Know your Knights !!

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Darius Boyd (Knights Player #230)



- "Darbs"
- Born 17/7/87 in Brisbane, QLD
- Fullback
- Raised by his grandmother after the loss of his parents
- Played 62 games for the Knights 2012-2014
- Represented QLD 28 times 2008-2017
- Represented Australia 23 times 2008-2017
- 2x Premiership winner in 2006 and 2010
- Clive Churchill Medal 2010
- Dally M Fullback of the year 2010
- RLIF Fullback of the year 2010
- Checked into a clinic to treat depression in July 2014
- Currently playing for the Brisbane Broncos (2017)

Joel Edwards (Knights Player #218)



- Born 17/7/88 in Cessnock, NSW
- Second Rower / Lock
- Played 45 games for the Knights 2010-2012
- Went on to play for Canberra Raiders (until 2015)
- Currently playing for Wests Tigers (2017)

Brendan Worth (Knights Player #175)



- "Truck"
- Born 18/7/84 in Darwin, NT
- Prop
- Played 6 games for the Knights in 2005
- Played 15 games for the Penrith Panthers
- Also played and coached in France

Sione Tovo (Knights Player #216)



- Born 19/7/88 in Mascot, NSW
- Prop
- Played one game for the Knights in 2009
- Represented Tonga for one game in 2009

Jamie Ainscough (Knights Player #69)

- Born 20/7/72 in Sydney, NSW
- Winger / Centre
- Played 87 games for the Knights 1992-1996
- Also played for the Dragons and Western Suburbs
- Finished his career in the ESL playing for Wigan
- Represented NSW 12 times 1996-2001
- Represented Australia once in 1995
- Represented Australian Schoolboys 1989
- Scored 47 tries in just 87 games for the Knights

Luke Quigley (Knights Player #147)



- Born 20/7/81 in Dubbo, NSW
- Hooker
- Played 41 games for the Knights 2002-2006

Nathan Barnes (Knights Player #80)

- Born 22/7/75
- Winger / Centre
- Played 41 games for the Knights 1994-1995
- Also played for the Panthers, Parramatta and the Raiders

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Daniel Quinn (Knights Player #148)



- Born in 24/7/78 in Maitland, NSW
- Prop
- Has played 4 games in the NRL total
- 1 with the Knights in 2002
- 3 with the Northern Eagles in 2000
- Last known whereabouts Captain/Coach Western Suburbs in the real NRL 2010

Matthew Johns (Knights Player #73)



- "Matty" "Reg Reagan" "Trent the Flight Steward"
- Brother of Andrew Johns
- Born 27/7/71 in Cessnock, NSW
- Five-Eighth
- Formed a great partnership with brother Andrew in the halves for the Knights
- Played 176 games for the Knights 1992-2000
- Captained the Knights for 21 games from 1995-1999
- Part of our premiership winning team in 1997
- Represented Country once in 1996
- Represented NSW 4 times 1995-1998
- Represented Australia 9 times 1995-1999
- Also played for the Cronulla Sharks
- Embroiled in a few controversies during and after his career
- Has had many different positions in the media including The Footy Show and now the Matty Johns Show on Fox

John Morris (Knights Player #141)

- Born 29/7/80 in Scone, NSW
- Hooker
- Played 31 games for the Knights 2001-2002
- Played 300 NRL games
- Has also played for Parramatta, Cronulla and the Wests Tigers
- Retired at the end of 2014

Scott Dureau (Knights Player #199)



- Born 29/7/86 in Taree, NSW
- Halfback
- Played 42 games for the Knights 2007-2010
- Played 97 games for Catalans Dragons 2011-2015
- Missed a lot of 2013/2014 as he had a tumour removed from behind his eye
- Was married to Libby in 2015 and welcomed his first child in 2016
- Current Assistant Coach of the Knights Holden Cup Team

Marvin Karawana (Knights Player #193)



- Born 30/7/86 in Wellington, NZ
- Utility
- Has one son, Ziah, born 2010
- Played 34 games for the Knights 2007-2011
- Missed the entire 2010 season after tearing his ACL in pre season
- Last known whereabouts: 2014 living, working, and playing rugby in Wellington
- Follow Marvin on Twitter

I noticed Brendan Worth and Daniel Abraham both played for Macquarie this week.

