Is Holbrook in contention for coach of the year after 'mind-blowing' start?

Denan Kemp has given high plaudits to Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook following their incredible start to the season.

Coming into his first season in charge, there were few expectations of the Novocastrians who finished in last place.

But instead, they have taken the competition by storm, having won four of their first five games.

This feat becomes more impressive considering that they have been without their two marquee players, Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, since Round 2.

With Newcastle currently in the top four, Kemp believes the former Titans coach should be a leading candidate for the coach of the year.

“I think if you were to give a Dally M coach (of the year award) outside of Ivan Cleary, I think it'd be Holbrook,” he explained on SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.

“Like, even at full strength…we would still be saying this is mind-blowing.

“We'd still be sitting here going, ‘Oh my god, what a start from Holbrook’.

“He's missing essentially half his salary cap (in Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga) like that's how much he's paying these two blokes.

“Fletcher Sharpe was out for a game as well. He's had sin bins in games; he's had Trey Mooney missing.

 “It is mind-blowing how good they've been going for where (they were), like I had them in the bottom two.

“(Greg) Marzhew has gone to another level, Dom Young (has) gone to (another level), Sandon Smith has been great.

“Fletcher Sharpe, I cannot wait to watch him develop. It is so exciting for the Knights.”

The Knights take on the Wests Tigers on Sunday at Campbelltown Stadium.

Kick-off is at 4:05pm AEST.