# 2014 Newcastle Knights season

The 2014 Newcastle Knights season was the 27th in the club's history. Coached by Wayne Bennett and captained by Kurt Gidley, they competed in the NRL's 2014 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 12th place (out of 16).

## Milestones

* Round 1: Michael Dobson made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Hull Kingston Rovers.
* Round 2: Matt Minto made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 4: Darius Boyd played his 50th game for the club.
* Round 6: Adam Clydsdale scored his 1st career try.
* Round 6: Tyrone Roberts kicked his 100th goal for the club, which was also his 100th career goal.
* Round 7: Jake Mamo made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 7: Korbin Sims scored his 1st career try.
* Round 8: Dane Gagai played his 50th career game.
* Round 9: Joseph Tapine made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 9: Paterika Vaivai made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 13: Darius Boyd played his 200th career game.
* Round 13: Akuila Uate scored his 92nd career try, breaking Timana Tahu's record of 91 tries as the highest ever try-scorer for the Knights.
* Round 14: Jake Mamo scored his 1st career try.
* Round 14: Willie Mason played his 50th game for the club.
* Round 14: Robbie Rochow played his 50th career game.
* Round 16: Dane Gagai played his 50th game for the club.
* Round 16: Robbie Rochow played his 50th game for the club.
* Round 18: Wayne Bennett coached his 700th career game.
* Round 20: Dane Gagai kicked his 1st career goal.
* Round 20: Chanel Mata'utia made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 20: Sione Mata'utia made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 20: Kade Snowden played his 150th career game.
* Round 22: Chris Houston played his 150th career game.
* Round 22: Chanel Mata'utia scored his 1st career try.
* Round 22: Travis Waddell scored his 1st try for the club.
* Round 23: Adam Cuthbertson played his 50th game for the club.
* Round 23: Sione Mata'utia scored his 1st career try.
* Round 25: Kurt Gidley captained his 100th game for the club.
* Round 25: Tyler Randell made his NRL debut for the club.
* Round 26: Joseph Leilua played his 100th career game.

## Transfers and Re-signings
### Gains

| Player/Coach | Previous Club | Length |
| Michael Dobson | Hull Kingston Rovers | 2014 |
| Marvin Filipo | Limoux Grizzlies | 2014 |
| Sam Mataora | Canberra Raiders | 2014 |
| Matt Minto | Mackay Cutters | 2014 |
| Clint Newton | Penrith Panthers | 2014 |
| Russell Packer | New Zealand Warriors | 2017 |
| Nathan Ross | Kurri Kurri Bulldogs | 2014 |
| James Taylor | New Zealand Warriors | 2016 |
| Travis Waddell | Souths Logan Magpies | 2014 |
| Brayden Wiliame | Parramatta Eels | 2014 |

### Losses

| Player/Coach | Club |
| Chris Adams | Cessnock Goannas |
| Danny Buderus | Retirement |
| Neville Costigan | Hull Kingston Rovers |
| Adrian Davis | Redcliffe Dolphins |
| Mitchell Frei | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| Craig Gower | Retirement |
| Jackson Hill | Penrith Panthers |
| Siuatonga Likiliki | Gold Coast Titans |
| Rodney Mason | Central Newcastle Butcher Boys |
| Peter Mata'utia | St. George Illawarra Dragons |
| Kevin Naiqama | Penrith Panthers |
| Ben Roose | Kurri Kurri Bulldogs |
| Will Smith | Penrith Panthers |
| Ryan Stig | Retirement |

### Promoted juniors

| Player | Junior side |
| Joe Boyce | Knights National Youth Competition |
| Bryce Donovan | Knights National Youth Competition |
| Brenton Horwood | Knights New South Wales Cup |
| Jake Mamo | Knights National Youth Competition |
| Sione Mata'utia | Knights National Youth Competition |
| Joseph Tapine | Knights National Youth Competition |
| Ben Tupou | Knights New South Wales Cup |

### Re-signings

| Player/Coach | Re-signed to |
| Bryce Donovan | 2015 |
| David Fa'alogo | 2015 |
| Marvin Filipo | 2015 |
| Chris Houston | 2016 |
| Joseph Leilua | 2016 |
| Danny Levi | 2017 |
| Sam Mataora | 2017 |
| Chanel Mata'utia | 2015 |
| Clint Newton | 2015 |
| Jarrod Mullen | 2018 |
| Chad Redman | 2015 |
| Tyrone Roberts | 2016 |
| Nathan Ross | 2016 |
| Beau Scott | 2017 |
| Ben Tupou | 2015 |
| Paterika Vaivai | 2016 |

