The nib Newcastle Knights' recruitment drive has been one of the most impressive this NRL off-season.
The Knights have added nine new players to their roster with over 540 games worth of first-grade experience.
With the squad all but compete for next season, newcastleknights.com.au has broken down what each new player will bring to the Club in 2019.
DAVID KLEMMER
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You know what you're going to get from David Klemmer.
The towering front rower has basically done it all in the game at only 24.
He's now played 17 Tests for Australia and 12 games for New South Wales and you'd expect him to add to those totals in 2019.
The Knights have been searching for an enforcer and have him in Klemmer.
He was the forward leader in running metres per game in 2018 with 181.
On top of those numbers, two or more defenders were needed to take Klemmer down on 99% of his hit-ups last season.
This is an insane statistic and it further shows the immense impact Klemmer will have on this forward pack.
TIM GLASBY
Glasby is a winner.
The 29-year-old has made the NRL finals series every season of his first-grade career and he's won every State of Origin game he's featured in for Queensland.
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Not only will Glasby bring a winning attitude, he's a gritty defender and a quality middle forward.
He's one of the better middle defenders in the NRL and that's a big reason to why he's played representative football.
Glasby will be a very important piece to Knights squad in 2019.
JESSE RAMIEN
It's amazing to think Ramien is only 21.
Ramien tore up the NRL in his first full season for Cronulla and was rewarded with selection in the Prime Minister's XIII and the Emerging Blues squad.
He's a powerful centre and just the strike weapon the Knights wanted to compliment the explosive play of Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce.
He hits like a truck and runs with some real flare. One of the most exciting prospects in the NRL.
JAMES GAVET
He's a big and imposing forward who will bring much needed aggression to this Knights team.
Newcastle now have two of the hardest running props on their side for next season with Klemmer and Gavet.
The 29-year-old plays with no fear and will be a great leader for some of the younger forwards.
EDRICK LEE
Lee is coming off easily his best season in the NRL.
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Still only 26, Lee crossed for 12 tries for the Sharks in 2018.
Standing at 196cm, Lee is a target for attacking kicks and the Knights have one of the best kickers in the NRL in Mitchell Pearce.
Lee will bring hard runs out of trouble and plenty of tries.
KURT MANN
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Mann is a type of player every coach wants on their team.
The 25-year-old can play anywhere in the backline and if everything goes according to the script for Nathan Brown, he'll be able to fill in at hooker as well.
He's one for the most versatile players in the NRL.
MASON LINO
Lino has come to the Knights to cement himself as a regular NRL player.
He's a crafty halfback with a great kicking game and a quality goal kicker.
His determination to play first grade next season which will bring out the best in him and others in the squad.
HYMEL HUNT
Hunt is a quality outside back and it's evident in his play last season.
The 25-year-old played 18 games for South Sydney and found the line seven times.
Seeing Hunt's name on the list of 30 players for the Knights next season just shows the amazing depth the squad will have.
He's a fantastic attacking player.
It'll be hard to leave a player like Hunt out of the side as he brings so much energy and enthusiasm to a team.
He can also slot in at centre, wing and even backrow.
ZAC WOOLFORD
Woolford has been unlucky not to make his NRL debut yet.
Injuries in 2018 stopped that from happening.
He's a hardworking hooker who punches above his weight in defence.
With the knee injury to Slade Griffin, Woolford could well make his debut at some point next season.