Billy said:

I noticed Brendan Worth and Daniel Abraham both played for Macquarie this week.

Click to expand...

Thanks Billy, I'll update the first page

Happy birthday to the following players and coach who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

George Mann (Knights Player #16)



- Born 31/7/65
- Prop / Second Rower
- Played 8 games in the NRL total - for the Knights in 1988
- Also played 141 games for St Helens & 77 games for Leeds Rhinos in the UK Superleague 1989-1996
- Played 9 Tests for New Zealand 1989-1991
- Played 2 Tests for Tonga in 1995
- His career ended in 2000 following severe facial injuries

Nathan Brown (Coach)

- Born 31/7/73
- Hooker
- Played 172 NRL Games for the Dragons
- Forced to retire at 27 due to a neck injury
- Former coach of the Dragons, Huddersfield and St Helens
- Coached St Helens to a Premiership in 2014
- Has coached over 380 games with a win rate of 52%
- Contracted until 2018

Wayne Richards (Knights Player #62)

- Born 2/8/1970
- Second Rower / Lock
- Represented Country once in 1997
- Premiership winner with the Knights in 1997
- Played 51 games for the Knights
- Also played for Illawarra and South Sydney

Grant Stuart (Knights Player #118)



- Born 2/8/75 in Canberra, ACT
- Centre
- Played 2 games for the Knights in 1998-1999
- Also played for Balmain

Pauli Pauli (Knights Player #267)

- Born 4/8/94 in Bankstown, NSW
- Prop / Second Rower
- Australian Schoolboys Team (2012)
- Has played 15 games for the Knights so far
- Also played for the Parramatta Eels

Sam Stone (Knights Player #282)

- Born 4/8/97 in Gold Coast, QLD
- Son of former coach Rick Stone
- Lakes United Junior
- Second Rower
- Junior Kangaroo (2017)
- Has played 11 games for the Knights so far

Shannon McDonnell (Knights Player #214)



- Born 5/8/87 in Camden, NSW
- Fullback
- Played 29 games for the Knights 2009-2011
- Also played for the Wests Tigers, Hull KR, Hull FC and St Helens

Jack Cogger (Knights Player #275)



- Born 5/8/97 in Greenacre, NSW
- Toukley Hawks Junior
- Australian Schoolboys Representative
- Halfback
- Son of former Western Suburbs Magpies player Trevor Cogger
- Debuted Round 10, 2016
- Has played 6 games so far for the Knights
- Contracted until the end of 2018

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Michael Hagan (Knights Player #37)



- Born 12/8/64
- Played 111 games for the Knights
- Captained the Knights 91 times 1989-1993
- Coached the Knights in 154 games from 2001-2006
- Won a premiership as coach of the Knights in 2001
- Coached Parramatta 2007 & 2008
- Coached Queensland Maroons in 2004 & 2005
- Announced late in 2014 that he would be returning to the Knights as Director of Football
- Currently Team Manager of the Kangaroos (2017)

Chris Adams (Knights Player #234)



- Born 12/8/86 in Nambour, QLD
- Hooker
- Played 3 games for the Knights in 2012 and then played 5 more games in 2016
- Currently plays for Lakes united in the Real NRL (2017)

Special mention to Allan McMahon who would've turned 63 on Wednesday, RIP Allan

Allan McMahon (Coach)



- Born 9/8/54 in Wollongong, NSW
- Passed away in 2003 after a heart attack, He was 48 years old
- Was the Knights first coach
- Coached the Knights from 1988-1991 for 81 games
- Also Coached Illawarra Steelers in 1996
- Was also a player for Balmain, Newtown & Canberra from 1975-1983
- Represented Australia for 5 games from 1975-1977

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Michael Eagar (Knights Player #84)

- Born 15/8/73 in Newcastle, NSW
- Centre / Five Eighth
- Played 11 games for the Knights in 1994-1995
- Also played for Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers & Hull during his time in the ESL from 1998-2005

Glenn Grief (Knights Player #95)