### Player contract situations

| 2014 (left) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| Joe Boyce | Bryce Donovan | Adam Clydsdale | Sam Mataora | Jarrod Mullen |
| Darius Boyd | David Fa'alogo | Chris Houston | Beau Scott | |
| Adam Cuthbertson | Marvin Filipo | Joseph Leilua | Akuila Uate | |
| Michael Dobson | Dane Gagai | James McManus | | |
| Matt Hilder | Kurt Gidley | Tyrone Roberts | | |
| Brenton Horwood | Jake Mamo | Robbie Rochow | | |
| Toka Likiliki | Chanel Mata'utia | Nathan Ross | | |
| Josh Mantellato | Pat Mata'utia | Joseph Tapine | | |
| Willie Mason | Sione Mata'utia | James Taylor | | |
| Alex McKinnon | Clint Newton | Paterika Vaivai | | |
| Matt Minto | Tyler Randell | | | |
| Russell Packer | Chad Redman | | | |
| Anthony Quinn | Korbin Sims | | | |
| Timana Tahu | Jeremy Smith | | | |
| Zane Tetevano | Kade Snowden | | | |
| Travis Waddell | Ben Tupou | | | |
| Brayden Wiliame | | | | |

## Ladder

2014 NRL seasonvte :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| 1 | Sydney Roosters | 24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 615 | 385 | +230 | 36 |
| 2 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 502 | 399 | +103 | 36 |
| 3 | South Sydney Rabbitohs (P) | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 585 | 361 | +224 | 34 |
| 4 | Penrith Panthers | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 506 | 426 | +80 | 34 |
| 5 | North Queensland Cowboys | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 596 | 406 | +190 | 32 |
| 6 | Melbourne Storm | 24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 536 | 460 | +76 | 32 |
| 7 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 446 | 439 | +7 | 30 |
| 8 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 549 | 456 | +93 | 28 |
| 9 | New Zealand Warriors | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 571 | 491 | +80 | 28 |
| 10 | Parramatta Eels | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 477 | 580 | −103 | 28 |
| 11 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 469 | 528 | −59 | 26 |
| 12 | Newcastle Knights | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 463 | 571 | −108 | 24 |
| 13 | Wests Tigers | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 420 | 631 | −211 | 24 |
| 14 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 372 | 538 | −166 | 22 |
| 15 | Canberra Raiders | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 466 | 623 | −157 | 20 |
| 16 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 334 | 613 | −279 | 14 |

## Jerseys and sponsors

In 2014, the Knights' jerseys were made by ISC and their major sponsor was Hunter Ports.
| 2014 Home Jersey | 2014 Away Jersey | 2014 Close the Gap Jersey | 2014 NSW Mining Jersey | 2014 Women In League Jersey |

## Fixtures
### Pre-season trials

| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance |
| Saturday, 8 February | Trial 1 | First Nations Goannas | Hunter Stadium | 52 – 12 | J.Mamo (3), J.Tapine (2), A.McKinnon, K.Sims, S.Mata'utia, J.Mantellato, M.Minto | J.Mantellato (6/10) | 6,826 |
| Saturday, 22 February | Trial 2 | Canberra Raiders | Scully Park | 34 – 14 | J.McManus, A.Uate, J.Leilua, C.Redman, J.Mamo, K.Gidley | T.Roberts (2/2), M.Dobson (3/4) | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw ||||||||

### Auckland Nines

Squad: 1. Adam Cuthbertson 2. Jake Mamo 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen (c) 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Willie Mason 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Chris Houston 11. Beau Scott 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Jeremy Smith 14. Michael Dobson 15. Alex McKinnon 16. Zane Tetevano
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Score | Tries | Drop Goal Conversions | Attendance |
| Saturday, 15 February | Auckland Nines Game 1 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Eden Park | 12 – 15 | T.Roberts, J.Leilua | J.Mullen (2/2) | 89,003 |
| Saturday, 15 February | Auckland Nines Game 10 | Gold Coast Titans | Eden Park | 25 – 14 | J.Leilua (3), J.Smith, J.Mamo | J.Mullen (2/5) | 89,003 |
| Sunday, 16 February | Auckland Nines Game 18 | Wests Tigers | Eden Park | 25 – 0 | J.Mamo, T.Roberts, C.Houston, W.Mason, D.Gagai | J.Mullen (2/5) | 89,003 |
| Sunday, 16 February | Auckland Nines Quarter-Final 1 | Brisbane Broncos | Eden Park | 11 – 16 | J.Mullen, A.McKinnon | T.Roberts (1/2) | 89,003 |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw ||||||||

