2017 Harold Matts and SG Ball

They announced the full squads in February last year but [MENTION=243]Billy[/MENTION] would probably have a better idea

 

18 tries ???

What about conversions and/or penalty goals ???

 

Ahhh I see, Thanks for that Billy

Speaking of our best players, Article about Brock Gardner below

Thoughts on him ??


17 STARS OF 2017 | Brock Gardner

Simon Masterton (Twitter: @OiSimmo)
Sat 14th January, 11:00AM
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To kick off 2017, we take a look at some of the up-and-coming male and female stars who will hope to represent NSW this year and in the future.

Today we look at a lock forward who stood out for both the Knights and the NSW Under-16s last year: Brock Gardner.

Known for his energetic style of play, Gardner was a natural captaincy choice for the Newcastle Knights in the Harold Matthews Cup last year – and will improve as he rises up the ranks of the NSWRL Pathways.

Playing at lock, Gardner was a major factor behind the Knights’ red-hot form in 2016, leading them to a grand-final meeting with the Eels.

Unfortunately, a game-ending injury to the skipper significantly hurt the side’s chances in that game, but he recovered in time to be selected for the NSW Under-16 side.

With a solid defensive performance he helped the team to their 12-10 victory and will look to represent his state once again this year.

First must come the next challenge of SG Ball, where Gardner will hope to impress again alongside many of his 2016 teammates.


http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/01/09/_17_stars_of_2017_br.html



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[FONT=&amp]17 STARS OF 2017 | Phoenix Crossland


Simon Masterton (Twitter: @OiSimmo)
Mon 16th January, 11:00AM
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To kick off 2017, we take a look at some of the up-and-coming male and female stars who will hope to represent NSW this year and in the future.

Today we look at one of four young Knights rapidly rising through the NSW ranks: Phoenix Crossland.

This Newcastle Knights junior is yet another talented playmaker who will look to feature in more NSW representative sides in years to come.

Crossland was outstanding throughout the Harold Matthews season, as the Knights kept pace with eventual premiers the Eels.

Playing at halfback, he put forward a sensational individual effort to score in the grand final, as Newcastle fell just short of a remarkable late comeback.

He also combined well with five-eighth Jock Madden and lock and captain Brock Gardner; the trio were all selected for the NSW Under-16s in May.

With a solid kicking game, Crossland took on the majority of in-play kicking duties as NSW defeated Queensland 12-10.

A student of Hunter Sports High School, he continues to improve significantly and will look to make his mark on the SG Ball competition this year.


http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/01/09/_17_stars_of_2017_ph.html




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Elite Pathways camp launched

Fri 20th January, 04:40PM
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This week saw the launch of another specialised program within the nib Newcastle Knights’ Elite Pathways program, with a camp staged for external players.

Nine promising young players from New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand came to Knights HQ on Tuesday morning, and have spent four days showing their skills and learning what it takes to become a professional footballer.

“We’ve done some testing with them, exposed them to some of our wellbeing and education protocols and processes, and seen how they measure up physically,” Elite Pathways Recruitment Manager Troy Pezet explained.

“It’s been a pretty intense week for the boys, but I think they’ve all got a lot out of it.”

Two of the players come from the New Zealand Under 15s and Under 17s teams, and were flown over by the Club for the training camp.

It was 15-year-old Sam Kamu’s first visit to Australia, and he said it was an exciting process to be a part of.

“It’s been really good,” he said.

“The Knights contacted me after I did a training camp back home in Auckland.”

“We’ve been doing a little bit of fitness, working on our contact, tackling technique and ball skills.

Pezet said the group was kept quite small so that each player could maximise their learning experience, and that the players would be able to demonstrate what they’ve learnt in a trial match this weekend.

“You can spend some more quality time with a smaller group,” he explained.

“Scott Dureau (Development Coach) and Matt Toohey (Youth Physical Development Manager) have done a lot of one-on-one coaching and video.

“This Saturday we have a junior trial against the Raiders, so these boys will have the opportunity to play in this trial with our Harold Matthews and SG Ball boys.”

Pezet also said the pilot program should be considered a success, and that the Club would continue to monitor the players’ development as they become eligible for the Knights’ Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides.

“They’ve been a good group to work with and I think it’s something that we’ll continue to do,” he said.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/01/20/elite_pathways_camp_.html



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