The upcoming NRL Telstra Premiership season is shaping up to be one of the more promising in recent memory for the nib Newcastle Knights and newcastleknights.com.au believe there are a few records on offer that the team has the potential to re-create.
Below are some of the club records that stand, dating all the way back to 1988.
Biggest win
60-0 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 1999
Our biggest win came towards the end of the Rabbitohs’ first stint in the NRL before being momentarily culled.
In front of a home crowd of over 21,000, our boys didn’t let up as Mark Hughes crossed over for a hat-trick, Andrew Johns and Robbie O’Davis both sealed doubles and Danny Buderus, Adam MacDougall and Bill Peden all grabbed a try as well.
The closest the Knights have come to beating the record since was at home again in 2001 when they defeated the Wests Tigers 56-6.
In 2020, the 44-4 demolition of the Tigers in Rd13 was our biggest win of the year.
Most Points in a Match
34 - Andrew Johns vs Canberra Raiders, 2001
What a day Joey had at McDonald Jones Stadium. Not only was he perfect from the boot in knocking over nine from nine conversions, but he also crossed over for an incredible four tries.
Johns scored more than half of the team’s points as they ran out big 56-24 winners over the Raiders.
Most Tries in a Match
Four
This one is shared by multiple names including the previously mentioned Andrew Johns in 2001.
Speedy winger Darren Albert was the first man to do it in back in 2000 before Adam MacDougall followed suit the following year.
It’d be nine years before anybody else would achieve that feat as Cooper Vuna scored four against the Broncos, and in 2011, both Akuila Uate and James McManus equalled the record.
Kalyn Ponga was the closest to cracking this record last year, notching a hat-trick against Cronulla in Rd17.
Most Goals in a Match
11 - Andrew Johns vs Canberra Raiders, 2006
Not to be confused with his big performance against Canberra in 2001, Johns again shined with the boot in their 70-32 victory – the most points ever scored in a rugby league game.
Joey nailed 11 of the 12 conversions he took on the day and even scored a tidy double for himself.
Longest Winning Streak
11 games
A streak that spanned from August 25, 2001 to April 19, 2002, the red and blue picked up multiple consecutive victories that included three vital wins in the 2001 finals series.
While the streak started in Queensland with a win over North Queensland Cowboys, it ultimately came to an end in the same state as Brisbane Broncos defeated the boys 18-12 away from home.
Longest Winning Streak at Home
Nine games
Knights fans and the support and atmosphere they provide at home games is second to none in the NRL and from July 27, 2008 to May 31, 2009 lifted the team to nine straight victories at home.
Biggest Comeback
18 points
This was achieved on three separate occasions. The first time occurred in 1997 where we successfully defeated Parramatta Eels 28-20 despite being down 18-0 after 18 minutes. In 2000, the Brisbane Broncos lead 22-4 early in the second half before the Knights mustered a huge fightback to win 26-22, and they showcased that same fight in 2014 where they beat the Cronulla Sharks 31-18 after trailing 18-0 just before half-time.
The 14 point comeback against Penrith in Rd3 was equally, if not more impressive, however still doesn't match the current record.
Top Attendance at Home
32,642 vs Manly Sea Eagles, 1995
A result that didn’t go our way in the early days of the Newcastle-Manly rivalry. The Sea Eagles won 34-18 but regardless, the stadium was flooded with a beautiful red and blue sea.
Most Points in a Season
279 – Andrew Johns
Who else would have this honour to his name? In the Premiership winning 2001 season, Johns put up some huge number scoring 14 tries along with 110 goals and three field goals.
Most Tries in a Season
21
Electrifying outside back Timana Tahu set the initial record back in 2002 at just the age of 21-year-old, before Akuila Uate then equalled it in 2010.
Funnily enough, both men also finished a season with 20 in 2000 (Tahu) and 2011 (Uate).
