Jaz.

One of the Newcastle Knights favourite sons Steve Simpson has today drawn the curtain on his long and distinguished career by announcing his retirement after 12 seasons with the Knights.

The boy from Broke joined the Knights via the Hunter Academy of Sport rugby league program back in 1996, going on to make 216 first grade appearances after debuting against Parramatta in April 1999.

Simpson played his junior football with the Singleton Greyhounds before beginning his NRL career with his one and only club, the Newcastle Knights. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest local players to emerge from the Hunter region and leaves behind a legacy which only ‘Simmo’ could do.

The tough, uncompromising and hardworking back rower also went on to play Country Origin (2), NSW Origin (13), Australian Tests (7) and the Kangaroo Tour of 2003.

Simpson will be long remembered by rugby league fans as a no-nonsense competitor who has given 100 per cent both on and off the field.

“I’m proud to say I played for the Newcastle Knights, I’ve had a great time and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Simpson said.

“There have been so many good times, I have met so many good people and now I look forward to supporting the boys and enjoying the next part of my life, especially our last home game against the Dragons with the Old Boys.

“I really want to thank my Mum and Dad who clocked up the kilometres during my teenage years as I juggled being an apprentice mechanic in Singleton and my football commitments in Newcastle.

“I want to thank my wife Jacqui, my family, the club and all of the Newcastle fans who have supported me over the years, I really appreciate it.”

An ongoing knee injury has forced Simpson from the field since round 11 this year, and will regrettably rob his loyal fans of the opportunity to farewell one of nature’s true gentlemen the way he would have liked, playing in front of a packed crowd at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Newcastle Knights would like to encourage all Steve Simpson fans to help us celebrate a wonderful career and pay tribute to Simmo at Old Boys Day, on Saturday 28 August when the Knights play the Dragons at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

What do you all think about this, especially Knight's fans?

Who do you think will step up & take his spot?

Well, it's half time & Parra scored 3 good tries in the last 6 mins of the half!

Jarryd Hayne has a double, & is showing glimpses of last year.

Anyone else expect this?

I know it's only half way through the match, but Kurt has only just come on at hooker & straight away, set up a good try under the posts!

Perfect minus/bishop !

South Sydney's NRL finals hopes may have been handed a huge blow after in-form hooker Issac Luke dislocated his shoulder in training on Tuesday.

The New Zealand international, who has been instrumental in the Rabbitohs' strong start to the season, will undergo scans on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury.

Souths, who sit in fifth spot on the ladder, have a bye this weekend.

Poor bunnies.. Nothing seems to go their way. Year after year something happens to them.

Canberra Raiders star Josh Dugan was arrested by police for negligent driving and driving while disqualified on Sunday, the NRL club said on Tuesday evening.

"Dugan and the Raiders will await the outcome of the court's decision before making any further comment on the issue," a statement from the club said.

Dugan will face court on July 13.

1. J. Hayne

2. B. Morris

3. M. Jennings

4. B. Scott

5. M. Gordon

6. T. Barrett (c)

7. M. Pearce

8. J. King

9. M. Ennis

10. K. Snowden

11. L. Lewis

12. P. Gallen

13. G. Bird

14. K. Gidley

15. A. Watmough

16. T. Learoyd-Lahrs

17. T. Mannah

So my team was abit off! Your thoughts?

Most of you will disagree with this, probably, & this is not the team i'd like to see, just what I think it will be. Btw, there is still about half hour 'till team is named.

1. J. Dugan

2. B. Morris

3. M. Jennings

4. J. Morris

5. M. Gordon/J. Hayne

6. T. Carney

7. M. Pearce

8. K. Galloway

9. R. Farah

10. K. Snowden

11. C. Heighington

12. A. Watmough

13. P. Gallen

14. K. Gidley

15. L. Douglas

16. L. Lewis

17. B. White/A. Tolman/T. Mannah

18. L. Coote

What about that?!

That was an amazing try from Kevin Locke & really showed his selflessness at diving for the try while smashing his hip into the pole. I hope he is okay.

What do you all think of the game, & that try?

The Coal & Allied Newcastle Knights have today confirmed another significant recruitment announcement with the signing of current Queensland State of Origin forward Neville Costigan until the end of the 2013 season.

Costigan, 25, will join the Knights at the end of this season once he has completed his current contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Costigan has represented Papua New Guinea in the 2008 World Cup and has played five games for Queensland, along with 101 NRL games after debuting for the Brisbane Broncos in 2003, he then moved to the Canberra Raiders before rejoining Wayne Bennett at the Dragons.

The keen fisherman who grew up in tropical Mackay after being born in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, believes the Newcastle Knights is the perfect place to further his already distinguished rugby league career.

“Newcastle is a club I am excited about going to,” Costigan said.

“I have now played 100 NRL games and would like to think that I can achieve the 200 game milestone at the Knights.

“I had other options but I like the town, the lifestyle it offers, their fanatical supporters and the fact I can play a part in the direction the club is heading over the next couple of years.

“I am also impressed with the coaching staff and other people associated with the Knights that I have met.”

The family man credits Wayne Bennett, his former Broncos and current Dragons coach for the role he has played in not only his career, but his life as well.

Newcastle Knights Coach Rick Stone is excited about the latest signing and believes he will complement the 2011 playing roster nicely, especially with the impending arrival of fellow former Queensland origin forward Antonio Kaufusi within the next seven days.

“I have been monitoring Neville over the past couple of years and I’m very impressed with him both on and off the field, “ said Stone.

“There is no doubt he is a competitor, who brings plenty of experience having been part of well credentialed and professional organisations from an early age.

“We were looking for some specific qualities in our recruitment policy and Nev ticked all the boxes we needed right across the park, it’s great news for the club.”

Costigan is expected to visit Newcastle in the near future, during which time a media opportunity with his new club will be provided.

What do you all think?

So far, Newcastle have signed Beau Henry, Antonio Kaufusi, Siuatonga Likiliki & now, Neville Costigan.

I'm not a Joey hater, I am actually a Newcastle Supporter..

But what Andrew said was out of line, whether it was directed at Timana or not.

"The Nine Network reported Johns as telling centre Beau Scott he needed to stop "that black c***", a reference to Maroons Aboriginal star Greg Inglis."

That is a disgusting thing to say to anyone.

Your thoughts?

http://www.nrl.com/news/news/newsarticle/tabid/108...

The Knights have named their squad with numerous players back from injury, but no selection more, odd.. then Kurt Gidley playing HB & Cooper Vuna being dropped.

Whatt do you guys think?

1. Wes Naiqama

2. Akuila Uate

3. Junior Sa’u

4. Adam MacDougall

5. James McManus

6. Jarrod Mullen

7. Kurt Gidley (c)

8. Ben Cross

9. Isaac De Gois

10. Dan Tolar

11. Steve Simpson

12. Cory Paterson

13. Zeb Taia

14. Matt Hilder

15. Cameron Ciraldo

16. Richie Fa’aoso

17. Con Mika

18. Joel Edwards

1. What song(s) do you like from them?

2. Other bands you like from same sort of genre.