- Born 15/8/73 in Fairfield, NSW
- Prop
- Played 96 games for the Knights 1996-2001
- Part of our 2001 Premiership winning team
- Represented Country once in 1995
- Also played for South Sydney and Western Suburbs
- Retired in 2002 after just one game for the South Sydney Rabbitohs

Chanel Mata'utia (Knights Player #252)



- Born 17/8/92 in Liverpool, NSW
- Wing / Centre
- Debuted in Round 20, 2014 alongside his brother Sione
- Brother of Sione, Peter & Pat Mata'utia
- Has played 14 games for the Knights so far and has scored 6 tries
- South Newcastle and Bankstown Cougars Junior
- In 2015 after signing a letter of intent for the Bulldogs, He along with his brothers re-signed with the Knights until 2018

Mark Sargent (Knights Player #39)



-"Sarge"
- Born 18/8/64
- Prop
- Played 126 games for the Knights 1989-1995
- Captained the Knights for 26 games 1994-1995
- Represented Country 3 times 1989-1994
- Represented NSW once in 1990
- Represented Australia 4 times 1990-1992
- Rothman's Medal winner 1989
- Served on the NRL Judiciary 1999-2000
- Former Knights Team Manager
- Also played for the Bulldogs
- Retired in 1995

Tony Herman (Knights Player #47)

- Born 18/8/67
- Winger
- Played 48 games for the Knights 1989-1995
- Married to Lisa, has two children Matthew & Montana
- Last known whereabouts - working as a scaffolding supervisor (2008)

Dylan Phythian (Knights Player #278)

- Born 19/8/95 in Newcastle, NSW
- Junior Clubs include Lakes United, Belmont and West Rosellas
- Fullback / Halfback / Five-Eighth
- Has played 3 games for the Knights so far
- Contracted until the end of 2017

Trent Salkeld (Knights Player #177)



- Born 20/8/81
- Winger
- Played 17 games for the Knights in 2005

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Robbie Rochow (Knights Player #237)



- Born 22/8/90 in Maitland, NSW
- Plays Second Rower / Prop
- Junior clubs include East Maitland Griffins and Kurri Kurri Bulldogs
- Named in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year in 2009 and 2010
- Played 72 games for the Knights 2012-2016
- Previously played for the Melbourne Storm
- Represented Country in 2014
- Missed most of the 2015 season after suffering back spasms, returning for a few weeks before breaking his arm
- Missed most of 2016 season with injury
- Signed a 1 year deal with the Rabbitohs for 2017
- Currently plays for the Melbourne Storm after a mid season player swap (2017)

Glen Frendo (Knights Player #3)



- Born 24/8/64
- Fullback / Winger
- Played 47 games for the Knights 1988-1990
- Also played for the Bulldogs

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Steve Walters (Knights Player #120)



- Born 28/8/65 in Ipswich, QLD
- "Boxhead"
- Hooker
- One of 3 Walters brothers to play NRL
- One of Two Steve Walters who played for the Knights
- Dally M Hooker of the Year 1991, 1993 and 1995
- Played 7 games for the Knights in 1999
- Represented QLD 17 times from 1990-1997
- Represented Australia 19 times from 1991-1997
- Played 272 first grade games total
- Forced to retire halfway through the 1999 season due to a recurring knee injury

Brett Grogan (Knights Player #88)

- Born 30/8/73
- Winger / Centre
- Played 62 games for the Knights 1994-1998
- Also played for the Northern Eagles

Trent Hodkinson (Knights Player #265)

- Born 31/8/88 in Campbelltown, NSW
- Halfback
- Junior Kangaroo in 2007
- NSW Residents Team in 2009
- Has played 39 games for the Knights so far
- Has captained the Knights on 30 occasions 2016-2017
- Also played for Manly and the Bulldogs
- Has represented NSW 6 times 2014-2015
- Off contract in 2018

Tyler Randell (Knights Player #254)



- Born 31/8/92 in Scone, NSW
- Hooker / Utility
- Has played 44 games for the Knights so far
- Debuted in Round 25, 2014
- Aberdeen Tigers Junior
- Resigned for 2 years in 2015
- Released by the Knights in 2017

