The 2012 Newcastle Knights season was the 25th in the club's history. Coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Kurt Gidley, they competed in the NRL's 2012 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season 12th (out of 16).
Milestones Round 1: Darius Boyd made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Round 1: Adam Cuthbertson made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Round 1: Alex McKinnon made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Round 3: Matt Hilder kicked his 1st goal for the club. Round 4: Alex McKinnon scored his 1st try for the club. Round 4: Timana Tahu played his 100th game for the club. Round 6: Tyrone Roberts kicked his 1st career goal. Round 8: Kurt Gidley scored his 1000th point for the club, which was also his 1000th career point. Round 8: Willie Mason made his debut for the club, after previously playing for RC Toulonnais. Round 10: Chris Adams made his NRL debut for the club. Round 10: James McManus played his 100th game for the club, which was also his 100th career game. Round 12: Tyrone Roberts scored his 1st career try. Round 13: Chris Houston played his 100th career game. Round 14: Dane Gagai made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Brisbane Broncos and scored his 1st try for the club. Round 14: Willie Mason scored his 1st try for the club. Round 17: Kevin Naiqama scored his 1st career try. Round 18: Kyle O'Donnell made his NRL debut for the club. Round 19: Robbie Rochow made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Melbourne Storm. Round 19: Zeb Taia played his 100th career game. Round 21: Darius Boyd scored his 1st try for the club. Round 21: Robbie Rochow scored his 1st career try. Round 25: Timana Tahu scored his 88th try for the club, breaking Adam MacDougall's record of 87 tries as the highest ever try-scorer for the Knights. Round 25: Zeb Taia played his 100th game for the club. Round 26: Neville Costigan played his 150th career game.
Squad
Transfers and Re-signings
Gains Player/Coach Previous club LengthWayne Bennett (head coach)St. George Illawarra Dragons2015Darius BoydSt. George Illawarra Dragons2015Danny BuderusLeeds Rhinos2012Mick Crawley (assistant coach & NYC coach)North Queensland Cowboys2014Adam CuthbertsonSt. George Illawarra Dragons2014Dane GagaiBrisbane Broncos2014Albert KellyCronulla-Sutherland Sharks2012Daine LaurieMacquarie Scorpions2012Lorenzo Ma'afuIpswich JetsTrain and trialWillie MasonRC Toulonnais2012Alex McKinnonSt. George Illawarra Dragons2014Robbie RochowMelbourne Storm2012Simione SaweneFiji under-20s Rugby Union team2012Kade SnowdenCronulla-Sutherland Sharks2015Timana TahuPenrith Panthers2013Watisoni VotuVuda BluesTrain and trialMark WadeMerewether Carlton Rugby Club2012
Losses Player/Coach ClubJosh AilaomaiSydney RoostersGarth Brennan (NYC coach)Penrith PanthersCameron CiraldoPenrith PanthersIsaac De GoisCronulla-Sutherland SharksAndrew Dunemann (assistant coach)Canberra RaidersBeau HenryGold Coast TitansMarvin KarawanaHawke's Bay Rugby UnionAntonio KaufusiLondon BroncosKeith LuliaBradford BullsAdam MacDougallRetirementShannon McDonnellHull Kingston RoversConstantine MikaHull Kingston RoversCory PatersonNorth Queensland CowboysBen RogersRetirementCraig Sandercock (assistant coach)Hull Kingston RoversSteve SouthernWakefield Trinity WildcatsMark TaufuaCronulla-Sutherland SharksDaniel TolarRetirementMitch WilliamsReleasedSimon WilliamsWestern Suburbs Rosellas
Promoted juniors Player Junior sideSam AndersonKnights National Youth CompetitionAdrian DavisKnights New South Wales CupRodney MasonKnights National Youth CompetitionChanel Mata'utiaKnights National Youth CompetitionMaipele MorseauKnights National Youth CompetitionTyler RandellKnights National Youth CompetitionWarren SchillingsCentral Coast CenturionsKorbin SimsKnights National Youth CompetitionWill SmithKnights National Youth Competition
