Rumours and Stuff

[Johnny88]

Newcastle Knights 2026 NRL season scouting report: Best 17, contract statuses, rookie watch​

New coach, new CEO, new prized playmaker — is it a new beginning for the Knights? Or will the pressure for success get the better of them? We analyse their squad, rookies, issues and more.

It’s a new era for Newcastle. New CEO, new coach and a new half.
With a bit of luck, it could spark a wave of success over the next few years, but talk is cheap and after years of disappointment, Knights fans will want results early after finishing last in 2025.
They’ve gone all in on Dylan Brown as the man to fix an ongoing halves dilemma, and if they’ve got it right, $1.3 million a season will look like a bargain.
But with great money comes great pressure, and it’s something the former Parramatta half will have to deal with every week as the highest paid player in the game. Brown hasn’t yet owned an NRL season but comes to the club off a spectacular Pacific Championships campaign with New Zealand.

Is this Newcatle's strongest 17?

Free agency wrap & rating​

Dylan Brown was the big fish, but only time will tell if the Kiwis star was an astute buy or an overcommitment of the salary cap. Having so much money tied up in Ponga and Brown is a big gamble, but it could pay off if they get all the pieces around them right.
The big issue is they’ve lost some crucial bodies in the forward pack, the most devastating of all being Leo Thompson (Bulldogs), who has been the Knights’ best prop over the past few seasons.
Kai Pearce-Paul (Tigers) and Jack Hetherington (Storm) have also left a big void in the pack, with Pasami Saulo and Trey Mooney, both from the Raiders, added to the forward stocks. Depth is a huge concern if one or two injuries take hold.
Jake Arthur gives them more options in the halves when things get rocky, while Sandon Smith is a handy replacement at hooker for Jayden Brailey and is expected to work in tandem with New Zealand No.9 Phoenix Crossland.
Rating: B

Coach status & safety rating​

Coaching is a cutthroat industry but there’s two times within the lifespan of a career that are probably considered safest – immediately after a premiership and within the first year at a new gig. Justin Holbrook takes over the Knights after six years under Adam O’Brien and will be given time to get this squad right. And he’ll need it.
Although he didn’t have a lot of luck in his last head coaching gig on the Gold Coast there’s high hopes the former Roosters assistant can get some improvement out of the talented squad.
Rating: A

Dylan Brown
The kind of money he’s earning as top dog in Newcastle comes with a lot of pressure to perform every single week, and an expectation to be a matchwinner. It’s something he’s been able to do sporadically in the past, but this is his year to announce himself as one of the best players in the game.

Three burning issues​

Halves conundrum
All eyes will be on Dylan Brown and what position he plays for the Knights after his sensational form at five-eighth for the Kiwis in the Pacific Championships. Recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan defended the signing of Brown in an exclusive interview with this masthead in March, backing him to play halfback when the Knights were under attack for signing the former Parramatta star to a 10-year deal worth $13 million.
“Those who are saying he’s not a halfback were probably saying the same thing about Cooper Cronk and Jahrome Hughes,” O’Sullivan said.
Brown was signed when axed coach Adam O’Brien was in charge, whether new boss Justin Holbrook sticks to the plan of playing the former Eel at halfback is yet to be decided.
Brown has indicated he’s happy to play wherever Holbrook wants him to.
Whatever they decide to do with Brown will impact the player next to him, whether it’s Sandon Smith at halfback or Fletcher Sharpe at five-eighth. It’s a major puzzle for Holbrook to figure out in the pre-season.

Brown has 13 million reasons to hope things work out in Newcastle. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Pressure for success
They couldn’t have been further from the finals this year after finishing with the wooden spoon. And while that’s bad enough, they have the longest grand final drought of any team in the NRL – their 2001 premiership the last time they made the grand final. That’s 25 years with no shot at the title, and while they’ve made finals on the odd occasion, there’s no fun in participation ribbons.
Holbrook’s return
Justin Holbrook is a likeable guy, and it seemed too harsh he was given the flick by the Titans while they were sitting ninth midway through the 2023 season. Now he gets a second chance as a head coach after two years working as assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters, with a stack of talent at his disposal.
It’s a big job. He’s got a new spine to work with and two of the highest paid players in the game in Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, as well as a group of young stars that need developing in a town starved of success.

Holbrook is ready to turn the Knights around. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Crystal ball​

There’s been so much turnover at the Knights over the past 12 months, and while they’ve refreshed their squad with young, dynamic players, they desperately need a bit of luck and stability. If they get it right, this could be one of the most exciting teams to watch in 2026.

2026 odds​

Premiership: $51
Minor premiership: $126
To make grand final: $23
Top four: $17
Top eight: $6.50
Most losses: $4.25

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www.dailytelegraph.com.au

 

[Johnny88]

NRL 2026 pre-season: Stars return to training ahead of Pre-season Challenge​

The holidays are officially over and the NRL pre-season is in full wing, with a host of stars returning to training in peak physical condition as they gear up for the 2026 season. See the latest pre-season news.

