The nib Newcastle Knights are blessed with options for 2019.
In the lead-up to the new season, newcastleknights.com.au will look over the depth of the Club and break down the positional options at the disposal of coach Nathan Brown.
This week we take a look at the centre possibilities.
Jesse Ramien
At 21, Ramien is only scratching the surface when it comes to realising his potential.
Ramien has joined the Knights for the 2019 season from Cronulla, where he appeared in 20 games in 2018, scoring 10 tries.
Last season was a breakout year for Ramien, who was rewarded with selection in the Prime Minister's XIII and the Emerging Blues squad.
He's an imposing centre who will be a strike weapon for the Knights on the right edge.
State of Origin is a realistic goal for Ramien in 2019, so be ready to watch him come out of the blocks and push his case for selection.
Tautau Moga
Tautau Mega breaks injury silence
It was a disappointing 2018 for Moga after suffering a fourth ACL injury.
It is amazing however to think that Moga is still only 24 and has plenty of good football ahead of him.
He's a big and imposing centre who has a knack of scoring tries.
He's also a quality edge defender.
At 109 kilos, Moga could form a lethal combination with the likes of Shaun Kenny-Dowall or Edrick Lee in 2019.
Moga is looking to return to the field in the early Rounds of the 2019 season and will hope to secure a spot on his preferred left side.
'They make us want to work harder'
Sione Mata'utia
The former Australian international enjoyed a successful season filling in at centre after spending the 2017 season in the second-row.
Still only 22, Mata'utia has experience beyond his years having now played 90 NRL games.
Mata'utia was one the Knights best performers last season, featuring in every game but one.
He has now played in almost every position in the backline throughout his young career and could easily slot into centre if there was an injury.
He's a great option for Coach Nathan Brown and could well suit-up in that role to start the season should Moga be unavailable.
Nathan Ross
In the 15 games Nathan Ross played in last season, nine of them were in the centres.
Ross is a versatile outside back who can fill any position in the backline.
The 30-year-old will be pushing to squeeze himself into the starting side with centre or wing his preferred options.
The 2018 season was hampered by a groin injury which has since been surgically repaired.
Hymel Hunt
Hunt joins the Knights from South Sydney and has the ability to slot into any backline position.
In his young career, Hunt's versatility has made him a great back-up player at the Club's he's played with.
Hunt has spent time with the Gold Coast, Melbourne and South Sydney.
He's played most of his career at centre and will be a great option for Brown if there's an injury throughout the season.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Throughout Kenny-Dowall's career, he has featured either on the wing or in the centres at both club and international level.
Last season, Kenny-Dowall played one game in the centres due to an injury to Sione Mata'utia and didn't disappoint.
The former New Zealand international scored a try which was compared to the great last second try of the 1997 Grand Final as Kenny-Dowall and Connor Watson linked up similarly to Andrew Johns and Darren Albert.
The 30-year-old will most likely start the season on the wing but is an option for Brown if there is an injury in the centres.
Edrick Lee
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Lee has played in the centres three-times in his career but is still a solid option for the Knights next season.
Lee will most likely start the year off on the wing but can move into the centres in required.
His footwork, size and speed leaves coach Brown with plenty to ponder.
Brayden Musgrove
The 20-year-old is on the comeback after tearing his ACL last year.
An aggressive centre, the Cessnock product has climbed his way up the Club's lower grades.
A former NSW under 18s representative, Musgrove will start 2019 in the ISP NSW competition.
Part of the Club since 2014, Musgrove is a member of the full-time training squad and a development list player.
