Kurt Gidley

When you look up the word versatile in the dictionary, you might find the definition; able to adapt or be adapted to many different  functions or activities.

Or you could find a living, breathing example.

Kurt Gidley was such player and was willing to adapt to any situation for the team's benefit.

That's why he was so respected by teammates and a player everyone wanted beside them in the field of battle.

Gidley made his debut for the Newcastle Knights in the premiership-winning year of 2001.

He would only play the one regular season game during the campaign, but would take on board the memorable experience.

In 2002, Kurt established himself in the top grade playing in 17 games across many positions.

From then on, the Western Suburbs junior rarely missed a game.

Gidley had a breakout season in 2004 having been selected as 18th man for the NSW Blues and made history by sealing the Knights first-ever golden point win with a field goal against the Brisbane Broncos.

His game would continually develop leading to representative honours.

Gidley made his NSW debut in 2007 and would make 12 appearances in the Blues jersey during his career.

A highly respected leader, the utility also captained his state on six occasions.

Kurt would also pull on the green and gold 12 times including in the 2008 World Cup and Four Nations series of 2009 and 2010.

For the Knights, Gidley would wear the red and blue 251 times during an illustrious career.

The utility was also named captain of his beloved Club right up until he called time on his Knights journey.

'Gids' called time on his NRL career at the end of 2015 having made the second-most appearances for the Knights in the Club's history.

He finished his career with Warrington Wolves in the Super League.

Driven by a tremendous work-ethic, Gidley forged one of the all-time great careers representing his hometown, state and country.