David Fairleigh (Knights Player #132)



- Born 1/9/70 in Wyoming, NSW
- Prop / Second Rower
- Debuted in the NRL in 1989
- Played 193 games for the North Sydney Bears
- Played 26 games for the Knights in 2000
- Rothmans Medal winner 1994
- Dally M Second Rower of the Year 1996
- Represented Australia in 15 games 1994-1996
- Represented NSW 10 times 1991-1997
- Represented City 5 times 1992-1996
- Knights player of the year 2000
- Also played for St Helens in the UK Superleague
- Named in the North Sydney team of the Century
- Retired at the end of 2001
- Coached the Cook Islands team 7 times from 2009
- Former Assistant Coach at the Warriors (2010-2011) and Panthers (2012-2015)
- Currently an Assistant Coach at the Cowboys (2017)

Troy Fletcher (Knights Player #100)



- Born 1/9/73 in Waratah, NSW
- Second Rower
- Part of our 1997 and 2001 Premiership winning squads
- Played 88 games for the Knights 1996-2001
- Captain/Coach Western Suburbs in the real NRL 2002-2004
- Has a Masters Degree in Business Administration - 2011
- Member of the Knights advisory board (2014)
- President of the Knights Old Boys Club

Robbie O'Davis (Knights Player #68)



- "Robbie O"
- Born 3/9/72 in Kurrajong, NSW
- Fullback
- One of only 7 players to play 200+ games for the Knights
- Played 223 games for the Knights 1992-2004
- Captained the Knights for 1 game in 2004
- Part of our premiership winning teams of 1997 and 2001
- Clive Churchill Medal winner 1997
- Represented QLD 12 times 1995-2002
- Represented Australia 8 times 1995-1998
- Was once embroiled in a steroids scandal with then team mate Wayne Richards
- Retired in 2004

Neil Sweeney (Knights Player #149)



- Born 3/9/77 in Newcastle, NSW
- Wing / Centre
- Played 4 games for the Knights in 2002
- Played 49 games for the NQ Cowboys from 2003-2007

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Peter Shiels (Knights Player #111)

- Born 4/9/73 in Bankstown, NSW
- Is married to Linda Alexander (Sister of former Panthers halfback Greg)
- Prop / Second Rower
- Played 61 Games for the Knights 1998-2000
- Also played for the Panthers, Western Suburbs and Western Reds
- Finshed his career at St Helens in 2002

Tea Ropati (Knights Player #17)



- Born in 7/9/64 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre
- Has 5 children
- Related to League Players Joe, John and Iva Ropati and Commentator Peter Ropati
- Played 2 games for the Knights in 1988
- Played Super League from 1989 - 1991
- Played for the Warriors from 1995 - 1998
- Represented New Zealand 9 times 1986-1997
- Represented Western Samoa twice
- Current coach of Mangere East Hawks in the Auckland Rugby League Competition

David Fa'alogo (Knights Player # 241)



- Born 9/9/80 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Prop / Second Rower
- Played 56 games for the Knights 2013-2015
- Played 142 games for Souths 2003-2009
- Famously sacked from Souths for knocking then coach Jason Taylor out
- Announced his retirement due to injury in August, 2015

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Jason Martin (Knights Player #74)



- Born 14/9/70
- Halfback
- Dally M Rookie of the Year 1990
- Played 16 games for the Knights 1993-1994
- Also played for North Sydney and the Cowboys

Constantine Mika (Knights Player #215)



- Born 14/9/89 in Auckland, NZ
- Utility
- Played 1 Test for Samoa in 2010
- Played 14 games for the Knights 2009-2011
- Currently plays for Toulouse Olympique in the Kingstone Press Championship

Brett Kimmorley (Knights Player #92)



