The Mole: Knights desperate for $13m gamble to fix 'comical' issue that has plagued them for years

No team needs a hard reset in 2026 more than the Knights.

Last year was a calamity with the wooden spoon, the sacking of coach Adam O'Brien and an attack that bordered between embarrassing and comical.

The Knights failed to score in 14 halves of football during the season - surely an NRL record - as O'Brien chopped and changed his playmakers to no effect.

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New coach Justin Holbrook has been spoilt in that area - the Knights brought in $13 million, 10 year recruit Dylan Brown, as well as a smart back-up in ex-Rooster Sandon Smith.

Throw the elusive Fletcher Sharpe into the mix and the Knights suddenly have real attacking threats around the halves for the first time in a long time.

Holbrook has included all three in his 19-man squad to take on the Cowboys in Vegas so we may well see some mid-game manoeuvring if things don't start according to plan.

As bad as the attack was, the defence wasn't much better in 2025. The Knights faithful were forced to endure 10 losses of more than 20 points, so the old excuse of 'if only' doesn't wash here.

But all is not lost - if the halves can click and give their outside men time and space, the Knights have genuine strike power in Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Dane Gagai and Dom Young.

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All four are noted try scorers with the ability to score from long distance.

There are some promising young forwards in the ranks, notably Dylan Lucas, who could push for a State of Origin spot if the Blues decide to actually pick a team on form.

Holbrook has a high opinion of rising back-rower Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana and he should get plenty of minutes as he accustoms to the pace of NRL football.

All in all, a much better team on paper than last year - and could be one of the NRL's big improvers.

Gains: Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels, 2035), Peter Hola (The Dolphins, 2027), Asu Kepaoa (Penrith Panthers, 2027), Trey Mooney (Canberra Raiders, 2029), Pasami Saulo (Canberra Raiders, 2027), Sandon Smith (Sydney Roosters, 2029)

Losses: Jake Arthur (Hull FC), Jayden Brailey (Canberra Raiders), Paul Bryan (Manly Sea Eagles), Jack Cogger (Penrith Panthers), Adam Elliott (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Brock Greacen (Castleford Tigers), Jack Hetherington (Melbourne Storm), Riley Jones (Cronulla Sharks), Jye Linnane (New Zealand Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Will Pryce (Hull FC), Sebastian Su'a (The Dolphins), Leo Thompson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Tyrone Thompson (rugby union)

Best buy: Without doubt the $13 million man Dylan Brown - but with that massive pay-packet comes the pressure of whipping the spluttering Knights attack into shape.

It's a big season for: Kalyn Ponga is among the most talented players in the NRL but injuries have frustrated him in recent seasons. With the arrival of Sandon Smith and Brown, he has more options to work with in attack and hopefully get the team scoring points again.

Biggest question mark: With experienced campaigners Leo Thompson, Jayden Brailey, Kai Pearce-Paul, Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott all leaving, there are fears the Knights pack could struggle against the bigger teams in the league.

Finish last year: 17th

Predicted finish: 16th

Best 19 man squad

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Fletcher Sharpe

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Dominic Young

6. Sandon Smith

7. Dylan Brown

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Tyson Frizell

11. Jermaine McEwen

12. Dylan Lucas

13. Trey Mooney

Interchange

14. Asu Kepaoa

15. Brodie Jones

16. Mat Croker

17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana

18. Thomas Cant

19. Matt Arthur

Odds to win comp: $51