The pre-season 2026 thread

Inside Word said:
Hi everyone, seen there has been some chatter around Taj Annan and his development in League with the deal running through to 2027. From what I have heard and the rumours going around in Newcastle is that Taj has returned to Rugby Union and has joined pre-season with Australian Super Rugby side the Western Force (Perth). He had offers from a couple of Aussie union sides and has settled at the Perth team. Im not sure if the Western Force paid a release fee for him or if Annan simply asked for a release and then signed with the Force.
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No loss.
He looked like he'd take at least another couple of years to get up to speed.
I can't say I saw him have even 1 good game in reserve grade.
 
From what we’ve heard the Knights had been hoping to buy out his deal for a while but he was digging his heels in. Only got real confirmation that he’s gone earlier today.

Never looked like he was comfortable. On his best days he was just kind of there. Had already been overtaken by younger prospects by mid-season and figured to be even further down the pecking order this year.
 
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not sure if this is Mat Arthur
 
Holbrook interview - says 17 young guys trained today and the rest will all be training before Christmas.
Says Sharpe has the skills to play anywhere and when pressed on position said "preferably halves" but went on to say he has a lot of choices.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

Justin Holbrook | Pre-Season Media

Justin Holbrook addresses the media following the first day of the 2026 pre-season at the Newcastle Permanent Centre of Excellence.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au
 
Sharpe interview where they tried to get him to name a preferred position - he just said he "wants to get his hands on the ball"

Talked about Cody Hopwood being the last forward going in the fitness test - said the big guy don't like to give up.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

Sharpe: 'I'm ready to rip in'

Fletcher Sharpe addresses the media following day one of the 2026 pre-season at the Newcastle Permanent Centre of Excellence.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au
 
The interesting thing about the Holbrook interview is they asked him about running up sandhills etc and he said they'll do that if the trainers wanted to, but it wasn't in his plans - he wanted to spend a lot of time on football drills.
The photos of this mornings session shows them with football in hand.
Don't think they handled football much for the first week last year.
 
Whatever he's planning, he's probably not going to come in and publicly foreclose on the prospect of Sharpe playing anywhere before they actually start all training together. It's wiser to try stuff in training and sort of let things fall as they may naturally. You don't ever want to say anything which can be interpreted as a lack of belief in one of your players.

If he does decide to not play Sharpe in the spine he'll explain it as a "best for the balance of the team" thing and likely also make pains to talk about how good it is to have the option to move Sharpe into the halves or fullback if there are injuries.
 
HarVeeGee13 said:
Whatever he's planning, he's probably not going to come in and publicly foreclose on the prospect of Sharpe playing anywhere before they actually start all training together. It's wiser to try stuff in training and sort of let things fall as they may naturally. You don't ever want to say anything which can be interpreted as a lack of belief in one of your players.

If he does decide to not play Sharpe in the spine he'll explain it as a "best for the balance of the team" thing and likely also make pains to talk about how good it is to have the option to move Sharpe into the halves or fullback if there are injuries.
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And if he does play him in the halves after a full preseason?
 
Important parts for me (paraphrasing, my st memory isnt the greatest)
- sees Sandon equally as effective as a half or hooker
- preference is to fit Sharpe in the halves
- identified a lack of basic skills and footy IQ = Plenty of time with the ball this preseason
- he and the coaches runs the team, he doesn't need Kalyn or others to direct the team (outside of games)
- versatility in the halves, plans to train them up in multiple positions

So far so good imo, I was encouraged listening to that interview.
Appears current thinking would be
1. Ponga
6. Sharpe
7. Brown
9 Sandon
But, how many games will we be full strength. Add Crossland in and move the guys around to suit injuries etc, because that's what we will need.
I guess you could look at it like this. Normally, an injury in the halves means a new player from cup (or bench). If we have 5 elite FG players sharing those 4 positions, then instead of a cup player we have a elite guy in the 17 already. Thats a positive imo. The negative is constantly moving guy's who are trying to learn new positions. As usual, a good run without injury will be key.
 
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