Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights are a National Rugby League team based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.

Controversy

In 1998 player Robbie O'Davis and Adam MacDougall tested positive for steroids. Both received 10-odd week bans.

Related Topics:
Robbie O'Davis - Adam MacDougall

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The club has become embroiled in a scandal involving the conduct of several players after a trial game against the Penrith Panthers in Bathurst in late February 2005. Players ventured to an downtown dormitory of Charles Sturt University and caused a ruckus with unruly behaviour. One player has been accused of indecent assult, a complaint was lodged with local police, and then withdrawn.

Related Topics:
Penrith Panthers - Bathurst - February 2005 - Dormitory - Charles Sturt University

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As a result, the club sacked rookie Dane Tilse, fined 12 players a total of $50,000 and the club itself was fined $100,000 by the NRL.

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The cost to the club in terms of sponsorship could be much more damaging, with a deal worth $2.25 million with electronics company Gizmondo Europe already being cancelled. The club will go into the first round of the 2005 NRL season without a naming rights sponsor.

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It was, however made public that Gizmondo Europe had rejected a proposal from the Knights not over the Bathurst Incident, but because their Australian launch was not finalised.

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After 14 weeks of the 2005 National Rugby League season, the Knights finally landed a main sponsor - Coal & Allied, a Hunter-based mining company.

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