### Regular season

2014 Regular season fixtures

## Statistics

| Name | Appearances | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points | Captain | Age |
| Darius Boyd | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 27 |
| Adam Clydsdale | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 21 |
| Adam Cuthbertson | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Michael Dobson | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| David Fa'alogo | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Dane Gagai | 24 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 23 |
| Kurt Gidley | 23 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 86 | 23 | 32 |
| Chris Houston | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 29 |
| Joseph Leilua | 22 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 23 |
| Jake Mamo | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 20 |
| Josh Mantellato | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 27 |
| Willie Mason | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34 |
| Chanel Mata'utia | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 22 |
| Sione Mata'utia | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 18 |
| Alex McKinnon | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| James McManus | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 28 |
| Matt Minto | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Jarrod Mullen | 16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 27 |
| Clint Newton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Tyler Randell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Tyrone Roberts | 24 | 9 | 20 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 23 |
| Robbie Rochow | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 24 |
| Beau Scott | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 30 |
| Korbin Sims | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 22 |
| Jeremy Smith | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 34 |
| Kade Snowden | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Timana Tahu | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 34 |
| Joseph Tapine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Zane Tetevano | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Akuila Uate | 15 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 27 |
| Paterika Vaivai | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
| Travis Waddell | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 25 |
| Totals | 24 | 84 | 63 | 1 | 463 | - | Average: 26 |
32 players used.
Source:

## Representative honours

The following players appeared in a representative match in 2014.
Australia
* Darius Boyd
* Kurt Gidley (train-on squad)
* Willie Mason (train-on squad)
* Sione Mata'utia
* Beau Scott
Australian Schoolboys
* Jack Cogger
* Brock Lamb
* Braden Robson
Fiji
* Korbin Sims
* Rick Stone (coach)
Junior Kangaroos
* Jake Mamo
* Sione Mata'utia (train-on squad)
Junior Kiwis
* Danny Levi
* Chance Peni
* Pride Petterson-Robati (train-on squad)
* Joseph Tapine
* James Taylor (train-on squad)
Lebanon
* James Elias
New South Wales
* James McManus
* Beau Scott
New South Wales Country
* James McManus
* Jarrod Mullen
* Tyrone Roberts
* Robbie Rochow
* Beau Scott (captain)
New South Wales Residents
* Chanel Mata'utia
* Tyler Randell
New South Wales under-16s
* Matt Cooper
* Kurtis Dark
* Brodie Jones
* Brendan O'Hagan
* Tom Starling
New South Wales under-18s
* Sione Mata'utia
New South Wales under-20s
* Jake Mamo
* Sione Mata'utia
Prime Minister's XIII
* Sione Mata'utia
* Beau Scott
Queensland
* Darius Boyd
Queensland under-20s
* Jaelen Feeney
Samoa
* David Fa'alogo (captain)
* Joseph Leilua
* Chanel Mata'utia (train-on squad)
* Sione Mata'utia (train-on squad)

## Individual honours
### Teams and squads

National Youth Competition (NYC) Team of the Year
* Mick Crawley (coach)
* Danny Levi
* Jake Mamo
* Sione Mata'utia
* Joseph Tapine
New South Wales Cup Team of the Year
* Michael Dobson
* Josh Mantellato
* Tyler Randell
* Nathan Ross
Queensland Academy of Sport Emerging Origin Squad
* Dane Gagai
* Korbin Sims
Queensland Academy of Sport Under-20s Emerging Origin Squad
* Jaelen Feeney
New South Wales Under-20s Origin Pathways Camp
* Jake Mamo
* Sione Mata'utia

### Dally M awards

Dally M Second Rower of the Year
* Beau Scott

### Newcastle Knights awards
#### Player of the Year

* National Rugby League (NRL) Player of the Year: Beau Scott
* New South Wales Cup Player of the Year: Paterika Vaivai
* National Youth Competition (NYC) Player of the Year: Sione Mata'utia

#### Players' Player

* National Rugby League (NRL) Players' Player: Kurt Gidley
* New South Wales Cup Players' Player: Chad Redman
* National Youth Competition (NYC) Players' Player: Luke Yates

#### Coach's Award

* National Rugby League (NRL) Coach's Award: Alex McKinnon & Beau Scott
* New South Wales Cup Coach's Award: Tyler Randell
* National Youth Competition (NYC) Coach's Award: Lachlan Fitzgibbon

#### Brian Carlson Club-Andrew Johns Medal

* Jack Cogger