When the Newcastle Knights lost seven games out of nine mid-season and were languishing well down the ladder, things got so dire that the club began secretly searching for a new coach.
But then, all of a sudden, something amazing happened: the Knights started winning and couldn't stop.
Their 10-match unbeaten streak became the talk of the league, deservedly earned Adam O'Brien a new deal and took the club to within two games of the grand final.
READ MORE: Inside the secret Panthers test for injured Luai
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They weren't just winning games - they were playing sparkling attacking football as they did so, blowing many opponents off the park with their speed and power.
The brilliant Kalyn Ponga, finally over his concussion and injury worries, was at the heart of the remarkable revival. His raids from the backfield worried every club in the NRL and he set up countless tries for his outside men.
Wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew were the main beneficiaries of Ponga's class, scoring an amazing 47 tries between them, while centre Bradman Best also got in for his share of the spoils with 13.
Stream every game of the 2023 NRL finals series live and free on 9Now
McDonald Jones Stadium was the epicentre of the NRL for the second half of the season, with sellout crowds delighting to the team's bright, attacking style of football.
'No frills' players like Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Leo Thompson bought into the Knights' new attitude and had career-best seasons.
If there was a downer on the team in 2023, it was that long wretched run mid-season which cost them a top four berth.
The Knights had the personnel to be a real force had they finished in the top four and after beating Canberra in their opening finals game, they were trounced by a pumped-up Warriors team in Auckland in a disappointing end to an otherwise fruitful campaign.
The lesson the players should have learned is that it's a long season - and you have to turn up every week wanting to win and believing you can do so to be successful.
If the Knights take that out of 2023, they can be an even bigger threat next season.
Best player: Ponga is an excitement machine and took his game to a new level in 2023 - and there's no reason why he can't continue to develop in coming seasons.
Key signing: The raps on Kai Pearce-Paul - signed from Wigan - are huge, although there is always a question mark over whether players from Super League can immediately step up to NRL level.
2024 gains: Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan), Will Pryce (Huddersfield), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs)
2024 losses: Dominic Young (Roosters), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Lachlan Miller (Leeds)
When the Newcastle Knights lost seven games out of nine mid-season and were languishing well down the ladder, things got so dire that the club began secretly searching for a new coach.
But then, all of a sudden, something amazing happened: the Knights started winning and couldn't stop.
Their 10-match unbeaten streak became the talk of the league, deservedly earned Adam O'Brien a new deal and took the club to within two games of the grand final.
READ MORE: Inside the secret Panthers test for injured Luai
READ MORE: Tigers announce long-term Hardwick successor
READ MORE: Why Broncos star owes career to late grandmother
They weren't just winning games - they were playing sparkling attacking football as they did so, blowing many opponents off the park with their speed and power.
The brilliant Kalyn Ponga, finally over his concussion and injury worries, was at the heart of the remarkable revival. His raids from the backfield worried every club in the NRL and he set up countless tries for his outside men.
Wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew were the main beneficiaries of Ponga's class, scoring an amazing 47 tries between them, while centre Bradman Best also got in for his share of the spoils with 13.
Stream every game of the 2023 NRL finals series live and free on 9Now
McDonald Jones Stadium was the epicentre of the NRL for the second half of the season, with sellout crowds delighting to the team's bright, attacking style of football.
'No frills' players like Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Leo Thompson bought into the Knights' new attitude and had career-best seasons.
If there was a downer on the team in 2023, it was that long wretched run mid-season which cost them a top four berth.
The Knights had the personnel to be a real force had they finished in the top four and after beating Canberra in their opening finals game, they were trounced by a pumped-up Warriors team in Auckland in a disappointing end to an otherwise fruitful campaign.
The lesson the players should have learned is that it's a long season - and you have to turn up every week wanting to win and believing you can do so to be successful.
If the Knights take that out of 2023, they can be an even bigger threat next season.
Best player: Ponga is an excitement machine and took his game to a new level in 2023 - and there's no reason why he can't continue to develop in coming seasons.
Key signing: The raps on Kai Pearce-Paul - signed from Wigan - are huge, although there is always a question mark over whether players from Super League can immediately step up to NRL level.
2024 gains: Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan), Will Pryce (Huddersfield), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs)
2024 losses: Dominic Young (Roosters), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington), Simi Sasagi (Raiders), Lachlan Miller (Leeds)
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