The Newcastle Rugby League (NEWRL) scene is getting a high-profile injection of experience and talent, with some former Knights returning to the fold.

Among the latest to make the move to coach, mentor or play are club legends Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Hall of Famer Steve Simpson.

The latter is taking the reins at the Northern Hawks, while recently-retired NRL star Fitzgibbon has signed to pull on the boots for the South Newcastle Lions. 

Once a Knight Old Boys vice-president Stephen Crowe said it was a huge win for local footy. 

“This is the most recent in a long line of ex-Knights players who’ve gone back into the Newcastle competition at both senior and junior levels to contribute as coaches, players and mentors,” he explained.  

“I’ve got to say though, Steve’s probably the best of all those players.

“He is a Hall of Famer at the Knights for a very good reason. 

“Simmo’s one of our greatest, toughest, most resilient and talented players. 

“To have him back, coaching in the Newcastle Rugby League is a real coup for them.

“When the Knights kicked off in 1988, the local premiership was concerned that all the best, local players, would be sucked up into the Knights and they’d be depleted. 

“What’s happened, over time, is we’ve seen guys at the end of their NRL careers go back into the NEWRL.

“And, it’s actually strengthened and bolstered the local league.

“Lachlan Fitzgibbon is still in his peak years. 

“So, to have both those blokes being a part of the local footy competition is a real achievement for not just their teams, but for the premiership more generally.”

The benefits for NEWRL players are clear, too.

Crowe highlighted the unique opportunity for youngsters to learn from someone with NRL experience. 

That list also includes the likes of Sione and Peter Mata’utia, Wes Naiqama, Brad Tighe, Nathan Ross, Will Smith and Brock Lamb in recent years.

“Simpson, for example, played more than 200 NRL games for the Knights, a dozen State of Origin matches, and represented Australia multiple times,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“That’s incredibly invaluable. 

“It just can’t be replicated in any other way. 

“He’s a great communicator and a role model. 

“If I was a young kid playing for the Northern Hawks, that would be a huge attraction. 

“And, to have Fitzgibbon come into a team with his fresh experience, that’s always an exciting addition.”

The trend of former elite players returning to the local scene also strengthens pathways to professional rugby league, Crowe added.

“The Knights’ ethos is to promote the game more generally, and ideally have players from Newcastle, and the Hunter, go on to represent the Knights at the top level,” he said.

“So, a strong local competition is absolutely key to that. 

“And, having people like Simpson involved is really going to assist.

“In the past, players who came back to help strengthen the local competition definitely created interest and attracted more sponsors.

“It can also attract younger players to take up the game.

“It builds the brand and the reputation of the Newcastle Rugby League and it’s just a wonderful asset.

“The players who have done that in the past have been really quite successful. 

“So, I hope that Simmo is as well.

“Fitzgibbon will also be a valuable asset to his club.  

“I think we probably should expect more players to continue to come back and help out, in investing their time in local clubs, in the future.”

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