- "Noddy"
- Born 15/9/76 in Newcastle, NSW
- Halfback
- Brother of fellow Knights player Craig Kimmorley
- Has 4 daughters
- Married to Sharni who passed away in 2017 after a battle with brain cancer
- Played 6 games for the Knights in 1995/1996
- Also played for Hunter Mariners, Melbourne Storm, Northern Eagles, Cronulla Sharks & Canterbury Bulldogs
- Played 307 First grade games in total
- Scored 76 career tries
- Infamously ruptured a testicle in a match in 2003
- Represented Australia in 22 games from 1997 - 2005
- Represented NSW in 10 games between 2000 & 2010
- Represented Country for 5 games
- Clive Churchill Medalist 1999
- Dally M Halfback of the Year 2000
- Was an Assistant Coach at Canterbury 2011 and 2012 and then an Assistant Coach at the Raiders in 2013 and 2014
- Appointed Tigers Holden Cup Coach in 2015 and left after the finals series
- Currently a Fox Sports commentator

James Wynne (Knights Player #142)

- Born 16/9/76 in Gunnedah, NSW
- Halfback
- Has a son Xavier
- Played 5 games for Newcastle in 2001 and 2002
- Represented France in 2007 & 2008

Jarrod O'Doherty (Knights Player #107)



- Born 16/9/77 in Newcastle, NSW
- Second Rower
- Played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1995
- Played 28 games in the NRL - all for the Knights between 1997 & 2002
- Also played Super League UK for Huddersfield
- Last known working for Maddison Safety with fellow ex player Tim Maddison in the Newcastle Area (2014)

Steve Gordon (Knights Player #192)



- Born 17/9/86 in Dubbo, NSW
- Fullback
- Played 2 games with the Knights in 2007

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Craig Kimmorley (Knights Player #89)



- Born 18/9/74
- Halfback
- Older brother of fellow Knights player Brett Kimmorley
- Played 2 games for the Knights in 1995
- Also played for the Hunter Mariners, Adelaide Rams and Sydney City Roosters

David Lomax (Knights Player #114)

- Born 21/9/70 in Wellington, NZ
- Prop / Second Rower
- Represented New Zealand 3 times in 1993
- Played 29 games for the Knights 1998-1999
- Also played for the Western Reds and Canberra Raiders
- Played for Huddersfield in the ESL

Joe Wardle (Knights Player #284)

- Born 22/9/91 in Halifax, England
- Second Rower / Centre
- Has played 17 games for the Knights so far
- Also played for the Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls
- Has represented Scotland 6 times 2010-2014
- Released by the Knights after 2017

Adrian Brunker (Knights Player #51)

- Born 23/9/70
- Winger / Centre
- Played 57 games for the Knights 1990-1993
- Represented QLD 3 times 1992-1993
- Also played for the Dragons and Gold Coast Seagulls

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Paul Marquet (Knights Player #48)



- Born 26/9/69 in Newcastle, NSW
- "Pepe"
- Second Rower
- Played 137 games for the Knights 1990-1996, 2001
- Players player 1995
- Part of our Premiership winning team in 2001
- Also played for the Melbourne Storm and Hunter Mariners
- Finished his career in 2002 playing for the Warrington Wolves in the ESL

Steve Simpson (Knights Player #126)

- Born 27/9/79 in Maitland, NSW
- Second Rower
- One of only 7 players to play 200+ games for the Knights
- Played 216 games for the Knights from 1999-2010
- Captained the Knights 18 times from 2003-2010
- Part of our premiership winning team in 2001
- Represented Country 3 times 2001-2005
- Represented NSW 13 times 2002-2008
- Represented Australia 7 times 2002-2007
- Retired in 2010

Reegan Tanner (Knights Player #155)



- Born 27/9/82 in Kurri Kurri, NSW
- Second Rower / Lock
- Played 83 NRL games, All for the Knights 2003-2007
- Returned home to play for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs in 2008
- Retired in 2013

Jeff Doyle (Knights Player #24)



- Born 1/10/67
- Centre
- Played 71 games for the Knights 1988-1991
- Also played for the North Sydney Bears and Western Reds

Matt Jobson (Knights Player #140)



- Born 1/10/80 in Maitland, NSW
- Prop
- Played 24 games for the Knights 2001-2003
- Also played for the Warriors & Wests Tigers
- Spent time playing league in France
- Currently working in Real Estate in Queensland (2013)

Where are they now: Tony Townsend

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/09/29/where_are_they_now_t.html

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Siuatonga Likiliki (Knights Player #229)



