Home Ground: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Coach: Justin Holbrook

Typically, a team emerging from a "wooden spoon" season would not be considered a premiership contender for some time. However, with Kalyn Ponga secured for two additional seasons, the Knights possess a unique, albeit limited, opportunity to contend for a title before a potential rebuilding phase becomes necessary. Regardless, until Coach Justin Holbrook addresses their defensive vulnerabilities, their prospects as a top-eight team remain limited.

Should Ponga depart within the next couple of years, Newcastle will face the challenge of rebuilding and constructing a more balanced roster to pursue their first premiership since 2001. Newcastle is poised to enter 2026 with a significantly transformed outlook, characterised by a new coaching structure, substantial reinvestment in core talent, and an opportunity to fundamentally rebuild the club's foundations rather than merely making superficial adjustments.

The Newcastle Knights' pre-season restructuring is progressively becoming more defined, with recent training footage and internal club information suggesting that a revised spine combination has undergone extensive trials in recent weeks. The Knights have been extensively training a halves combination featuring recent acquisitions Sandon Smith and Dylan Brown. This strategic pairing, anticipated by many supporters at the time of Smith's signing, is now being implemented in practical training sessions.

During training sessions, the Knights have reportedly been implementing their offensive strategies with Dylan Brown positioned on the left. Phoenix Crossland has been assigned to the dummy-half role, which further emphasizes the club's commitment to evaluating a revised spine configuration in anticipation of the 2026 season. Movement has also been observed in the backline, with Fletcher Sharpe anticipated to commence the season on the left wing. However, he is expected to provide cover at five-eighth when necessary and has also been undergoing training at fullback.

If successful, the Knights' left edge, featuring Sharpe, Bradman Best, Dylan Lucas, and Dylan Brown, has the potential to become one of the most formidable in the competition, forming an exceptionally potent combination. While trials will ultimately determine the final composition, indications suggest this is more than a short-term experiment, and one the Knights are seriously considering as they prepare for round one.

Kalyn Ponga is one of the most dangerous attacking weapons in the NRL. He’s a triple threat whenever he touches the ball and doesn’t always need to touch it to have an impact. While the money in rugby union will be tempting, Ponga wants to win a premiership before he entertains a code switch and the Roosters are the most likely club to allow him to achieve that.

PREDICTED SEASON FINISH - 13TH