I'm hoping it doesn't take TOO long for Holbrook to decide on who our halves combo will be. With Brown, Sandon, Crossland returning to training late, and Ponga still in a moon boot - our entire spine will need as much reps together as possible. Not to mention our first game in Vegas, i can see a slow start tbh.
The pre-season 2026 thread
- Thread starter Billy
- Start date
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Don’t give me hope…
Mclovin
Clint Newton
It could also be a good thing, might mean someone has to step up and take control of the team. We should know pretty quick who the main man will be
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He'd be the biggest bolter in the history of RL if he did debut.
As far as I know he'd never played RL before this year, and only played a limited amount of high school RU.
He was a track athlete with an international ranking as a junior sprinter.
He had an amazing record in 2025, scoring at least 1 try in every game of Ball he played and in his first game of Flegg - averaging 2 tries a game. For perspective, a few years ago we had Fletcher Sharpe and Ethan Ferguson setting the Ball comp on fire by both averaging 1 try a game, and I can only remember a few guys like Star Toa and Chanel Mata'utia getting close to a try a game in Ball - and Gow has smashed that by a Bradman like margin.
Anyway, if he debuted, it would be about his 12th game of RL - lifetime.
Having said that, I'd love to see him in a trial game and see Brown kick for the corner and set up a foot race for Gow and whoever. He'll be the talk of the NRL if he gets to show his speed on the big screen.
Sounds like a great talent.
Maybe not in preseason yet until there is a spot for him in first grade to compete for. Otherwise if he goes well other clubs will steal him from under us
mullenmagic
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
A try a game in SG Ball is underselling it - he scored 20 in 9 games - but he’s new to the sport and it was apparent at times. Think there's a fair bit of development needed before he's in the frame for first grade, don't see that on the cards this year. Carrying his form into Flegg and getting a few games of reserve grade would be a good outcome for 2026.
You can't teach what he has going for him, though. He's a unique athlete. Just signed a longterm extension so don't need to worry about him getting pinched for now.
You can't teach what he has going for him, though. He's a unique athlete. Just signed a longterm extension so don't need to worry about him getting pinched for now.
Dacre arriving early Jan.
Newygirl
Adam Woolnough
Holbrook also said this recently too, so who knows
Ok, did not know the contract situation. Thanks for that
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Dylan Brown 'exactly what this team needs right now': Knights star
Can the 25-year-old lift Newcastle into the finals next season?
Article says Crossland is likely to be playing 9 this year.
Crossland talks up Brown and says Brown is the calm voice we need.
Says him and Brown have become good friends and golfing buddies.
Crossland also talks about returning to training last week and says it was like walking into a new club with everyone happy, smiling and positive.
Defence wins games
Todd Bates
New beginnings, and hopefully new connections with better results with time.Dylan Brown 'exactly what this team needs right now': Knights star
Can the 25-year-old lift Newcastle into the finals next season?www.newcastleherald.com.au
Article says Crossland is likely to be playing 9 this year.
Crossland talks up Brown and says Brown is the calm voice we need.
Says him and Brown have become good friends and golfing buddies.
Crossland also talks about returning to training last week and says it was like walking into a new club with everyone happy, smiling and positive.
New hope for us all.
Top four
Good update from Chris Brown, talks about Ponga's rehab process and how Holbrook and Brown are settling in. Says Cody Hopwood has really stuck out from the younger players so far.
I'll try and review games in dot points
A. Johns (under 15's)
Lots of drop ball and discipline issue really impacted getting a proper look at anyone and in the end got rolled by Roosters who controlled ball better and young Knights fatigued in the heat.
When they did hold the ball, they actually looked quite good with plenty of movement off the ball and players able to break tackles.
I don't know many of the players names yet as they're all new, but hopefully they give themselves a better chance to perform in trials in January
There were a Couple big maori looking lads that dominated when they came on - Junior Finau I'm certain was one of them - Fane Finau's brother. Giant of a lad and good ball skills too.
L. Daley (U/16's)
Impressive performance. #11 Finn Murphy was really impressive in line running and defence, huge footy IQ
#10 Aiden Whittickar was quite imposing in earl stages, big boy, must be 6'6 and great offload ability, softened CC Roosters defence up a lot
#9 was very crafty and got forwards onto the ball really effectively.
#13 is a Mason Bartlett clone who we'll see in Matts this year, very effective runner of the ball for a small stature and great defence.
Team was very effective with ball in hand and brutal in defence. Excited to see more of them.
Harold Matthews (U/17's)
team filled with the A.Johns premiership team from this year and a few returning Matts players from the GF this year. They were missing a few of their main stars but were still very strong.
Played very well in the first game, with #9 Zane Hopkins being instrumental in leading the team. He returns to Matts from this years GF team and looks to have gone up in all skill levels and physicality.
#1 Riley Rostron also a returning player was exceptional in his short stint, effective runs and good D organizing. More impressively i was critical this season of his speed and attack, but that has improved immeasurably by looks of things, great maturity and a great try assist.
#10 new comer Kobe McGaughey is the star of the show. This kid is 15 and hits like a ****ing tank and built like a brick **** house. his runs are just effective. He's a real presence and will be one to watch this year.
#2 Nate Vincent 2 tries where he latched onto passes and burnt opposition with his speed, smart defender and strong carries.
#5 Chace Afa from A. Johns this year he was a standout scoring tries and looks to gained plenty of muscle and picked up his speed.
#22 Theo Ballard for A. Johns Northern Tigers was very effective as edge forward, great foot work and strength, makes post contact meters effectively and good ball skills.
#3 Melachi Faavae-Eli very good runner of the bal, quick on his feet and set his winger up with a great run, looked dangerous each time he had the ball.
SG Ball (U/18's)
was a bit of a bludger of a game unfortunately, there were a lot of players I didn't recognise in the team, so I think it was used to give a lot of edge players a run, none of the top players played. Lots of drop balls from both teams so a lot of cobwebs blown out and not a great deal of opportunity for players to shine.
LF CUP
Girls were very strong and impressive with ball in hand and very strong defensively. Most player I'm not sure on names apologies but #8 I believe was Shikynah Pearson who return to LF Cup from this year. looked impressive and fast for a forward, might have been playing some centre as well.
#1 was quite good with carries and some good cut out passes linking to backs for a couple tries.
Roundtable
Adam Muir
Best preseason ever!Dylan Brown 'exactly what this team needs right now': Knights star
Can the 25-year-old lift Newcastle into the finals next season?
Article says Crossland is likely to be playing 9 this year.
Crossland talks up Brown and says Brown is the calm voice we need.
Says him and Brown have become good friends and golfing buddies.
Crossland also talks about returning to training last week and says it was like walking into a new club with everyone happy, smiling and positive.
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Thanks for that.
A lot of the best from Ball will be training with Flegg and even a few with firstgrade, and the first trial is usually where they give fringe players plenty of gametime to see if they are going to make the final squad, so I wouldn't read much into that result. I have a lot of faith in coach Matt Lantry as a development coach. He will give all the players a fair chance to impress and have them playing at their best by the end of the season. I look forward to seeing what he can do with Chase Butler, Toby Winter, Diesal Hagan, Tom Perkins, Roy Simpson etc etc.
Billy
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Dadman Best: Footy boots or boxing gloves for this newborn with ridiculous bloodlines?
'I'm really confident that I know my body now.'
Article about Bradman.
Talks about his new daughter etc.
Usual stuff about him wanting to have an injury free season and make the NSW and Australian sides this year.
Says the team is back on the 5th of Jan and they have a fairly short time together before the Vegas trip, so need to get their combinations sorted.