KURT Gidley has one more match for Newcastle Knights before his focus will switch to Warrington Wolves in 2016.
His 251st NRL appearance for his hometown club is away to Penrith Panthers on Saturday as the Knights seek a win that would avoid them receiving the wooden spoon.
From a Warrington perspective, the reaction of the supporters to Gidley’s final home game at the weekend was pleasing - it shows the affection with which he is held and the respect he has earned as skipper of a club he has spent his entire 15-year career with.
It’s clear he is a quality individual who is going to be a major asset to Wolves, for whom he has signed a 12-month contract.
The week’s build-up to the clash with Canterbury Bulldogs featured a #ThanksGids campaign, he entered the arena to a guard of honour from the club’s past players and he carried his two kiddies on to the field before waving to the crowd ahead of kick off.
There was a post-match farewell event on the pitch too, when his emotions of all the fuss finally got the better of this proud Novocastrian.
What an amazing turnout to farewell captain Kurt Gidley! #goKnights #ThanksGids pic.twitter.com/J7jPnB5kNi
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) August 29, 2015
What a home ground farewell for the skipper! #ThanksGids @kurt_gidley pic.twitter.com/b5dwrSWx9d
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) August 29, 2015
But what struck me most was that this wasn’t a 23,000 crowd paying tribute to a 33-year-old veteran who used to be top dog - he still is!
From this game and others I’ve watched since his confirmed signing with The Wire, you can see the man is a machine whether he’s at full back or, as was the case at the weekend, at stand off.
He never stops working, whether that’s leading the defensive line, the kick chase, organising the go-forward, breaking down opposition barriers or dictating play with his kicks.
Proving the case, Newcastle Knights revealed post-match statistics of his display against finals hopefuls Canterbury.
Gidley made more tackles than any of his props, eight times the run metres of his opposite number in Moses Mbye, and had the third best tackle accuracy out of any starting player.
Players' Player in Round 25 went to @kurt_gidley - watch his highlights here: http://t.co/MhFItzys1y #goKnights pic.twitter.com/LLeOPaOtiE
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) August 31, 2015
This guy reminds me of Terminator with the way he never gives up, and we’re told he’s exactly the same in training too.
It was his try - the 80th of his red and blue career - 10 minutes from time that put Newcastle in with a shout of upsetting Canterbury but time ran out as they fell 20-18.
It’s easy to see why he has represented his country - and as recently as 2013 - and skippered his state too.
I reckon he will be a revelation in Warrington colours and have a similar impact, if not better, to fellow Australian Brett Hodgson when he concluded his playing career over here with Huddersfield Giants and then Wolves.
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