How Have The Newcastle Knights Gone From Wooden Spooners To The NRL Grand Final?
Twelve months ago, Newcastle were wooden spooners and now they are preparing to play in an NRL Grand Final.
Even typing that feels absolutely ridiculous because I don't think anyone could have predicted how quickly this turnaround would happen. But the more I've watched Newcastle throughout this season, the more convinced I've become that this isn't simply a team that got hot at the right time.
Justin Holbrook has completely changed the environment at the Knights, Kalyn Ponga has developed into the leader they needed him to become, and the players coming into this side aren't just filling gaps anymore.
Justin Holbrook Has Changed Newcastle's Expectations
There are plenty of ways you can measure the job Holbrook has done, but I think the best one is looking at what happens when Newcastle lose players.
Normally when you're forced deep into your squad, you're just hoping the replacement can do a job. Give me a six out of ten performance, don't make too many mistakes and let the established players around you carry the load but that's not what we're seeing at Newcastle.
Sandon Smith has come into this side and produced a huge performance in a preliminary final while Matt Croker has stepped up through the middle. Even the young forwards have been asked to take on responsibilities they probably weren't expecting to have at this stage of their careers because of injuries to starters.
It speaks to a system that players understand and believe in and the fact that Holbrook hasn't built a Newcastle side dependent on having its perfect 17 available every week. He's created something where the next player coming in knows exactly what his job is and has the confidence to actually make an impact.
Kalyn Ponga Has Become Newcastle's Leader
I've always known how talented Kalyn Ponga is but what has surprised me this year is the development in his leadership.
There has been a massive change in his maturity over the past 12 months and I think we've seen another level from him as Newcastle's season has become more difficult, as injuries have mounted and the pressure has increased. Ponga hasn't disappeared into himself or simply waited for the ball so he can produce something special, he has actually taken responsibility for this team.
That doesn't mean everything Newcastle do revolves around Ponga either, which might actually be part of why they're now so dangerous. Fletcher Sharpe has taken on more responsibility, Smith has stepped into the halves and their young forwards continue to give Newcastle something through the middle.
Newcastle Have Built Genuine Belief
Their preliminary final win probably summed the whole thing up. The Knights spent a huge chunk of that game with 12 men and somehow reached a point where they looked like the fitter side. Considering the opponent and what was at stake, it was one of the most impressive Newcastle performances I can remember.
That sort of win doesn't happen purely because you've got talented players. There has to be belief in what you're doing and trust in the bloke next to you, particularly when everything that could go against you seems to be happening.
That's probably the biggest difference between Newcastle now and the team we were talking about 12 months ago. Newcastle haven't simply gone from last place to a Grand Final because a couple of players improved. Holbrook has changed the system, Ponga has grown into the captaincy and a group of players who probably weren't supposed to be playing such important roles have continually stood up when Newcastle needed them.
Whether they finish the job against the Roosters is another question but going from the wooden spoon to an NRL Grand Final in the space of one season is already one of the most remarkable turnarounds we've seen in a long time.