In recent seasons, Newcastle's goal was simply to play finals football. But in the wake of the Knights' stunning run in the second half of last season and the improvements to their roster, they are well and truly shooting for a top four spot this time around. The team that went missing midway through 2023 with seven losses in nine games roared into September like a freight train, winning 10 games straight - knocking off some big scalps along the way. Add classy English imports Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors) and Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), premiership-winning half Jack Cogger (Panthers) and busy forward Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs) and the Knights appear to have all bases covered. The big question mark - and it could decide how far the Knights go in 2024 - is who will play in the halves. Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings did a great job last season but Cogger is also a class act who will push for a spot in the starting team. It leaves coach Adam O'Brien with a pleasant headache, and throw in Phoenix Crossland - a half who was converted to hooker last year when Jayden Brailey was injured - and the club has an embarrassment of riches in the playmaking stakes. The only significant losses are tryscoring ace Dominic Young (Roosters) and experienced forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington Wolves). But their departures have been covered with the recruitment of speedy winger Tom Jenkins (Panthers) and Cartwright.
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