2026 preview - Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights will be looking to bounce back in 2026 after a dreadful last few years down in the mines of the NRL Premiership.

A new coach, a million-dollar half and the weight of a city resting on the shoulders of 30 men. What could possibly go wrong this year for the Newcastle Knights?

Having spent more time down the bottom of the ladder than any other team in the last few seasons, the Knights will finally have a reason to be up and about. The signing of Dylan Brown to a 10-year deal, lining him up with Fletcher Sharpe and Kalyn Ponga, has mouths across the Steel city salivating.

Justin Holbrook comes down to lead the charge back to glory for a team who celebrates the 25th anniversary of their last ever title win. The Old Boys will want to see some fight out of the Knights, a team to rolled over more than a good doggo in 2025.

A couple of big losses in the playing ranks will hurt, but the incoming crew for the Knights will have fans ready, coaching staff excited and plenty of eyes watching the first game in March.

Why they'll win the comp

Ponga, Sharpe, Brown, Lucas. If the Knights want any chance to win the 2026 NRL Premiership, those four names will have to be front and centre of almost every try scored or set up.

When Fletcher Sharpe was fit last year, the Knights attack could strike from anywhere. Trying to figure out if Sharpe was the decoy, running the ball or handing off to Kalyn Ponga? Add in Dylan Brown, the most spoken about signing and lethal short-side runner? Good luck.

We also have Dylan Lucas, who was far and away the Knights best player when fit. A hard running second rower, defensively strong, versatile, anything you could ask for, he had. One of the best second rowers in the game (and a SuperCoach lock), he was lethal on the edge.

If those four names can stand up and play at or close to their best, the Knights could just do it.

Why they won't

The Knights defensive line is questionable at best and reserve grade at worst. They lost by 20+ points ten times in 2025, with five of those losses seeing the Knights concede forty points.

While there is no questioning the defending of the second rowers in the team, the wingers like to charge in like a bull to a red flag! Dom Young and Greg Marzhew come running in first, and then track back later. The good teams just wait for the cue and then looping the ball outside to score in the corner.

You can't allow the good teams to take advantage of sloppy defending, which is exactly what the Knights did in 2025. Unless there's a massive shift this season in how Newcastle defends, they won't see September footy.

2026 fixtures

Key Players

Kalyn Ponga. Enough said? Potentially the most injury-prone man in the NRL, he's also one of two players who can decimate an opposition side from anywhere. On his day, he's the most explosive, problematic fullback to try and handle in the NRL. Unfortunately, more recently, his day has been curtailed by injury more often than not. A fit Kalyn Ponga is a lethal Kalyn Ponga - the question will be how much of him will we see in 2026.

Fletcher Sharpe is the other Knight who could snap a defensive line like a twig. With his explosive acceleration, Sharpe can make the best edge defender look inept, creating a multitude of overlapping opportunities. There's cause for concern with his defence (see above), but it's outweighed by the fact that he breaks tackles with ease and can create something out of absolutely nothing .

Rookie to Watch

Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana may not be a rookie by definition with the NRL, but he's a player who will send shockwaves through the NRL in his first full season. Debuting in round 14 last year, he played seven games and made a huge impact in limited minutes. Should Jermaine McEwan fall by the wayside, there's an open second row spot that this kid could make his own - as shown by his trial performance last week. 23 tackles (2 missed), 108 running metres and with plenty of power in the legs, he's a gun on the rise in the Steel city.

Player movement

GAINS: Dylan Brown (Parramatta), Peter Hola, Harrison Graham (Dolphins), Pasami Saulo, Trey Mooney (Canberra), Lachlan Crouch (Newtown), Asu Kepaoa (Penrith), Sandon Smith (Sydney)

COACH: Justin Holbrook
CAPTAIN: Kalyn Ponga

Contracted list 2026: Asu Kepaoa, Bradman Best, Brodie Jones, Cody Hopwood, Dane Gagai, Dom Young, Dylan Brown, Dylan Lucas, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Fletcher Sharpe, Francis Manuleleua, Greg Marzhew, Jacob Saifiti, James Schiller, Jermaine McEwen, Kalyn Ponga, Lachlan Crouch, Matt Arthur, Mathew Croker, Pasami Saulo, Peter Hola, Phoenix Crossland, Sandon Smith, Thomas Cant, Trey Mooney, Tyson Gamble, Tyson Frizell, Wil Sullivan

LOSSES from 2025: Leo Thompson (Canterbury), Jayden Brailey (Canberra), Kai Pearce Paul (Wests Tigers), Jack Cogger (Penrith), Jake Arthur (Hull FC), Jackson Hastings (St Helens), Jack Hetherington (Melbourne), Adam Elliott (South Sydney), Mason Teague (released)

Predicted Team

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Greg Marzhew

3. Bradman Best

4. Dane Gagai

5. Dominic Young

6. Fletcher Sharpe

7. Dylan Brown

8. Jacob Safiti

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Brodie Jones

11. Dylan Lucas

12. Jermaine McEwan

13. Tyson Frizell
    
    INT:

14. Sandon Smith

15. Trey Mooney

16. Mat Croker

17. Thomas Cant

18. Matt Arthur

19. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana