After their amazing late finals run last season and some astute signings, the Knights have a squad ready to make a red-hot go for a top four berth in 2024. If rainmaker Kalyn Ponga can stay healthy for most of the campaign, the team will feed off his attacking brilliance and again be one of the best sides in the NRL to watch. The five new signings - Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors), Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs) and Tom Jenkins (Panthers) - all have talent and should either walk straight into the top 17 or come close to it. The excitement about the two Englishmen is especially high - Pryce looked good in the trials while Pearce-Paul has been held back by a foot injury but comes with huge raps. On the debit side, the Knights have lost some good players, with up to 10 exits, of which Dom Young (Roosters), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington) and Kurt Mann (Bulldogs) will be felt the most. Young was a tryscoring machine and fan favourite in his short time at the club but Panthers flyer Jenkins has been signed to fill that gap. The arrival of Panthers premiership-winner Jack Cogger will put pressure on established halves Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings and it will be interesting to see which way coach Adam O'Brien decides to go with his playmakers. Hooker also shapes as another selection battle, with Jayden Brailey back from injury but being forced to fight for his spot by Phoenix Crossland, who was one of the heroes of the club's late 2023 finals charge. Pearce-Paul can play both centre and second row but with Dane Gagai and the dynamic Bradman Best established in the centres, he will probably find himself in the pack. That leaves Dylan Lucas, who was great when given his chance last year, out in the cold but he will play NRL at some stage of the season.
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