Knights 2021/22 Off-Season

[The Axe of Druss]

Pretty sure he said he's still going to do a regular column and a podcast so it's not all bad

 

[Knight Tales]

Well that's not the point you raised was it? In any case most of those guys played less than 20 games and didn't reach any great heights under Bellamy and they weren't expected to, they were signed as guys who would do a specific job. Not everyone player that goes to Melbourne turns into a superstar

Not arguing with you mate. Maybe our definition of peaked and ceilings differ. Fair enough.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Another pre season training camp cancelled due to Covid..

Newcastle Knights bracing for season of upheaval because of COVID

Knights CEO Phil Gardner has confirmed a "substantial" number of players have tested positive to the coronavirus and...

www.newcastleherald.com.au

 

[Yosh]

Another pre season training camp cancelled due to Covid..

Newcastle Knights bracing for season of upheaval because of COVID

Knights CEO Phil Gardner has confirmed a "substantial" number of players have tested positive to the coronavirus and...

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Surely it's not just us that's severely affected is it? Are other clubs facing similar issues?

 

[Jono078]

I'm sure everyone will have their own opinion on it, but remember when we gave them the rest of the year off and asked them to be responsible in trying to avoid COVID? Yeah didn't work so well..

I mean the way it's spreading it's hard to avoid but man you just get the feeling this is our season story already.. "Pre-season COVID interruptions ruins Knights season".

 

[slotmachine]

Better to get it out of the way now than losing half the squad in the early rounds.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Better to get it out of the way now than losing half the squad in the early rounds.

That can still happen as well

 

[Burwood]

Interesting that there’s no/very little news of the outbreak outside of the herald article. Nothing on club webpage or Twitter, and fox sports running an article on panthers outbreak and mention Brisbane as another club in same situation.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

 

[Woosh]

THE Newcastle Knights have resumed training for the 2022 NRL season, albeit with a host of familiar faces missing. The Knights held their first session since the Christmas-New Year break on Thursday morning, but a large number of high-profile players were conspicuous in their absence. The Newcastle Herald revealed on Monday that the club had been blindsided by an outbreak of COVID-19. Knights officials have declined to divulge how many players have contracted the coronavirus, but it is understood to be in double figures. The Herald observed Thursday's conditioning session and counted fewer than 20 players on the field. RELATED: A full NRL squad should comprise at least 36 players. A host of other NRL clubs are facing a similar dilemma. Players who have tested positive have been ordered to isolate at home for a mandatory period. Their teammates will be required to undergo rapid antigen testing before each training session, possibly for the entire season ahead. The Knights were forced to break for Christmas ahead of schedule, on December 16, after a young player and club employee tested positive. Given the extended lay-off, and limitations imposed on the players in isolation, Knights coach Adam O'Brien and new physical-performance manager Hayden Knowles face a logistical challenge to whip players into shape for the club's first pre-season trial, against Canterbury on February 21. Thursday's training resumption kicked off with a heavy conditioning session as O'Brien cast a close eye over his troops. Among those in attendance was star signing Dane Gagai, who has returned to Newcastle after four seasons with South Sydney

Depleted Knights return to the training track for first session of 2022

A large number of high-profile players were conspicuous in their absence.

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Gagai the only senior player to make it back to training.
Leading from the front

 

[Still Nutty]

Based on this photo, Clune looks almost as solid as Mann, which is a good thing...I thought he was much smaller based on the data I'd seen on his profile?

 

[Burwood]

Depleted Knights return to the training track for first session of 2022

A large number of high-profile players were conspicuous in their absence.

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Gagai the only senior player to make it back to training.
Leading from the front

Well I’d reckon he and Frizell are the only players over 30 in the squad, so I guess that does make him a senior.

 

[Silent Knight]

This image has caption time written all over it...

Adam: Ummmm Kurt you're the linkman now so after Jayden feeds you the ball you're supposed to get it out to Jake and Kalyn so they can do their thing.

Kurt: nah coach said I have free reign to do whatever I want so I'm going to throw the ball at the goalposts, hope it ricochets the right way and then I'll regather it in the confusion and score a try. It's a foolproof plan. And if that doesn't work I'll just run at the line because the opposition thinks I'm always going to pass and as you know I never surrender in a tackle. And if that doesn't work, I'll trip over my own feet and bring down some opposition players with me before passing off the ground to my nearest teammate to score.

Adam: remind me again why I joined this club.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Bradman’s thoughts on his inside service.

 

[Knight Tales]

View attachment 57085

Based on this photo, Clune looks almost as solid as Mann, which is a good thing...I thought he was much smaller based on the data I'd seen on his profile?

Now remember Kurt it’s pass sidewards, run forward.

 

[Silent Knight]

Kurt Mann lickety split now there’s a soc I’d take for a ride in the lolly jar. Bellamy is busy getting Josh King drenched in the shallow end before his inevitable run in with the rough crowd, but if he knew like me the difference between Grover from Sesame Street and a jar of pickled cucumbers he would have snapped up Kurt, turned him into a fullback and then Bellamy, Kurt and I would’ve gone pig hunting with only one sleeping bag to share, if you know what I valvoline.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Kurt Mann lickety split now there’s a soc I’d take for a ride in the lolly jar. Bellamy is busy getting Josh King drenched in the shallow end before his inevitable run in with the rough crowd, but if he knew like me the difference between Grover from Sesame Street and a jar of pickled cucumbers he would have snapped up Kurt, turned him into a fullback and then Bellamy, Kurt and I would’ve gone pig hunting with only one sleeping bag to share, if you know what I valvoline.

I love how you are less impressed with him than I am.

Didn’t think it was possible, and gives me something to aspire to.

Thank you, Good Sir.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Gee that sucks..

 

[Jono078]

Player swap for Luke Brooks? Sounds like something the Tigers would do.

Star is a good depth player and that it. But now if Lee is unable to return our Winger stocks are terrible.

 

[Johns Magic]

Player swap for Luke Brooks? Sounds like something the Tigers would do.

You’d hope so.

The other one I’m wondering is if the Tigers will release Luciano Leilua to the Cowboys immediately if they can get Toa. And the Cowboys will then release Luki to us.

Pure speculation.