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 five-eighth possibilities.
Kalyn Ponga
KP reveals his biggest challenge for 2019
Will he play fullback or five-eighth in 2019?
That is the question on the lips of Knights fans.
After his performance playing in the defensive line during his State of Origin debut and his appearance at five-eighth against Penrith, the door is open for a positional switch.
In 20 appearances for the Knights last season, Ponga averaged 141.9 running metres per game, crossed for six tries and had 11 try-assists.
Ponga's fancy feet and terrific ball playing ability makes him a great option to slot into five-eighth for 2019.
Connor Watson
He only managed 15 appearances in 2018, but in his limited games he really impressed in the five-eighth position.
He can play anywhere on the field but arrived at Newcastle at the start of the 2018 season with intentions of playing five-eighth.
He could find himself playing fullback to start the season but is a halves option.
His explosive running game and ball playing ability makes him a dangerous partner for Mitchell Pearce.
Mason Lino
Lino is a crafty five-eighth or halfback who has joined the Knights from the Warriors with all intentions of playing regular NRL in 2019.
He was the backup playmaker for the Warriors for the last couple of years and is a handy goal-kicker as well.
In eight games last season, Lino found the line of three occasions and kicked 14 goals.
The first couple of days have been really special
Kurt Mann
Mann arrives at the Club with expectations from the coaching staff to evolve his game.
Never in his career has Mann played hooker but Nathan Brown believes he can succeed in the dummy-half role.
He was a 'Mr Fix-it' for both Melbourne and St George Illawarra, as he could easily slot into any position in the backline.
The five-eighth role is one not foreign to him.
Mann's goal for 2019
Tex Hoy
Hoy is rising at a rapid pace as a playmaker having made the jump from Jersey Flegg to ISP at the age of 19 last season.
A Newcastle local, Hoy has been part of the club since 2015 where he won the Harold Matthews player of the year.
He's now training with the NRL squad.
An instinctual style of player, Hoy also plays fullback.
