The nib Newcastle Knights are blessed with options for 2020.
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 Adam O’Brien.
Today, we take a look at the backrow options.
Note: These depth charts are the opinion of newcastleknights.com.au and have no input from the coaching staff.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon
There’s no denying Fitzgibbon is a wonderful hole-runner.
The local product continues to improve every year and had another great season in 2019.
He’s a strong edge defender and his ability to find the try line will be factors in Fitzgibbon finding himself starting in the backrow for the Knights in Round 1.
Mitch Barnett
Barnett has been one of Newcastle’s best in recent years.
He took home his second Danny Buderus Medal for Player of the Year last season after another strong season on the right edge.
A passionate player who aims up with and without the ball, Barnett is often looking for an inspirational play in defence and one of the first to put up his hand for a carry.
Barnett: Training challenges and positional changes
Beau Fermor
Unfortunately for Fermor, an ACL injury stopped any chance of the exciting backrower from making his NRL debut in 2019.
The 21-year-old is a strong runner of the ball with quick footwork at the line and was the top try scorer in the 2018 Jersey Flegg season for the Knights.
While he’s currently mending his knee, another year spent with the NRL squad will only give Fermor valuable experience for when he returns to the field.
Brodie Jones
Entering his third season with the NRL squad, Jones will be looking to impress during the pre-season in a bid to make his first-grade debut.
The 21-year-old is a Cessnock junior is a strong ball runner.
He’s represented NSW in both Under 16s and 18s and was an Australian Schoolboy in 2016.
Sione Mata’utia
It’s hard to believe that Mata’utia is only 23.
He’s already achieved so much in the game, having already captained his Club and passed 100 NRL games.
He spent most of last season in the backrow but was always a viable option for the Knights in the backline.
Aidan Guerra
Guerra has done almost everything in the game.
He’s represented his country, state and won a premiership back in 2013 with the Sydney Roosters.
The 31-year-old started the 2019 season off strongly before an ankle injury sidelined him for a chunk of the year.
With big game experience, the veteran will be pressing hard to make 2020 a winner.
Jirah Momoisea
An exciting youngster, Momoisea can play middle or edge.
Having spent another year in the game after playing rugby as a teen, this hard working New Zealand product is an option in the backrower should he be called on.
Hymel Hunt
While he's spent the bulk of his NRL career in the backline, the Samoan international has filled the void while at South Sydney.
The 26-year-old has the physicality and size to slot into the position should he need to.
