Mark Sargent

Newcastle junior, the Knights' first Test player, started his career with the Bulldogs before returning ‘home’ in 1989. That year the hardy prop was named joint-winner of the Rothmans Medal for best and fairest (with Gavin Miller). In 1990 Sargent made his Origin debut as a reserve in the third match of the series before being selected on the Kangaroo Tour. He made his Test debut in the third and deciding Test against Great Britain (as a reserve) before sitting on the bench in the two-Test series against France. After 1991, which was marred by injury, Sargent bounced back to be one of the game's most consistent forwards. Following Newcastle's semi-final appearance in 1992, Sargent forced his way back into the Australian team and played in the final of the World Cup at Wembley in October. During the Super League war in 1995 the veteran Knights player aligned himself with the rebel movement and secured a place in administration with the rival Hunter Mariners club. Retiring as a player in 1995, Sargent joined the NRL Judiciary in 1999-00 and was Newcastle team manager when the Knights won the premiership in 2001.