Top Five Knights Moments from 2020
2020 was a long, entertaining and at-times tough season.
However, there was some terrific moments to come out of the season that will live on in our memories for years to come.
Here's our top five, and don't forget to have your say at the bottom of the page.
Danny Buderus Medal 2020 highlights
Keeping the Warriors to zero in Rd1
There was plenty of anticipation heading into the first round of 2020, which also marked Adam O’Brien’s first game in charge of his side.
The squad was coming off a pre-season focused on defence, and the boys were keen to prove themselves and make a statement to the rest of the competition.
Despite the driving rain and huge distraction of a rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, the Knights didn’t concede a point in the 20-0 demolition of the Warriors.
However, defence wasn’t the only area the boys impressed in.
Tries to Kalyn Ponga, Edrick Lee and Daniel Saifiti showed fans the Knights attack shouldn’t to be taken lightly in 2020.
Match Highlights: Knights win in the wet
Baby Knights hold Minor Premiers
Following a COVID-shutdown which seemed to last forever, the Knights finally returned to the park against eventual-Minor Premiers Penrith.
Already without Kalyn Ponga due to suspension, things got off to an awful start for the red and blue with Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson going down with serious injuries in the opening ten minutes.
Add in a 14-0 deficit approaching half-time, and it seemed a long way back for the Knights.
However, a stunning turnaround and two tries to Bradman Best saw the Knights draw level at 14-14 in the second half, and even ten minutes of golden point couldn’t separate the two sides.
Joey Johns labelled the performance “one of the most courageous performances I’ve ever seen from a Knights team.”
Match Highlights: Nothing to separate Knights and Panthers
Shocking the Green Machine in Campbelltown
Full of confidence after the draw with Penrith, and buoyed by the return of Ponga and Pearce, the Knights were full of confidence against 2019’s Grand Finalists.
Ponga took control of the contest in the early stages, putting Bradman Best over in the early stages and scoring a stunning try himself later in the half.
A second-half double to Edrick Lee had the Knights 28-6 up and playing some champagne rugby league.
The Knights survived a late fight back to win 34-18 and stay unbeaten in 2020.
Match Highlights: Knights crush Raiders
Tuala scores two to grab come-back win over rivals
It doesn’t get much better than beating the arch rivals on a Sunday afternoon.
However, this game wasn’t without a few scares.
Manly raced to an early 12-0 lead, before tries to Kurt Mann, Enari Tuala and Starford To’a put the Knights ahead at the change of ends.
The second half saw the both sides rally at stages, however Manly managed to re-gain the lead with the clock ticking down.
Up stepped Kalyn Ponga.
The dynamic No.1 pulled off a bullet cut out ball to a flying Tuala, who reached out for his second try and secured their second win over the Sea Eagles for the season.
Highlights: Knights grasp nail-biting victory over Sea Eagles
Kingy nabs his first career try…and seals finals footy
One of the more heart-warming moments of our year, with Josh King finally breaking his duck after nearly 60 games in the NRL.
The try came at the back end of our big win over Cronulla in round 17, with the big man mobbed by his teammates and evoking a big celebration out of the coach’s box.
The win held some extra significance, with the two points sealing a return to finals footy after seven years in the rugby league wilderness.
King: First career try, building confidence, looking forward
