The Newcastle Knights will be aiming to play finals again after featuring in the top eight last season for the first time since 2013.
After coming out the other side of their rebuild, Gary Belcher and Scott Sattler are expecting another solid season from Adam O’Brien’s side.
“I think they’re going to be very, very strong this year,” Belcher said on Sportsday.
“Tyson Frizell leads their list of gains along with Blake Green, but I’m not sure how much footy they’re going to get out of him this year with the ACL injury.”
Belcher expects another season of experience for the young squad to equate to improvement in 2021.
“They’ve had a few guys move on, Herman Ese’ese has gone to the Gold Coast, Tim Glasby and Aiden Guerra have retired,” Belcher added.
“Also Mason Lino, Sione Mata’utia and Andrew McCullough have left, so plenty have gone.
“However, I just think they look very strong. The important thing is having another year under their belt.”
Scott Sattler believes the Knights prospects hinge on the back of their star fullback.
“It’s all going to hinge on Kalyn Ponga of course and keeping him on the park,” Sattler said.
“He’s gone past that talented stage, it’s up to him to lead the team now instead of just coming up with the big play.
Sattler also expects a young front rower to enjoy a breakout season.
“They’ve recently re-signed him until 2022, he’s a young front rower and his name is Pasami Saulo,” he said.
“He’s a really good young player, he’ll have a good season.”
As for expected finish, Sattler has the Knights “fighting out Manly for that eighth position”, while Belcher has “got them sixth or seventh, definitely in the top eight”.
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