2009 Newcastle Knights season
Introduction The '''2009 Newcastle Knights season''' was the 22nd in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2009 Telstra Premiership and finished the regular season 7th (out of 16), reaching the play-offs for the first time since 2006.The Knights were then knocked out of the finals in the first week by the Bulldogs.
Season summary The Knights won 9 consecutive games at EnergyAustralia Stadium, breaking the previous home record of 8.Season 2009 also saw coach Brian Smith sacked after announcing on July 19 that he had signed a four-year deal with the Sydney Roosters, and subsequently the team faltered as they lost three consecutive games until Newcastle officials dismissed Smith and appointed assistant coach Rick Stone. The season began well for the Knights with the side winning 7 of their opening 10 games and were sitting equal first with the Bulldogs, St. George Illawarra and the Gold Coast with 14 points. However, during the representative season, the Knights struggled and went through a bad period of 7 losses in 11 games, the last three losses were recorded after news broke of Smith's departure from the club. With Stone in charge, the Knights won 3 of their last 4 games to secure 7th place and a finals berth for the first time since 2006.
Match results RoundOpponentResultScoreVenueDateCrowd1 Gold Coast TitansLost20-34Skilled ParkSunday, March 1516,2032 Cronulla SharksWon24-12Toyota StadiumMonday, March 2311,1483 South Sydney RabbitohsLost12-22Bluetongue StadiumSunday, March 2915,2274 Manly Sea EaglesWon26-12EnergyAustralia StadiumSunday, April 515,3245 New Zealand WarriorsWon24-22EnergyAustralia StadiumSunday, April 1213,6266 St. George Illawarra DragonsWon24-18WIN Jubilee StadiumSaturday, April 1814,4777 Wests TigersLost24-26Campbelltown StadiumSunday, April 2617,8988 Brisbane BroncosWon28-12EnergyAustralia StadiumSaturday, May 218,1549 Gold Coast TitansWon23-18EnergyAustralia StadiumSunday, May 1011,25810 Sydney RoostersWon38-6Sydney Football StadiumSaturday, May 168,61111 North Queensland CowboysLost10-36Dairy Farmers StadiumMonday, May 2511,89212 BulldogsWon22-14EnergyAustralia StadiumSunday, May 3118,32213 Parramatta EelsLost18-20EnergyAustralia StadiumSunday, June 718,08514 New Zealand WarriorsLost0-13Mt. Smart StadiumFriday, June 1214,2551516 South Sydney RabbitohsWon25-20EnergyAustralia StadiumMonday, June 2914,20417 Melbourne StormLost14-18Olympic ParkSaturday, July 49,04118 Canberra RaidersWon23-4EnergyAustralia StadiumSaturday, July 1115,3551920 Manly Sea EaglesLost20-44Bluetongue StadiumFriday, July 2415,85721 Sydney RoostersLost18-30EnergyAustralia StadiumSaturday, August 115,11222 Parramatta EelsLost8-40Parramatta StadiumSunday, August 917,66923 Melbourne StormWon26-14EnergyAustralia StadiumMonday, August 1713,58024 North Queensland CowboysWon32-26EnergyAustralia StadiumSaturday, August 2215,40825 Canberra RaidersLost14-30Canberra StadiumMonday, August 319,40026 Penrith PanthersWon35-0EnergyAustralia StadiumSunday, September 622,152QF BulldogsLost12-26ANZ StadiumSaturday, September 1221,369
NRL Standings
2009 Squad  Newcastle Knights 2009 Full-time Squad  Player  Position DOB (Age) Height Weight Junior Club Previous Club(s)Cameron CiraldoSecond Row, Lock30/10/1984 (24)197 cm103 kgMenaiCronulla SharksBen CrossProp06/12/1978 (30)190 cm110 kgBatemans BayCanberra Raiders, Melbourne StormIsaac de GoisHooker24/12/1984 (24)180 cm85 kgAll Saints LiverpoolCronulla Sharks, Wests TigersScott DureauHalfback29/07/1986 (23)173 cm82 kgPort Macquarie SharksNilJoel EdwardsProp, Second RowCessnock GoannasNilRichard Fa'aosoProp, Second Row08/05/1984 (25)182 cm104 kgNorth AspleyPenrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta EelsJimmy FawcettFullback21/04/1988 (21)191 cm86 kgUmina BunniesCanterbury BulldogsKurt Gidley (C) (GK)Fullback, 5/807/07/1982 (27)178 cm89 kgWests NewcastleNilMatt HilderLock, Hooker30/04/1982 (27)184 cm94 kgCronulla CaringbahCronulla Sharks, Gold Coast TitansChris HoustonSecond Row, Lock15/02/1985 (24)193 cm106 kgNaroomaSt George Illawarra DragonsMarvin KarawanaHooker, Lock30/07/1986 (23)181 cm98 kgWainui LionsCanterbury BulldogsKeith LuliaCentre, Wing17/06/1987 (22)190 cm97 kgPort KemblaSt George Illawarra DragonsAdam MacDougallCentre, Wing08/05/1975 (34)183 cm95 kgHarbord DiggersSydney Roosters, South SydneyLuke MacDougallCentre, Wing05/02/1982 (27)183 cm94 kgCronulla CaringbahCronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs, St George Illawarra DragonsShannon McDonnellFullback, WingWests TigersJames McManusWing, Centre15/01/1986 (24)186 cm91 kgPalmerston RaidersNilConstantine MikaSecond Row, Lock14/09/1989 (19)183 cm98 kgNew Zealand WarriorsJarrod Mullen5/8, Halfback09/04/1987 (22)179 cm88 kgTaree Panthers, Wests Newcastle, Old Bar PiratesNilWes NaiqamaCentre, Wing, Fullback19/10/1982 (26)184 cm95 kgArncliffe ScotsSt George Illawarra DragonsTim NatuschProp03/07/1986 (23)184 cm108 kgWellington (NZ)NilGeorge NdairaHooker22/02/1985 (23)175 cm88 kgArncliffe ScotsSt George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney RabbitohsCory PatersonSecond Row, Lock14/07/1987 (22)195 cm107 kgSouth Perth LionsNilBen Rogers5/8, Lock26/04/1985 (24)184 cm92 kgSt DominicsSt George Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith PanthersJunior Sa'uCentre18/04/1987 (22)173 cm102 kgLogan BrothersCanberra RaidersSteve SimpsonSecond Row27/09/1979 (29)191 cm103 kgSingleton GreyhoundsNilZeb TaiaLock, Second Row11/10/1984 (24)185 cm106 kgSt Clair CometsParramatta EelsMark TaufuaSecond Row, Prop24/10/1981 (27)187 cm104 kgWoodberry WarriorsNilDaniel TolarProp, Second Row11/04/1982 (27)188 cm103 kgCentral CharlestownNilSione TovoProp19/07/1988 (21)178 cm110 kgMascot JetsSouth Sydney RabbitohsAkuila UateWing6/10/1987 (21)185 cm94 kgWoy WoyNilCooper VunaWing, Centre05/07/1987 (22)194 cm103 kgOtahuhu LeopardsNew Zealand WarriorsDanny WicksProp05/12/1985 (23)190 cm124 kgGrafton GhostsSt George Illawarra Dragons
Sources * NRL Draw* NRL Ladder*http://www.newcastleknights.com.au