The 2011 Newcastle Knights season was the 24th in the club's history. Coached by Rick Stone and captained by Kurt Gidley, they competed in the NRL's 2011 Telstra Premiership. The Knights finished the regular season in 8th place (out of 16), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the Melbourne Storm in week 1.
Milestones Round 1: Neville Costigan made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Round 1: Beau Henry made his NRL debut for the club and scored his 1st career try. Round 6: Tyrone Roberts made his NRL debut for the club. Round 6: Steve Southern made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the North Queensland Cowboys. Round 10: Marvin Filipo made his NRL debut for the club. Round 11: Peter Mata'utia made his NRL debut for the club and scored his 1st career try. Round 13: Neville Costigan scored his 1st try for the club. Round 13: Antonio Kaufusi scored his 1st try for the club. Round 15: Ryan Stig made his NRL debut for the club. Round 16: Wes Naiqama captained his 1st game for the club. Round 17: Ryan Stig scored his 1st career try. Round 19: Ryan Stig kicked his 1st career goal. Round 20: Zane Tetevano made his NRL debut for the club. Round 25: Siuatonga Likiliki made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the New Zealand Warriors. Round 25: Zane Tetevano scored his 1st career try. Round 26: Adam MacDougall kicked his 1st career goal. Round 26: Akuila Uate scored 4 tries, equalling Darren Albert, Adam MacDougall, Andrew Johns and Cooper Vuna's record of most tries scored in a match by 1 player for the Knights.
Squad
Transfers and Re-signings Gains Player/Coach Previous club LengthChris AdamsCessnock Goannas2011Neville CostiganSt. George Illawarra Dragons2013Beau HenrySt. George Illawarra Dragons2013Chris HoustonFree agent2012Siuatonga LikilikiNew Zealand Warriors2012Kyle O'DonnellCronulla-Sutherland Sharks2012Steve SouthernNorth Queensland Cowboys2011Ryan StigNorthern Pride RLFC2011
Losses Player/Coach ClubDaniel AbrahamKurri Kurri BulldogsBen CrossLeeds RhinosScott DureauCatalans DragonsJimmy FawcettUmina BunniesByron FrueanSydney RoostersGeorge NdairaWests TigersSteve SimpsonRetirementSione TovoWests TigersCooper VunaMelbourne Rebels
Promoted juniors Player Junior sideEthan CookKnights National Youth CompetitionApi PewhairangiKnights National Youth CompetitionChad RedmanKnights National Youth CompetitionMitch WilliamsKnights National Youth Competition
Re-signings Player/Coach Re-signed toChris Adams2012Ethan Cook2012Marvin Filipo2012Kurt Gidley2015Matt Hilder2013Peter Mata'utia2013Kevin Naiqama2012Wes Naiqama2014Api Pewhairangi2012Chad Redman2012Tyrone Roberts2012Junior Sa'u2013Ryan Stig2013Zane Tetevano2013Evarn Tuimavave2012
Player contract situations 2011 (left)2012201320142015Josh AilaomaiChris AdamsNeville CostiganJarrod MullenKurt GidleyCameron CiraldoEthan CookMatt HilderWes NaiqamaIsaac De GoisJoel EdwardsPeter Mata'utiaBeau HenryRichard Fa'aosoJames McManusMarvin KarawanaMarvin FilipoJunior Sa'uAntonio KaufusiChris HoustonRyan StigKeith LuliaSiuatonga LikilikiZane TetevanoAdam MacDougallKevin NaiqamaAkuila UateShannon McDonnellKyle O'DonnellConstantine MikaApi PewhairangiCory PatersonChad RedmanBen RogersTyrone RobertsSteve SouthernZeb TaiaMark TaufuaEvarn TuimavaveDaniel TolarMitch WilliamsSimon Williams
Ladder
Jerseys and sponsors In 2011, the Knights' jerseys were made by XBlades and their major sponsor was Coal & Allied.
2011 Home Jersey2011 Away Jersey2011 Close the Gap Jersey2011 Heritage Jersey
Fixtures Pre-season trials Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 5 FebruaryTrial 1 New Zealand WarriorsWingham Park22 – 22J.Edwards, C.Houston, C.Adams, S.WilliamsP.Mata'utia (3/4)Sunday, 13 FebruaryTrial 2 Fiji BatiEnergyAustralia Stadium72 – 0P.Mata'utia (2), J.Ailaomai (2), K.Lulia, B.Henry, E.Cook, Z.Tetevano, S.Williams, C.Adams, K.Naiqama, W.Naiqama, S.Likiliki, A.PewhairangiW.Naiqama (3), P.Mata'utia (3), B.Henry (2)2000Saturday, 19 FebruaryTrial 3 Penrith PanthersRegional Stadium, Port Macquarie22 – 28M.Karawana, E.Tuimavave, I.De Gois, M.TaufuaW.Naiqama (2), C.Paterson (1)Saturday, 26 FebruaryTrial 4 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksOlympic Park, Muswellbrook32 – 10J.Sa'u (2), I.De Gois (2), A.Uate, S.McDonnellK.Gidley (3), W.Naiqama (1) Legend:
Regular season 2011 Regular season fixtures
Statistics NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPointsCaptainAge141004027153001202617100402722000002322200802720000024185550130182962008021214001602925300120266000002524200802720000021132008024941018036520080217400160242310004002520000022212008524174210582297300120247000002020000026214001602470000029131208022520080271000000305100402114000002920000002723200080024 Totals 25 82 79 0 486 - Average: 25
33 players used.
Source:
Representative honours
The following players appeared in a representative match in 2011.
Australia Akuila Uate
Cook Islands Keith Lulia Zeb Taia Zane Tetevano
Indigenous All Stars Cory Paterson
Italy Cameron Ciraldo
Junior Kangaroos Tyrone Roberts (18th man)
New South Wales Kurt Gidley (captain) Akuila Uate
New South Wales Country Chris Houston Jarrod Mullen Akuila Uate
New South Wales Residents Constantine Mika Rip Taylor (assistant coach)
New South Wales under-18s Pat Mata'utia Ben Roose Tom Rouse Michael Steele
NRL All Stars Kurt Gidley Akuila Uate
Queensland under-18s Kurt Mann
Tonga Richard Fa'aoso
Individual honours Dally M awards Dally M Winger of the Year Akuila Uate
Newcastle Knights awards Player of the Year National Youth Competition (NYC) Player of the Year: Sam Anderson
Players' Player National Youth Competition (NYC) Players' Player: Sam Anderson
References