my eye, and his knees just seem to be failing him. He looked slow and pedestrian for most of the season and provided no running threat. 
 
2018 Prospects - (Strong) I can't see the Knights claiming a 4th straight wooden spoon. The signings of Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson, Tatua Moga, Herman Ese'Ese and Aidan Guerra make them far more potent, experienced and talented. I would go as far as saying I think they can challenge for a Top 8 spot with that roster and finally bring some joy back to a community that has stuck by them the past few years with some big crowds despite a terrible period for the Club.