Back-to-back finals appearances in 2020/2021 and an exciting young squad are good signs for the Knights entering the new season.
But they could live to regret the departure of Mitchell Pearce – a great competitor who knows what it takes to win tight games.
His absence will place even more pressure on the brilliant Kalyn Ponga.
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2021 finishing position: 7th
Gains: Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs), Adam Clune (Dragons).
Losses: Mitchell Pearce (Catalans), Connor Watson (Roosters), Josh King (Storm), Gehamat Shibasaki (Japanese rugby), Blake Green (retired), Starford To’a (Wests Tigers)
Best 17: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. David Klemmer 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Mitchell Barnett. Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Brodie Jones.
Greatest strength: The strike power of Ponga, Bradman Best and new signing Dane Gagai out wide. A team capable of racking up big scores on their day.
Biggest question mark: The untried halves combination of Jake Clifford and Adam Clune. Both are light on first grade experience and will have the heat put on them by rival defences.
Man under pressure: Ponga, Ponga and Ponga. There are few more exciting players in the premiership – but can he get the Knights to the promised land of the finals again?
Biggest loss: Pearce wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the Knights were batting at only 50 per cent without him and he had the ability to take some of the heat off Ponga.
Predicted 2022 finishing position: 10th
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