A sports journalist since 1986 at the Newcastle Herald and Canberra Times (four years), Robert has covered 16 seasons of NRL-level rugby league, three rugby league tours of England, Test matches, Origins, grand finals, international and Sheffield Shield cricket, Wimbledon, A-League soccer and all manner of sport at grassroots level. His stories appear across the Fairfax Media network.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said speculation about the size of Kalyn Ponga's deal had been "wildly exaggerated" after Newcastle confirmed on Monday they had signed the teenage sensation for four years.
The Newcastle Knights have abstained from joining the rebel clubs hoping to overthrow ARL Commission chairman John Grant, saying they are in an "invidious" position and need to remain neutral.
South Sydney have extended their dominance of Newcastle to a seventh successive game with an emphatic 34-12 win at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley has dismissed a report suggesting the club is trying to offload senior playmaker Jarrod Mullen, saying there is "no truth to it whatsoever".
A second-half capitulation against Penrith at Hunter Stadium on Sunday condemned Newcastle to a 15th consecutive defeat.
After struggling all season against teams with older, more experienced players, Newcastle get a chance to play in their own age division when they take on Penrith on Sunday.
Newcastle's losing streak extended to a club-record 14 games when they were beaten 28-14 by Canterbury at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
The Dragons have climbed into the top eight and and Benji Marshall has pushed his case for a new contract in a 30-18 win against hapless Newcastle.
Newcastle scored their first win under coach Nathan Brown – and ended a 231-day winless run – with a gripping 18-16 triumph over Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.
The plan seemed foolproof. Take two competitive but financially embattled football franchises, unite them under one banner.
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