Still, ahead of the first round of pre-season trials, fans are taking keen note of the players in the best shapes for their sides

Manly’ Jake Trbojevic sporting a fresh headgear in Mudgee.
Manly lock Jake Trbojevic looks fit and firing to start the new season, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be taking any precautions.
After ending the season prematurely due to repetitive concussions, Jurbo is sporting a new look headgear designed to try and help reduce the force of impacts and concussions.

Back to business for Jason Ryles’ men in his second year in charge, but on the training field it’s Josh Addo-Carr with all the talk.
The speedster cut a lean figure on his return among the rest of the Eels pack, dancing and laughing all the while training the house down at the club Kellyville facilities.

Souths recruit David Fifita.
There’s big expectations for David Fifita at his new side, but if his physical fitness is any assessment, the Rabbitohs have nothing to worry about.
The hulking Queensland rep cut a sharp, defined figure to start the new year training period in what will be a delight to South Sydney fans.
Fifita will be gearing up in anticipation for his first taste in red and green in the Rabbitohs’ pre-season trial on February 14 against the Dragons.

Fresh from a harbourside engagement, Sharks main man Nicho Hynes wasted no time in the new year on the football field.
The halfback is in full focus ahead of his side’s push to go one better in 2026 and reach a grand final.

Nicho Hynes returns to pre-season training.

Nathan Cleary is back in action.
After his extended break following Australia’s Ashes series against England, the Prince of Penrith has returned in full swing.
Nathan Cleary reported back for training this week in top shape, all smiles in a no-contact yellow bib as he worked on his tackling, kicking and running games ahead of his side’s first trial on February 13 against North Queensland.

Melbourne's Tyran Wishart having a blast in the water slides at Gumbuya World Theme Park.

Stars including Harry Grant, Tyran Wishart, and Tui Kamikamica were all smiles before getting back to the training paddock.
No sign of Bellyache getting in on the fun.

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www.dailytelegraph.com.au

 

[Timana]

not a bad team the knites have

 

[JokerEel]

What was that Dunn and Kroger or whoever thing again?

The effect? where people who think they are smart raise it to be little other people. (That's not the effect btw)

 

[Johnny88]

How much will it change rugby league if the scoring team kicks off?​

More often than not in the NRL, it’s the point of no return.
That pivotal moment when full-time is fast approaching, the game is in the balance and a team is under siege on its own line. Then the defence cracks.

Unless they can produce a play to regather possession, the result is all but in the bag.
So it has been for every rugby league season since 1908, except for one – the breakaway Super League campaign in 1997, which many fans would rather forget, or remember only because it split the game they loved in two.

In a bid to differentiate themselves from the established ARL competition, Super League implemented a number of on-field rule changes. One was the introduction of the video referee, which has clearly stood the test of time. The other decreed that whichever team scored points would restart play with a kick-off.
“Scorer’s kick”, in other words.

In 96 Super League fixtures, 692 tries were scored, or 7.2 a game. In 141 ARL games, 959 tries were scored (6.8 a game). The average score in Super League was 28-15. The average ARL scoreline was 25-13.
So hindsight would suggest it evened itself out, yet when the two leagues reunited at the end of 1997 to form the NRL, tradition held sway, and scorer’s kick was consigned to the dustbin.
Until now.

In an email to clubs, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo explained that scorer’s kick would be optional, because the team that has conceded the try would also be given the choice of kicking off, instead of receiving the ball.
Abdo said this would introduce “a new tactical element to the game where the captain can decide whether possession or field position is more important based on game circumstances”.

Bennett, who coached Brisbane to the Super League title in 1997, is clearly a fan of the concept, arguing that in the modern game, especially since the advent of the interchange and, more recently, set restarts, momentum swings have become increasingly hard to counter.
Scorer’s kick, theoretically, would give teams some respite when they are on the back foot, keeping them in the contest and reducing the likelihood of blowout scorelines.

“It was a disaster”: Phil Gould said changing the kick-off rule did not work for Super League and it won’t work now.Credit:Getty
“It makes it fair,” the game’s most experienced coach said last month. “You have equal opportunity with the ball. Ball control has always been important in the game, but it’s distorted because you can score, then you go back and get the ball back.”
Others are sceptical.

Canterbury boss Phil Gould has been the most outspoken critic, stating on social media: “Whoever it was that regurgitated the concept of the scoring team kicking off in the NRL should be publicly whipped. Please ... they tried this rubbish years ago, and it was a disaster.”

Ryan, one of the all-time great coaches, believes scorer’s kick makes perfect sense.
“It’s consistent with the concept of a shared-possession game,” Ryan says. “We’ve scored, now you receive the ball from the kick-off, and we’ll see if you can score.
“I think it’s reasonable that the side that has been scored against should have the option of possession, if they want it. I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”
Ryan noted that rugby league’s rules have been tweaked multiple times over the years, normally for the code’s betterment.

How much will it change rugby league if the scoring team kicks off?

Not many people remember Super League fondly. Now one of the rebel competition’s controversial rules could make a return.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Gary Gutful]

JAC update sounds positive. He has been excellent for us. I thought his career was over a few years ago.

