“I’d Be Embarrassed”: Voss Urges Newcastle to Scrap Mad Monday After Wooden Spoon Season……
The Newcastle Knights have come under fire following their disappointing NRL campaign, with former player and commentator Paul Voss urging the club to abandon the long-standing “Mad Monday” tradition after finishing last on the ladder.
The Knights endured a nightmare season, closing out 2025 at the bottom of the table and picking up the dreaded wooden spoon. With eight straight defeats marking their finish, frustrations among fans and pundits have reached boiling point. Voss, never one to shy away from voicing strong opinions, argued that the club should rethink its priorities rather than indulging in end-of-season celebrations.
“I’d be embarrassed if I were a Knights player right now,” Voss said in a recent radio segment. “This isn’t the time to party. It’s the time to reflect, regroup, and rebuild. After a season like that, Mad Monday shouldn’t even be on the table.”
Mad Monday, a post-season ritual across the NRL where players gather for festivities, has long divided opinions. While many players see it as a chance to unwind after the rigors of the season, critics argue that it often sends the wrong message, especially when teams underperform.
Voss believes Newcastle’s struggles demand accountability and a shift in culture. “The Knights need to show their supporters they’re serious about change. Finishing with the wooden spoon should hurt, and that pain should drive them into the preseason—not be drowned out in beer.”
The comments come amid growing debate around whether struggling clubs should continue to engage in such celebrations. Supporters, already disheartened by the Knights’ lack of consistency and leadership, have echoed calls for the team to forgo Mad Monday in favor of demonstrating a renewed commitment to improvement.
With the offseason now underway, all eyes will be on Newcastle’s management and players to see how they respond. The Knights will enter 2026 under immense pressure to deliver a stronger campaign, and gestures such as shelving Mad Monday could serve as an early sign that the club is determined to change its fortunes.
