The nib Newcastle Knights have a number of players approaching important career milestones in 2020.
If you're struggling to keep track, newcastleknights.com.au has compiled a list of every player approaching a milestone this season, as well as when they're expected to hit it.
Kalyn Ponga
Needs one game to reach 50 career games.
Without doubt one of the faces of the NRL, it’s hard to believe Ponga hasn’t yet hit the 50-game mark yet.
Injuries in 2018 limited his appearances, and he was eased into first grade in his two seasons at North Queensland, playing just nine games.
However, come Round One in 2020, Ponga will finally run out for his 50th match in the NRL.
Herman Ese’ese
Needs nine games to reach 50 games for the Knights.
Arriving at the Knights in 2018, Ese’ese has enjoyed a solid two years in the red and blue.
Playing almost every game in 2018 and adding a further 18 apperances last season, the 25-year-old should hit the 50-game mark in Round Nine, should injury not keep him out of action.
Aidan Guerra
Needs 10 more games for 200 career games.
Needs 14 more games for 50 games for the Knights.
With Origins and premierships to his name, Aidan Guerra has enjoyed a career most could only dream of having since he burst onto the scene in 2010 as the Sydney Roosters.
While he played the bulk of his career games during his eight seasons at the Roosters, there’s no doubt Guerra is a Knight through and through now.
The mobile backrower is just ten games off notching 200 in his career and should reach is 50th game in red and blue just four rounds later.
Connor Watson
Needs 26 more games for 100 career games.
Needs 14 more games for 50 games for the Knights.
Growing up as a Knights fan, it’s only fitting that Connor Watson will likely notch his 50th game as a Newcastle Knight this season.
Since moving up the M1 from the Roosters at the start of last season, Watson has been one of the Knights most consistent players and should reach the 50-game mark mid-season.
Should they make the finals this season, there is a chance he could also notch is 100th career game.
Daniel Saifiti
Needs 15 more games for 100 career games.
One of the best front rowers in the competition, Saifiti has barely missed a game since coming in to first grade in 2016.
The result of his consistency has been an Origin jersey in his closet, with the possibility of bringing up 100 games in just his fifth season.
Saifiti should hit the mark mid-season, injury withstanding.
David Klemmer
Needs 16 more games for 150 career games.
Arriving in Newcastle last year, Klemmer has been one of the Knights best players.
Klemmer has been in the game for seven seasons, and could bring up his 150th game in the middle of the year, should he avoid injury.
It’s a stunning feat considering how hard Klemmer plays the game.
Tim Glasby
Needs 19 more games for 150 career games.
The former Melbourne Storm forward has brought his form with him to Newcastle, where he has so far added 21 appearances to the 110 he made south of the border.
Should Glasby stay injury free as he has for most of his career, he should notch his 150th game late in 2020.
Mason Lino
Needs 21 more games for 50 career games.
After only notching 17 games during his three seasons across the ditch at the Warriors, Lino finally found a home in the Knights No.6 jersey last year.
The sharpshooter isn’t far away from his first milestone and could notch it late in the 2020 season if he plays close to every game.
Mitch Barnett
Needs 23 more for 100 career games.
The 2017 and 2019 Danny Buderus Medal winner has had to work hard to achieve his milestones.
Barnett solidified himself as one of the Knights best and most hard working players in 2019, and is on track to cross the well-deserved 100 game barrier should he stay injury free in 2020.
Mitchell Pearce
Needs 24 more games for 300 career games.
Pearce was the youngest ever player to play 200 matches, and he is showing no signs of slowing down.
Pearce played 23 games in 2019, leaving him 24 short of becoming the next player to join the 300 club. Should he stay injury free, Pearce could cross the line in the final round of 2020.
