Having won the 2001 NRL Premiership, the Knights traveled to England to play the 2002 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, the Bradford Bulls. Gidley played on the in Newcastle's loss. Gidley had a productive 2004 season (being 18th man for the NSW Blues). In round 10 of the 2004 NRL season Gidley made history when he won the Knights' first ever golden point match by kicking the winning field goal after 3 minutes and 26 seconds of extra time. The Knights were without Andrew Johns for the season. That game was against the Broncos at Lang Park (Suncorp Stadium). Gidley missed most of season 2005 due to injury.