I thought it'd be interesting to compare where we are at in relation to the previous team to finish with 3 straight wooden spoons, Newcastle 2015-2017.
In 2017, the last of the Knights 3 spoons they won 5 games (only 16 teams), the Tigers 2024 had 6 wins.
The Knights in 2018 were able to bring Mitchell Pearce over from the Roosters, his contract approx $900,000 or the equivalent of $1.2 million under the 2025 Cap (it's increased by 20% since 2018). The Tigers in 2025 brought Jarome Luai to the club for $1.2 million. The Knights also picked up 3 or 4 good, solid first graders to build their squad, Guerra, Ese'ese, Heighington, Lilyman, Meaney and Watson to increase the experience of what was a pretty young squad. They also paid about $600,000 (about $750,000 today) for teenager Kalyn Ponga to join them. The Tigers brought in May, Bird, Turuva, Hunt and Skelton and have Bula at fullback. The Knights had won 5 games after 11 rounds, The Tigers 6. The Knights finished 11th with 9 wins that year although Pearce missed 10 of those games. The Knights used 29 players that year, 14 were 22 years old or younger. The Tigers have used 9 players 22 years or younger so far this year. The Knights used 4 players 30 years or older. The Tigers have used 2 so far.
The following year the Knights won 10 games including a run of 6 straight. They finished 11th. In 2020 the Knights won 11 games and played finals.
Some similarities there although the Tigers have been unsuccessful for a much longer period overall going back to 2000.
The Knights biggest losses in their opening 11 games in 2018 came away at the Roosters losing by 30 & away at the Storm losing by 26. Otherwise very competitive in the 9 other games. The Knights won their first game by 1 point. The Tigers lost their’s by 2 points. The biggest winning margin for the Knights in their 5 wins the first 11 rounds was 6 points. The Tigers was 26 points. The Tigers scored 226 & conceded 280. The Knights scored 220 and conceded 294.
Let’s get this current situation sorted, add in some variation at half, a backrower or two, and clear out more deadwood and we’ll be on our way.
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@russtutty63 I know this thtead is supposed to give some sort of encouragement by pointing out we are not the only ones to travel this road to recovery from 3 spoons but all I can see is that in a short period of time we will be back to where we started from based on Newcastles current position.
Am I missing something here? 😕
It’s true the Knights are looking at a rebuild again but the Knights have played finals 4 times in the last 6 years. Ask yourself if you would take 4 finals appearances in the next 6 years, I would. Would I like us to do better than that? Of course. And I don’t want be in the Knight’s current position either but the comparison shows to get to the finals after 3 spoons takes time, not one year, probably not 2 but obviously it’s possible. We are a scarred fanbase and we want results quickly but that’s not going to happen. We’re going as well as expected right now. Unfortunately for us one player has probably destabled the team just enough to cause us to faulted and that’s all it takes. Throw in a few injuries and we are where we are.@russtutty63 I know this thtead is supposed to give some sort of encouragement by pointing out we are not the only ones to travel this road to recovery from 3 spoons but all I can see is that in a short period of time we will be back to where we started from based on Newcastles current position.
Am I missing something here? 😕
Agree and it takes more than one year to get all that right.Let’s get this current situation sorted, add in some variation at half, a backrower or two, and clear out more deadwood and we’ll be on our way.
@russtutty63 I get that. Yes 4 finals appearances at current rate would take more like 60 years so yes, 4 in the next 6 years would be great! Thanks for all the indepth contributions you bring to this forum. I enjoy your insights.