Change of role Player/Coach New roleApi PewhairangiKnights second-tier squadRick Stone (head coach)Knights assistant coach
Re-signings Player/Coach Re-signed toChris Adams2013Danny Buderus2013Adrian Davis2013Marvin Filipo2013Chris Houston2014Siuatonga Likiliki2013Rodney Mason2013Willie Mason2014Chanel Mata'utia2013Kevin Naiqama2013Tyler Randell2015Chad Redman2013Tyrone Roberts2014Robbie Rochow2014Korbin Sims2013Will Smith2013
Player contract situations 2012 (left)201320142015Sam AndersonChris AdamsAdam CuthbertsonDarius BoydEthan CookDanny BuderusDane GagaiKurt GidleyJoel EdwardsNeville CostiganChris HoustonTyler Randellhttp://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news-display/Knights-resign-exciting-young-trio/54520.html Richard Fa'aosoAdrian DavisWillie MasonKade Snowdenhttp://www.newcastleknights.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=36576&kade-snowden-returns-home Albert KellyMarvin FilipoAlex McKinnonDaine LaurieMatt HilderJarrod MullenLorenzo Ma'afuSiuatonga LikilikiTyrone RobertsMaipele MorseauRodney MasonRobbie RochowWes NaiqamaChanel Mata'utiaKyle O'DonnellPeter Mata'utiaJunior Sa'uJames McManusSimione SaweneKevin NaiqamaWarren SchillingsChad RedmanZeb TaiaKorbin SimsEvarn TuimavaveWill SmithWatisoni VotuRyan StigMark WadeTimana TahuZane TetevanoAkuila Uate
Ladder
Jerseys and sponsors In 2012, the Knights' jerseys were made by ISC and their major sponsor was Hunter Ports.
2012 Home Jersey2012 Away Jersey2012 Heritage Jersey
Fixtures
Pre-season trials Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 11 FebruaryTrial 1 Penrith PanthersRegional Sports Centre, Port Macquarie18 – 18J.McManus, K.Naiqama, M.HilderK.Gidley (2/2), T.Roberts (1/1)6,383Saturday, 18 FebruaryTrial 2 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksOlympic Park, Muswellbrook 22 – 18A.Uate, J.McManus, K.Snowden, T.TahuK.Gidley (3/4) Legend:
Regular season 2012 Regular season fixtures
Statistics NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPointsCaptainAge30000026223001202522200817342320080272200000271900000248200802820000025125002002151140325301001020302440016227171004032100000222420080201910004002624800320258700280236190220301000002218340092021810040228200802519000002622700280322310040281300000223000002822180072025 Totals 24 80 64 0 448 - Average: 26
29 players used.
Source:
Representative honours
The following players appeared in a representative match in 2012.
Australia Darius Boyd Akuila Uate
Junior Kangaroos Alex McKinnon (captain) Korbin Sims
Junior Kiwis Api Pewhairangi
New South Wales Akuila Uate
New South Wales Country James McManus Jarrod Mullen
New South Wales Residents Marvin Filipo Kyle O'Donnell
New South Wales under-16s Travis Edwards Sione Mata'utia Tevita Pangai Junior
New South Wales under-20s Chanel Mata'utia Alex McKinnon
NRL All Stars Wayne Bennett (coach) Kade Snowden
Prime Minister's XIII Darius Boyd Akuila Uate
Queensland Darius Boyd
Queensland under-20s Kurt Mann
Individual honours
Teams and squads National Youth Competition (NYC) Team of the Year Korbin Sims
New South Wales Cup Team of the Year Marvin Filipo Siuatonga Likiliki Josh Mantellato Rip Taylor (coach)
Dally M awards Dally M Winger of the Year Akuila Uate
Newcastle Knights awards
Player of the Year National Rugby League (NRL) Player of the Year: Chris Houston National Youth Competition (NYC) Player of the Year: Adam Clydsdale
Players' Player National Rugby League (NRL) Players' Player: Danny Buderus National Youth Competition (NYC) Players' Player: Adam Clydsdale
References