The nib Newcastle Knights are blessed with options for 2020.
In the lead-up to the new season, newcastleknights.com.au will look over the depth of the Club and break down the positional options at the disposal of Coach Adam O’Brien.
Today, we take a look at the No.9 options.
Note: These depth charts are the opinion of newcastleknights.com.au and have no input from the coaching staff.
Jayden Brailey
The 23-year-old has all the traits of a quality No.9.
Back in 2016, Brailey was named Holden Cup Player of the Year before making his debut the following season, taking the place of Cronulla premiership winner Michael Ennis.
He prides himself in quality service to his halves, so look for Mitchell Pearce to be getting clean and early ball.
A tireless worker in the middle, Brailey has also been developing his kicking game which will no doubt, continue to evolve.
Joining the Knights on a three-year-deal, Brailey is odds on to get the first crack at the role.
Watch: One on one with Mitchell Pearce
Connor Watson
The 23-year-old really impressed in the seven games he played as the dummy-half adding energy to the Knights pack and had a number of strong defensive performances.
With Brailey arriving to the Club now, Watson will most likely find himself wearing the No.14 jersey and coming off the bench to give the Knights an attacking boost out of dummy-half.
Watson has the opportunity to make the bench spot his own as he can cover a number of positions.
He’s a luxury to have on the team so look for Watson to have a huge season in 2020.
Kurt Mann
Mann is the type of player every Club wants on their team.
He’s a versatile player and as a result, covered almost every position on the park in 2019.
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The Club signed the 26-year-old last season as a cover for the hooker position.
While he’s unlikely to start the year in the hooking role, he offers plenty as a bench option, although coach Adam O’Brien may opt to designate Mann to one role in 2020.
The options are endless.
Luke Huth
Huth was named the 2019 Jersey Flegg player of the year for the Knights.
An exciting young talent, the Newcastle junior really impressed last season leading the Jersey Flegg league in try assists before a hand injury ended his year early.
He’s an intelligent player out of dummy-half and is as tough as they come in defense.
The 20-year-old has huge wraps on him from many experts, so look for him to continue his development and push for a potential NRL debut should injury hit the team.
Chris Randall
Currently on a train and trial deal, the Canterbury Cup No.9 was on a Development Contract in 2019 and could well earn one ahead of the 2020 season.
A crafty rake with a motor, Randall was a standout in the reserve grade side last season and has done plenty right so far this pre-season.
