Newcastle have set themselves the ambitious goal of becoming one of the top five defensive teams in the competition in a bid to return to finals football.

The Knights are the worst defensive side of the modern era, a major reason why they have earned three of the past four wooden spoons. They posted the worst for-and-against last season after conceding 607 points, with only Manly letting in more. They finished last in that category in 2017 (648 points conceded), last again in 2016 (800 points), and finished second-last just ahead of the Titans with 612 in 2015.

Taskmaster: Knights coach Nathan Brown wants his side's defence to stiffen up in 2019. Credit:AAP

There is growing excitement in the Hunter about the team’s prospects after excitement machine Kalyn Ponga moved into the halves alongside Mitchell Pearce and the strengthening of an excitement backline with the addition of Jessie Ramien.

However, the focus has shifted on to stopping points rather than scoring them so Newcastle can return to the play-offs for the first time since 2013