- "Tonga"
- Born 10/4/90 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre
- Father of Twin boys Kruz & Paxton and 1 Daughter
- Finished with the Knights in 2013
- Played one game for the Knights in 2011
- Played one game for the Warriors in 2009
- Signed with the Titans in 2014 but did not play first grade with them
- Played for Tonga in 2009 & 2013

Akuila Uate (Knights Player #209)



- Born 6/10/87 in Votua, Fiji
- "Aku" "Akuila the Thriller" "Fijian Flyer"
- Woy Woy Roosters Junior
- Winger
- Played 161 games for the Knights 2008-2016
- Has represented Fiji 12 times 2006-2016
- Has represented Country 3 times 2011-2015
- Has represented NSW 5 times 2011-2012
- Has represented the NRL All Stars twice 2011-2013
- Has represented Australia 5 times 2011-2012
- Has equal most tries in a match for the club at 4 in Round 26, 2011
- Has equal most tries in a season with 21 in 2010
- Scored 110 tries in just 166 games for the Knights
- Is the club's all time leading try scorer
- Dally M Winger of the Year 2010, 2011 and 2012
- RLIF Winger of the year 2011
- Left the Knights early to sign with Manly in 2017

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Kyle O'Donnell (Knights Player #236)



- Born 9/10/90 in Nowra, NSW
- Prop / Second Rower
- Finished with the Knights in 2012
- Younger brother of Luke O'Donnell
- Debuted against South Sydney in Round 18 2012 but doesn't remember a thing as he was knocked clean out only 7 minutes in
- Retired after the 2015 season while playing for Mounties in the NSW Cup

Zeb Taia (Knights Player #198)



- Born 11/10/84 in Auckland, New Zealand
- Played 101 games for the Knights
- Second Rower / Lock
- Represented New Zealand once in 2010
- Represented the Cook Islands 4 times 2012-2013
- Also played for the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans
- Currently playing for St Helens in the ESL (2017)

Paul Harragon (Knights Player #35)



- "Chief"
- Born 12/10/68 in Kurri Kurri, NSW
- Has 3 kids with wife Pam
- Prop / Second Row
- Had one of the greatest rivalries ever seen with Manly Prop Mark "Spud" Carroll
- Played 169 games for the Knights 1988-1999
- Captained the Knights for 71 games from 1995-1999
- Captained the Knights to their first Premiership in 1997
- Represented Country 6 times 1992-1997
- Represented NSW 20 times 1992-1998
- Represented Australia 20 times 1992-1998
- Dally M Prop of the Year 1996
- Ken Stephen Memorial Award winner 1997
- Country Player of the year 1995
- Longtime presenter on Channel 9's The Footy Show
- Chairman of the Knights Advisory Board until 2014
- Received an OAM in 2000
- Appeared on "I'm a Celebrity get me out of here" in 2016 with his selected charity being the Mark Hughes Foundation

Nathan Hinton (Knights Player #185)



- Born 13/10/85 in Newcastle, NSW
- Fullback
- Played 7 Games for the Knight between 2006 and 2007

Robbie McCormack (Knights Player #25)



- Born 14/10/64
- Hooker
- Captained the Knights for 3 games in 1994
- Played 154 games for the Knights 1988-1996
- Knights player of the year 1992 & 1994
- Players player of the year 1992 & 1994
- Played for Hunter Mariners
- Also played for Wigan in UK Superleague in 1998 where they won the Grand Final
- Named in 1998's Super League dream team
- Represented NSW for 2 games, one each in 1992 & 1993

Jaelen Feeney (Knights Player #264)



- Born 14/10/1994 in Sydney, NSW
- Five Eighth / Halfback / Fullback
- Nerang Roosters Junior
- Played for the Bulldogs in Holden Cup
- Debuted Round 1,2016
- Has played 13 games for the Knights so far
- Released by the Knights after 2017

Riley Brown (Knights Player #165)



- Born 15/10/84 in Bundaberg, QLD
- Junior Club: Singleton Greyhounds
- Hooker / Utility
- Debuted in the NRL in 2004
- Played 40 games for the Knights 2004-2007
- Also played for the Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans
- Became guardian of his 2 younger brothers at 18 after his father was jailed for murdering his mother when he was 15

