Recently appointed Newcastle coach for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup in 2023, Michael Monaghan, is upbeat about what the Knights can achieve next year.
The former Manly Warringah hooker, who was a member of the 2007 grand final team, has spent the past four years as NRL assistant to Des Hasler at the Sea Eagles.
Then the call came from Knights NRL coach Adam O’Brien to take over the NSW Cup side.
A disrupted NRL season for the Knights led to players being called up to first grade on a regular basis, and eight different players being used in the halves, at fullback and at hooker.
The Knights had a 7-15 win-loss record for 2022 and finished a disappointing tenth, although six of those losses were by four points or less.
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Monaghan’s time at the Sea Eagles was a similar juggling act between the two top grades.
“Unfortunately, that comes with the territory in NSW Cup,” Monaghan told nswrl.com.au
“I’ve obviously seen that from the other end where I’ve been in the first grade coaching system and we’ve needed players towards the end of the week.”
But Monaghan firmly believes better times are ahead for the Knights, especially with the Jersey Flegg Cup side making the 2022 Grand Final before losing a nailbiter 19-18 to Penrith.
“They’ve got their season to start but we’ll gradually move those guys up,” Monaghan said.
“That’s the delicate part of NSW Cup – when to find the right time to bring those kids up.
“We’ve got some training full-time with the NRL squad at the moment. There are about 40 guys in there, so they’ll get benefit of training with NSW Cup and first grade.”
Next project will be the attacking spine for The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup side, which has taken a hit following the exits of Tex Hoy and Jake Clifford to Super League, and Chris Randall to the Gold Coast Titans.
“I’m not too sure at this stage what it will look like in 2023 as the NRL side still has some movement; they have 28 in their top 30, so still some room there,” Monaghan said.
“There’s talk of moving Kalyn (Ponga) to No.6 so it depends on how that unfolds because it will determine what happens to our spine players.
“There is some good depth in the halves at the Knights with Adam Clune, Jackson Hastings, Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Gamble.
“So, you’d imagine one or two of those would be dropping down weekly to NSW Cup.
“That means we have the potential for a really strong spine – and that’s your most important part.”
Monaghan knows what he’s talking about. The Manly 2007 NRL premiership-winning team had himself at No.9, Matt Orford at No.7, Jamie Lyon at No.6 and Brett Stewart at No.1.
The Knights NSW Cup side has not seen finals action since 2017.
“There’s a two-fold nature of NSW Cup,” Monaghan said.
“It’s not just about making sure where you are on the table, it’s also about developing those players.
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“That’s the fine art of coaching NSW Cup – your job is to make sure your guys are prepared for the top grade so they know what to do when they get the call-up, but also that NSW Cup is successful.
“I’ve got to get that balance right and that’s what (NRL coach) Adam O’Brien really impressed on me when I took this job.
“Newcastle has probably missed a few opportunities in the past of really maximising the talent that’s around the Hunter area.
“Yes, we want to be successful in NSW Cup and send players up but also we want to give players from the area the chance to stay in the area – and develop them here rather than seeing them go to other clubs and do well.”
