Newcastle Knights 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>With another disappointing season in the rearview mirror, the Newcastle Knights have undergone one of the most extensive squad overhauls in the competition to try and right the ship.</p> <p>As a result the Newcastle Knights predicted team for round 1 will look a lot different to the one that lost 38-16 to the Cronulla Sharks in the final round of last season.</p> <p>It’s not just the new faces who will find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings, with an established Newcastle superstar set to change positions.</p> <p>Head coach Adam O’Brien has confirmed fullback Kalyn Ponga is set to start the season at five eighth in a spine shakeup for the Novocastrians.</p> <p>Will this experience yield huge dividends for the Knights? Or does more disappointment await? Read our Newcastle Knights season preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Adam Elliott (Canberra Raiders)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Tyson Gamble (Brisbane Broncos)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jackson Hastings (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jack Hetherington (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) </em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Greg Marzhew (Gold Coast Titans)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Lachlan Miller (Cronulla Sharks)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Halfback Jackson Hastings has been signed to partner Kalyn Ponga at the base of the scrum, arriving as part of a swap deal which saw enforcer David Klemmer go the other way.</p> <p>Adam Elliot has joined from the Canberra Raiders and is expected to line up at lock after an impressive season for the Green Machine, while firebrands Jack Hetherington and Tyson Gamble will do their best to replace the mongrel that went out the door with Klemmer.</p> <p>Finally, it has finally been officially confirmed that Lachlan Miller will make the move from Cronulla to take up Ponga’s vacated fullback spot.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Mitch Barnett (New Zealand Warriors)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>David Klemmer (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Edrick Lee (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Anthony Milford (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jake Clifford (Hull FC)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Tex Hoy (Hull FC)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Chris Randall (Gold Coast Titans)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Pasami Saulo (Canberra Raiders)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Sauaso Sue (Hull Kingston Rovers)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Anthony Milford and Edrick Lee have left to join the NRL’s newest franchise, while Jake Clifford and Tex Hoy will make the move to Hull FC in the English Super League together after failing to impress Adam O’Brien.</p> <p>It’s not just the outside backs that are moving on, a large contingent of seasoned NRL forwards are departing the Hunter Valley with Mitch Barnett, Sauaso Sue and former Origin prop David Klemmer among them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kalyn Ponga</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Unless he was wearing a Maroons jersey it’s been safe to say over the last few seasons Kalyn Ponga has been somewhat underwhelming.</p> <p>Hampered by injuries, uncertainty over his future and a lack of any real quality around him, 2023 presents a clean slate for both Ponga and the Knights.</p> <p>He has put to rest any rumours of him leaving the Hunter Valley by signing a whopping 5-year contract extension and looks to be at full fitness ahead of the new season.</p> <p>A noted ball player, Ponga has been training at five eighth ahead of the new season and is set to start there in round 1.</p> <p>He isn’t the first fullback to make this move, with a certain Darren Lockyer (ever heard of him) being the most famous example.</p> <p>The Ponga to No.6 experiment will be one to keep an eye on this season, with a lot riding on its success for the Newcastle faithful.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Newcastle Knights’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>14th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Knights finished last season in 14th position and to be honest it’s hard to see them improving.</p> <p>The good news is 14th is the new 13th with the addition of the Dolphins to the competition.</p> <p>Yes, there has been extensive recruitment, but there has also been a mass exodus with a lot of experience walking out the door.</p> <p>A great deal hinges on the success of the Kalyn Ponga experiment. If his switch to the halves fails, it could be a very long season for the Knights.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Newcastle Knights’ Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Dane Gagai</li> <li>Dom Young</li> <li>Krystian Mapapalangi</li> <li>Bradman Best</li> <li>Greg Marzhew</li> <li>Kalyn Ponga</li> <li>Jackson Hastings</li> <li>Jacob Saifiti</li> <li>Jayden Brailey</li> <li>Daniel Saifiti</li> <li>Tyson Frizell</li> <li>Lachlan Fitzgibbon</li> <li>Adam Elliott</li> <li>Kurt Mann</li> <li>Jack Hetherington</li> <li>Leo Thompson</li> <li>Brodie Jones</li> </ol> <p>&nbsp;</p>