Dane Campbell (Knights Player #178)



- Born 15/10/84
- Halfback
- Played 6 games in the NRL, All for the Knights in 2005
- Was Player/Coach for Noosa Pirates
- Coached the Jamaican National team
- Coached the Vanuatu National team
- Retired from playing in 2010 after being diagnosed with bleeding on the brain after a serious head knock while playing
- Was one of the founders of the Vanuatu national rugby league team in 2011
- Current owner and chief administrator of Hurricanes Rugby League team based in Jamaica

Happy birthday to the following players who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Timana Tahu (Knights Player #128)



- Born 16/10/80 in Melbourne, Victoria
- Centre / Winger
- Has 3 children with partner Kasey
- Played 126 games for the Knights from 1999-2004 and 2012-2014
- Has equal most tries in a season with 21 in 2002
- Second highest try scorer in club history with 93 tries
- Also played for Parramatta Eels & Penrith Panthers
- Represented Country 4 times between 2001 & 2010
- Represented NSW 12 times between 2002 & 2010
- Represented Australia 5 times between 2002 & 2006
- Represented Indigenous in the All Stars match in 2013
- Also played 20 games for the NSW Waratahs in Rugby Union and Represented Australia 4 times in Union
- Retired at the end of 2014

Wes Naiqama (Knights Player #203)



- Born 19/10/82 in Sydney, NSW
- Winger / Centre / Fullback
- Older brother of fellow Knight Kevin Naiqama
- Goal Kicker
- Captained the Knights for 2 games in 2011
- Played 75 games for the Knights 2008-2012
- Represented Fiji for 13 games 2006-2013
- Named Fiji player of the year in 2011
- Also Played for the Dragons and The Panthers
- Signed a 2 year deal with the London Broncos commencing in 2015
- Retired after the 2016 season

Sam Mataora (Knights Player #258)

- Born 20/10/90 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- Souths Sunnybank Junior
- Prop
- Has played 30 games for the Knights so far
- Played 33 games for Canberra
- Represented the Cook Islands 7 times 2009-2017
- Was a part of the 2015 NSW Cup Grand Final winning team
- Announced his retirement in 2017

Where are they now: Bill Peden


Fri 8th December, 01:19PM


The history of the nib Newcastle Knights is kept alive by the many men who have pulled on the red and blue jersey since the Club’s inaugural year in 1988.

Knights TV has tracked down some of the best through the years to see where they are now and what their lives look like after footy.

Bill Peden typifies the working-class roots of the Knights.

A local Cessnock lad, Peden played nine seasons and 190 NRL games in the red and blue jersey and now, years after footy, is involved with the Hunter mining industry.

But, life after the Knights all started with a move abroad.

“When I finished playing here, it always happens quicker than what you think, I moved over to England and played for a year,” Peden said.

“I was a strength and conditioning coach for the London Harlequins before I came back and was a strength and conditioning coach at the Knights for three years.”

Following on from that, the former Knights legend integrated into the Hunter community with a move to the mining industry.

“Very common in the Hunter, I moved into underground coal mining,” Peden said.

“I started off in a mine out near Beresfield, Abel Coal Mine, it’s since gone into care and maintenance but now I work at Chain Valley which is under Lake Macquarie.

“You often say you’re a coal miner and people think of open cuts which is up the valley but there is quite a lot of mining going on within this community, around Newcastle and underground, so we’re sort of tunnellers for want of a better term.”

The former Knights utility admits life after footy is something all players should start to think about early on in their careers.

“It's important to keep an eye on the future while you’re playing and it’s easy not to think about it when you're caught up in the hustle and bustle of professional sport,” he explained.

“Your career only lasts for 10 or 12 or 15 years if you’re really lucky, and there is a whole life after that so it does pay to keep an eye on something that can help you down the track.

From a Knights CEO to tradies, media and commentating careers, the Old Boys are an diverse group.

“We are a pretty eclectic bunch,” smiled Peden.

“You have your Matt Gidleys, the former CEO of the Club, down to blokes like myself who are into coal mining and pretty much every industry in between.

