So after I was quite concerned about the change before it was released (I think this was pretty obvious), I have now been able to sit on the new design for a little while (looking back at it periodically to refresh the image in my head) and have come up with my final thoughts.
If I take into account this quote from the Newcastle Knights article when they unveiled their updated logo:
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The update was required following changes to National Rugby League Branding Guidelines made ahead of the 2019 season.
These changes were implemented to give the NRL a cleaner, more streamlined design across all competitions, and saw the addition of new visual elements within which club brands would sit going forward.
These design elements were supported by the game’s broadcasters and media partners, and are now commonplace across Rugby League.
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Then looking at the changes to the logo, like removing the claws, old text and V, then simplifying the head, making it work across various colour schemes which meets the NRL guidelines (including in a single colour without changing any of the design to do so), and removing the colours that are not part of the teams colours (yellow and red).
I have come to the conclusion, that I actually **like** the update.
It keep the heritage of the original logo, gives it a modern update, makes the head actually work on its own (I never thought the old one did that), even though still somewhat complicated it is something that a child could likely draw on their own (which is actually a good thing when it comes to branding), and is still recognisable as our logo.
So yeah, actually a positive change in my opinion.