 

[hineyrulz]

30-40%, but they are normally in response to someone antagonising him. If you look at his tone and compare it to Hineyrulz, Avenger or even Bandwagon I think it’s pretty mild.

People like Pou and Gronk might rub people up the wrong way with what they say, but they cop an absolute shit tonne of abuse from people on here. A lot of circle jerk pile ons.

Not everyone though. Plenty of people tackle the issue rather than the man.

Don’t drag me into Pou’s BS you piss wreck.

It’s hilarious when he or his Pou Dags try and play him as the victim.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Don’t drag me into Pou’s BS you piss wreck.

It’s hilarious when he or his Pou Dags try and play him as the victim.

It beats dragging you out of Chardies and having to carry you home on a lime scooter.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Big money right, smaller money left. Also you're wrong again, there should be the same number of players in each column. We must have 30 players each year so you can't have 9 players leaving and more than that joining!!! The numbers must be the same.

That was just announcements by the club. They made more signings and extensions than players released from their contracts early. So contracts expiring weren't listed and neither were multi-year contracts signed before that table started (10th September 2024). The intent is to show salary cap space freed up (players released) with salary cap space reallocated to other players (extensions and new signings). Clubs don't sign and release 30 players every year, but they can upgrade every single existing player if they had cap space. They could've hypothetically released Lomax and upgraded 29 other players with the space he freed up (minus the cost of his replacement in the top 30). That would mean far more players getting extensions than the single player released. All for the same amount of cash.

 

[hineyrulz]

It beats dragging you out of Chardies and having to carry you home on a lime scooter.

He can fight his own battles he doesn’t need you to cup his balls whenever someone disagrees with it’s him.

Glug glug glug!!

plus I’m banned from the Chardies ffs!!

 

[Gary Gutful]

He can fight his own battles he doesn’t need you to cup his balls whenever someone disagrees with it’s him.

Glug glug glug!!

plus I’m banned from the Chardies ffs!!

I didn’t think it was possible to get banned from Chardies ffs!

 

[hineyrulz]

I didn’t think it was possible to get banned from Chardies ffs!

It took me 20 years but I finally managed it.

proper job!!

 

[Poupou Escobar]

JFI, was only 19 last year, he went from SG ball to NSW cup within 4 months.

He's no Halasima, who is only a year older than him, but Halasima is a freak. A proper generational talent. Funa-Iuta did a very good job for a 19 year old forward in reserve grade last year. I reckon he has potential, but so do a lot of our young forwards. Latu went even better, but he is three years older than JFI.

Official The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Jezaiah Funa-Iuta for Parramatta Eels NSW Cup | NSWRL

The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of Jezaiah Funa-Iuta including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.nswrl.com.au

Official The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of William Latu for Parramatta Eels NSW Cup | NSWRL

The The Knock On Effect NSW Cup profile of William Latu including career statistics, season stats, games, tries, goals, tackles and fantasy scores.

www.nswrl.com.au

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Let me just say, there’s more upside to Simrani (who is shit) the kid is lazy.

Samrani is four years older than JFI. That's four extra years of development and four fewer years of upside.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

What percentage of pous post do you think are antagonising??????? and that’s being kind, get back to me

FYI. He’s been spewing this shit for 20 years since your talking about time spent poorly

Just because I know you're going to feel antagonised by any defence of the club, doesn't mean I'm trying to antagonise you. I just don't care. Stop acting like a baby and throwing a tantrum whenever somebody doesn't hate all the same people as you. I'm just as entitled to share my opinion as you are.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Well yeah. And as you've mentioned before the best players are in NRL by 20yrs old. Backs usually by 18/19. Kitone was 22.
I dont agree with your age thing anyhows. Injuries and mentality could hamper development. I hope he does turn into a star amd Gus has egg on his face

Just because there's a general rule (better players debut younger and retire later than worse players) doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the rule. Hopefully Kautoga is one of these. Samrani too. But really, I think our next genuine star will be Ryda Talagi. An 18 year old middle forward in reserve grade is pretty impressive. The merkin is eligible for SG Ball again in 2026.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Yeah. I get that you see it that way but I happen to disagree. Lots of times I’m sure a number of you have walked away thinking you ‘owned’ Pou or Gronk. I have seen you say as much.

I’ve read the same conversation and wondered where the f**k you got that idea. Sometimes it feels like a case of emotion v logic. Not always, but it’s a pattern.

I’m not immune from it either. Don’t know if you’ve ever re-read exchanges on here? I find it enlightening because there is a record as opposed to a face-to-face conversation where you quickly forget the details.

When they're carrying on and high fiving each other I always get this vibe. To be fair, it's a pretty funny scene.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

He always has the right to refuse to reply.

Everyone does.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Sure…as do all the people complaining about him being a pest but still engaging.

ffs

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It’s my Slava today, buddy. Be nice.

I thought about you today mate (actually yesterday since it's after midnight), reading about that poor kid at the Brisbane Roar being called the G word. I stand with Serbians.