The 2021 Newcastle Knights season was the 34th in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and co-captained by Jayden Brailey, Kalyn Ponga and Daniel Saifiti, they competed in the NRL's 2021 Telstra Premiership. In July, the NRL relocated the competition to Queensland to avoid an outbreak of the Deltra variant COVID-19 virus in New South Wales. The Knights finished the regular season in 7th place (out of 16), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the Parramatta Eels in week 1.
Squad
Transfers and Re-signings Gains Player/Coach Previous club Length SourceMcKenzie BakerSydney Roosters2021Zane CamrouxWests Tigers2021Tyler CoburnIpswich JetsPre-seasonJake CliffordNorth Queensland Cowboys2023Tyson FrizellSt. George Illawarra Dragons2023Bailey HodgsonCastleford Tigers2023Jack JohnsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs2021Jacob KirazNorth Queensland Cowboys2021Blake LenehanIpswich JetsPre-seasonBrayden MusgroveCessnock Goannas2022Andrew Ryan (NSW Cup coach)South Newcastle Lions2021Garrett SmithNorth Queensland Cowboys2021Sauaso SueCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2022Dom YoungHuddersfield Giants2023
Losses Player/Coach Club SourceJack CameronSouth Sydney RabbitohsMatt CooperLakes UnitedHerman Ese'eseGold Coast TitansBeau FermorGold Coast TitansDavid Furner (assistant coach)Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsTim GlasbyRetirementTony Gleeson (NSW Cup coach)ReleasedAidan GuerraRetirementDanny LeviManly Warringah Sea EaglesMason LinoWakefield TrinityToby MarksCanberra RaidersSione Mata'utiaSt Helens R.F.C.Andrew McCulloughBrisbane BroncosTautau MogaSouth Sydney RabbitohsTyronne Roberts-DavisWests TigersBrandon RussellTweed Heads SeagullsBayden SearleMacquarie Scorpions
Promoted juniors Player Junior side SourceHarry CrokerKnights Jersey Flegg CupCooper JenkinsKnights Jersey Flegg CupChristian Ma'anaimaKnights Jersey Flegg CupJaron PurcellKnights Jersey Flegg CupDaniel TicehurstKnights Jersey Flegg CupChris Vea'ilaKnights S. G. Ball Cup
Change of role Player/Coach New role SourceAdam Bettridge (Jersey Flegg Cup coach)Knights S. G. Ball Cup assistant coachLuke HuthKnights NSW CupRory Kostjasyn (Knights development coach)Knights NRL assistant coachEric Smith (Knights development coach)Knights NRL assistant coach
Re-signings Player/Coach Re-signed to SourceBradman Best2024Jayden Brailey2025Lachlan Fitzgibbon2023Hymel Hunt2023Brodie Jones2023Kurt Mann2023Adam O'Brien (head coach)2024Mitchell Pearce2022Daniel Saifiti2026Jacob Saifiti2024Starford To'a2023
Player contract situations 2021 (left)20222023202420252026Tyler CoburnMcKenzie BakerMitchell BarnettBradman BestJayden BraileyDaniel SaifitiBlake GreenMitch BlackJake CliffordJacob SaifitiZac HoskingZane CamrouxLachlan FitzgibbonKalyn PongaJosh KingHarry CrokerTyson FrizellJacob KirazMat CrokerBailey HodgsonBlake LenehanPhoenix CrosslandHymel HuntChristian Ma'anaimaTex HoyJack JohnsMitchell PearceCooper JenkinsBrodie JonesGehamat ShibasakiEdrick LeeDavid KlemmerGarrett SmithDylan LucasKurt MannMatt Soper-LawlerJirah MomoiseaChris RandallStarford To'aBrayden MusgroveEnari TualaConnor WatsonJaron PurcellChris Vea'ilaSimi SasagiDom YoungPasami SauloSauaso SueDaniel Ticehurst
Ladder
Milestones Round 1: Jayden Brailey captained his 1st game for the club. Round 1: Tyson Frizell made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Round 1: Daniel Saifiti played his 100th career game and captained his 1st game for the club. Round 1: Sauaso Sue made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Round 2: Jayden Brailey scored his 1st try for the club. Round 3: Tyson Frizell scored his 1st try for the club. Round 3: Mitchell Pearce played his 300th career game. Round 3: Dom Young made his NRL debut for the club, after previously playing for the Huddersfield Giants. Round 4: Kurt Mann kicked his 1st career field goal. Round 5: Chris Randall scored his 1st career try. Round 6: Hymel Hunt played his 50th game for the club. Round 6: Brodie Jones scored his 1st career try. Round 6: Brayden Musgrove made his NRL debut for the club. Round 8: David Klemmer played his 50th game for the club. Round 8: Brayden Musgrove scored his 1st career try. Round 8: Sauaso Sue played his 150th career game. Round 9: Connor Watson played his 50th game for the club. Round 10: Mitchell Barnett played his 100th career game. Round 11: Phoenix Crossland kicked his 1st career goal. Round 11: Simi Sasagi made his NRL debut for the club. Round 11: Sauaso Sue scored his 1st try for the club. Round 12: Mitchell Barnett played his 100th game for the club. Round 12: Enari Tuala played his 50th career game. Round 13: Jake Clifford made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the North Queensland Cowboys. Round 13: Mat Croker made his NRL debut for the club. Round 13: Jack Johns made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Round 14: Jake Clifford kicked his 1st goal for the club. Round 14: Kurt Mann played his 50th game for the club. Round 14: Dom Young scored his 1st career try. Round 16: Hymel Hunt played his 100th career game. Round 21: Jake Clifford played his 50th career game and scored his 1st try for the club. Round 21: Kalyn Ponga captained his 1st game for the club. Round 22: Connor Watson played his 100th career game. Round 23: Jirah Momoisea made his NRL debut for the club. Round 25: Jack Johns scored his 1st career try.
Jerseys and sponsors In 2021, the Knights' jerseys were made by O'Neills and their major sponsor was nib Health Funds.
2021 Home Jersey2021 Away Jersey2021 Heritage Jersey2021 Indigenous Jersey2021 NSW Mining Jersey
Fixtures
Pre-season Trials Date Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions AttendanceSaturday, 27 February Melbourne StormAlbury Sports Ground10–30D.Lucas, D.YoungC.Randall (1/1) Legend:
Statistics NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPointsCaptainAge24413042027173001202023300122025132330740232000002291106021103001202719300120306000003571601602217400160286100402422300120231810040262100000282230113028300000237100402312301130321581005252352008026203001217252330012025200000203000002331004023232008029126002402125130052023252008025640016020 Totals 25 80 63 2 448 – Average: 25
31 players used.
Source:
Representative honours
The following players appeared in a representative match or were named in a representative squad in 2021.
Emerging Blues squad Bradman Best Tex Hoy Jacob Saifiti
New South Wales Daniel Saifiti
Queensland Kurt Mann (18th man) Kalyn Ponga
Individual honours
Newcastle Knights awards
Player of the Year (Danny Buderus Medal): Jacob Saifiti Excalibur Club Players' Player: Connor Watson Gladiator of the Year: Jayden Brailey Community Player of the Year: Josh King Rookie of the Year: Brodie Jones Knight in Shining Armour: Mitchell Pearce Club Person of the Year: Mathew Morris & Jane Farrell NSW Cup Player of the Year: Zac Hosking NSW Cup Excalibur Club Players' Player: Mat Croker & Luke Huth
References