NRLW Knights squad analysis and best 17
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Newcastle will go into their second NRLW campaign hoping a new-look squad featuring some big household names can bring plenty of excitement to the Hunter this season.
How quickly their star recruits gel will dictate how far they go in the 2022 season but given the recruitment drive that's taken place, you'd expected the Knights to be the biggest improvers from earlier this year.
The Knights have 17 new faces in their 24-player squad, headlined by star signings Millie Boyle, Tamika Upton and Hannah Southwell, who are all previous NRLW premiership winners.
Seven players are returning to the club including inaugural captain Romy Teitzel, NSW five-eighth Kirra Dibb and local product Caitlan Johnston, ensuring the side has kept quality across the park.
The Knights never won a game in their inaugural season but under new coach Ronnie Griffiths and with the calibre of players on paper, you get the feeling it wont take long for them to secure the club's first-ever victory.
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Possible best 17
1. Tamika Upton, 2. Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, 3. Emma Paki, 4. Bobbi Law, 5. Shanice Parker, 6. Kirra Dibb, 7. Caitlin Moran, 8. Millie Boyle, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Caitlan Johnston, 11. Romy Teitzel, 12. Yasmin Clydsdale, 13. Hannah Southwell, 14 . Jesse Southwell, 15. Tayla Predebon, 16. Kyra Simon, 17. Simone Karpani
Biggest strength
Newcastle’s forward pack tried hard but struggled last season with Origin representatives Millie Boyle, Caitlan Johnston, Yasmin Clydsdale and Hannah Southwell set to bolster the engine room.
The quartet will offer a genuine platform for the side’s playmakers, which should bring the likes of Kirra Dibb, Caitlin Moran and Jesse Southwell into the game.
Add in Tayla Predebon and Kyra Simon off the bench and the Knights have a handy rotation, which appears to be their best strength going into the second season.
Biggest question mark
The outside backs that played for the Knights were exposed on the edges last season and will again come under the microscope this year with a relatively new backline.
Tamika Upton is the obvious star at the fullback but will need help from players like centre Bobbi Law, who enters her third NRLW campaign, and Shanice Parker and Kiana Takairangi, who haven’t played at the elite level for over 18 months.
Coming up with a consistent halves pairing will also be a call Ron Griffiths will have to make with Kirra Dibb coming off an impressive Origin game.
A possible partner at halfback could be returning former Jillaroo Caitlin Moran or young gun Jesse Southwell.
Southwell is coming off Commonwealth Games success with the Australian rugby sevens side and at 17 has massive raps on her.
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Draw snapshot
The Knights will start their season on August 21 in a blockbuster match against the Broncos in a club double header at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The newly created 6:10pm timeslot on a Sunday night should be a hit for fans who attended the men’s match between the Knights and Raiders early on, with plenty expected to stick around to watch the women start their campaign.
Another highlight in the draw for the Knights will come in will come in round four against defending premiers Sydney Roosters.
The Knights have five premiership-winning Roosters in their squad from last season which should make for an intriguing battle between former teammates.