“It's great to see the Knights have people that can help the community down the track.

“I think us Old Boys, we feel a responsibility, we are all in a better position now because our involvement with the Club and our fans have looked after us over the years.

“Any opportunity we have to give something back, we certainly jump at the chance.”

Meanwhile, Peden has sung the praises of a new look Knights roster for the 2018 season.

“There have been a lot of changes and it is sad for some of the people that have left but it is very exciting, particularly for the Old Boys because we love to see a successful team,” he commented.

“Like everyone in the Hunter, we’re proud of the squad that Browny (Nathan Brown) has come up with and we see what sort of effort has been put into making the Club what it is now.”

“We have had a very tough three years, but I think things will change for the positive.

“There is a good buzz around the place and Browny has bought well and we’ve got some great kids coming to the club, so exciting times.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/12/08/where_are_they_now_b.html

Happy birthday to the following players and coach who celebrate a Birthday this week !!

Wayne Bennett (Coach)



- Born 1/1/50 in Allora, QLD
- Represented QLD as a player for 7 games from 1971-1973
- Has coached over 770 games
- Coached QLD 21 times
- Coached Australia 16 times
- NRL All stars coach 2010-2016
- 7x Premiership winning coach (Record) - 6 with the Brisbane Broncos (92, 93, 97, 98, 00, 06) and 1 with the Dragons in 2010
- Has a winning percentage of 62% over 30 years in the NRL (as of 2017)
- Broke his contract with the Knights one year early returning to the Brisbane Broncos in 2015
- Current coach of the Brisbane Broncos

Brendan Elliot (Knights Player #277)

- Born 1/1/94 in Brisbane, QLD
- Runaway Bay Junior
- Winger / Cenre / Fullback
- Has played 23 games for the Knights so far
- Also played for the Sydney Roosters
- Left the Knights the end of 2017 to take up a contract with the Titans

Korbin Sims (Knights Player #242)



- Born 2/1/92 in Gerringong, NSW
- Junior clubs were Gerrigong Lions and Wests Panthers
- Prop / Lock
- QLD rep in U16s, U18s and U20s
- Junior Kangaroo in 2012
- 2012 Toyota Cup Prop of the year
- Played 76 games for the Knights 2013-2016
- Represented Fiji for 7 games 2013-2017
- Brother of Ruan, Ashton & Tariq Sims
- Became a father for the first time in 2015 with baby Taavi
- Signed a 2 year deal with the Broncos starting in 2017

Dane Gagai (Knights Player #235)



- Born 3/1/91 in Mackay, QLD
- Centre / Fullback / Wing
- Junior Club is Brisbane Wests
- Debuted for the Brisbane Broncos in 2011
- Was told to find another club by the Broncos in May 2012 after multiple minor disciplinary breaches
- Signed with the Knights May 2012
- Played 128 games for the Knights
- Was named in the 2010 NYC team of the year at Fullback
- Was named in the 2011 NYC team of the year at Winger
- Current member of the Qld Maroons
- Has scored 5 tries in his 4 Origin games including a hatrick in Game 2, 2016
- Indigenous All-Stars representative twice in 2015 and 2016
- Son of former Broncos player Ray Gagai
- Members of his extended family include Travis Waddell, Wendell Sailor & Josh Hoffman
- Had his first child Dante in 2016 with partner Kelly
- Signed a 4 year deal with Souths starting in 2018

Adrian Shelford (Knights Player #30)



- Born 4/1/64 in Christchurch, NZ
- Died in 2003 from a Heart Attack, aged 39
- Prop
- Played 5 games for the Knights in 1988
- Played 11 games for Manly Sea Eagles
- Also played Super League in the UK in 1987 then from 1990-1992
- Retired due to a knee injury at age 27
- Became a high school teacher following retirement
- Cousin of All Black Wayne Shelford
- Represented New Zealand in 8 games from 1986-1989

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Knights Player #261)

- Born 5/1/94 in North Sydney, NSW
- Second Rower
- Souths Newcastle Junior
- Has played 20 games for the Knights so far
- Re-signed with the club at the end of 2017

Wishing Bennett and Korbin the unhappiest of birthdays.