Mole’s season review: ‘No reason’ why Knights can’t replicate heroics as ‘gun signing’ lands
The Knights may have just fallen short of glory on grand final day, but the club’s stunning performance in 2026 will be talked about for years to come among the Newcastle faithful.
And the team that carried the Knights to within two points of a premiership after last season’s dismal wooden spoon days will be remembered with as much respect as the club’s two grand final wins in 1997 and 2001.
Kalyn Ponga. Getty Images
Most pundits had the Knights primed for back-to-back wooden spoons and when they shocked the league by making the finals in seventh spot, they were expected to go out the back door in quick time.
But Justin Holbrook and his exciting young side had other ideas, eliminating the Rabbitohs, Warriors and Panthers in a memorable three-week run of the sudden-death gauntlet.
Despite all that, they were rank outsiders against glamour boys Sydney Roosters in the grand final, with many predicting a blowout.
Remember that on top of being without props Jacob Saifiti and Trey Mooney, they had hooker Phoenix Crossland suspended. The whole front row was wiped out!
Marquee man Dylan Brown was also long gone, missing half the season through injury, so it was very much a ‘next man up’ mentality that got the Knights as far as they went.
And despite the Roosters dominating every statistic in the big one, the Knights only lost by the odd point, 19-18, in one of the bravest grand final performances in recent memory.
Full credit has to go to Holbrook, who rebuilt a broken and dysfunctional football team into a formidable machine with basically the same roster that looked so dismal on the paddock in recent seasons.
He unearthed young talents like Francis Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen, Cody Hopwood, Thomas Cant and Harrison Graham who adapted to the pace and pressure of the NRL with amazing ease.
Kalyn Ponga enjoyed his best season in the NRL and was an inspiration - both as fullback and captain - leading the Knights to some memorable upset wins.
Wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew fed off his great attacking instinct and bagged 48 tries between them - remarkable in a team that struggled for points throughout 2025.
Bradman Best won an Australian World Cup spot and an Origin series on the back of his splendid form throughout the season and there were few more damaging ball-runners out wide in the league.
His centre partner, the veteran Dane Gagai, was the ultimate pro and it was surprising to see the Knights let him go back to Brisbane to finish his career next season.
With Brown missing, Roosters discard Sandon Smith rose to the occasion in the run-in to the finals and his combination with the dangerous Fletcher Sharpe troubled even the best defences.
Back-rower Dylan Lucas started the season in scintillating form before injury hit and he wasn’t quite 100 per cent when he came back in the finals.
‘No frills’ lock Mat Croker was a tower of strength and the only Knight to play in all 28 games from Vegas to Homebush.
Mat Croker and the Knights celebrate a stunning win in the preliminary finals. Getty Images
While grand final night finished in heartbreak, 2026 will go down as one of the greatest seasons in the Knights’ proud history and there’s no reason why the good times can’t continue next year from the lessons learned over the past eight months.
Best player: On his day, there was no more dangerous player in the NRL than Ponga and he showed that with an injury-free run. He is world-class.
Biggest disappointment: Big things were expected from bulky prop Pasami Saulo in his return after a stint at Canberra but he started just two games and gave little impact off the bench.
Key signing: Marata Niukore from the Warriors is the one gun signing to date and he should add a tough, hard edge to a young pack. Great gain.
2027 gains: Marata Niukore (Warriors)
2027 losses: Dane Gagai (Broncos), Tyson Gamble (Catalans), Brodie Jones (retired).
