The pre-season 2026 thread

Is it wrong to think they don’t deserve the extra help it’s not a borderline 3rd world country it’s Perth. The bears group has been trying to get their bid considered for as long as I can remember surely they could line up 3rd parties and things like housing etc that other clubs probably can’t offer.
 
Brad tighe said:
Unfortunately I don’t think Aoake is going to make nrl. Almost got a few games last year. Doesn’t appear to be in the top 30 or in development anymore.
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Aoake also had a 10 week injury from a hip drop and still I think by end of last year he had jumped McCarthy on ability as a centre or winger. He’s only young and I really think he has a better ceiling than McCarthy who might end up in the back row.

He’s only young and fairly sure he’s on a Train and Trial deal, possibly just a Cup tier one. To be fair they probably have plans to debut DeCourcey, Seve, Latu and Gow over him in the future. But wouldn’t knock his chances this year or to continue being a great contributor in Cup. I really like him.
 
Aoake and Toby Winter seem pretty similar players - but Toby is about 2 years younger and bigger and a bit more elusive - they are both pretty fast and both play fullback, wing and centre.
Aoake is still young enough for Flegg this year, but needs a big year in reserve grade I think.
Aoake was an Australian schoolboy 2 years ago and Winter made 2 rep sides last year I think - country under 18s and I can't remember if he made Aus Schoolboys or NSW under 19s - one of them.
 
So the kid who came from nowhere in 2024 was Fletcher Sharpe.
Kid who came from nowhere in 2025 was Jermaine McEwen with Fletcher Hunt not far behind.

2026 could be Cody Hopwood, Wilson DeCourcey, Connor Votano, Francis Manuleleua, Lachlan Crouch or maybe someone we haven't considered yet.

Francis is the most left field option - he is literally the size of a prop with the speed and agility of a winger, but struggles to last long minutes as a second row. I keep thinking I'd love to see if he can catch a high ball and if he could run the ball up like Marzhew if they put him on the wing - he is 10cm taller and 6kg heavier than Marzhew and I'd back him in a match race.
 
Wicket said:
Finally someone who looks at our roster, understands what our coaching structures may be like and makes an informed, educated opinion on the Knights, rather than the usual blind and dumb dribble we usually get
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Yes I think an element of this true, but also some bias coming from Luke Keary, as he has worked with Holbrook and Sandon.

How year hinges on mainly how our established forwards perform and how the new/young guys step up. We’ve seen how good brown is of the forward pack is on top. Plus a good run with minimal injuries.
 
frankLauda said:
Yes I think an element of this true, but also some bias coming from Luke Keary, as he has worked with Holbrook and Sandon.

How year hinges on mainly how our established forwards perform and how the new/young guys step up. We’ve seen how good brown is of the forward pack is on top. Plus a good run with minimal injuries.
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I don’t think our forward pack is that bad. It’s just that the guys we do have haven’t been exposed to the general nrl fan yet
 
www.newcastleherald.com.au

Knights rookie watch: Part 1 - the debutants; who excelled, who needs more time and who's gone already

What's next for the class of 2025?
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au

Article titled rookie watch part 1
Says we had 13 players have their Knights debut last season and 8 of them were NRL debutants.

Lists who is staying and who is going.

Staying;
Schiller, McEwen, Matt Arthur, Hunt, ESL, Votano, Hopwood.

Leaving;
Tyrone Thompson, Bryan, Greacen, Jake Arthur.

It says Part 2 of rookie watch will look at players who are looking to debut for the Knights next year - which should include everyone from Dylan Brown down to Aoake and Wil Sullivan I suppose.
 
What McKinney says about the rookies who are staying.

Schiller - says we saw both the good and the bad he showed at Canberra. Says he needs to improve to make firstgrade this year, but is good backup.

McEwen - Says he had a great first year and it's possible he could be our starting second row next season.

Matt Arthur - says he is 20 and has played 19 games of reserve grade each of the last 2 years and well as playing some firstgrade - so has over 40 games of seniors already.

Hunt - says he is 19 and came from nowhere last year to impress in several positions - but will only be injury cover again.

ESL - says he showed he is very tough and willing, but it is hard to see where he fits in next season.

Votano - 19 year old with great potential, but will need to move to wing or centre to be any chance.

Hopwood - 19 year old with a great future who could even force his way into the team next year.
 
www.newcastleherald.com.au

Knights rookie watch: Who's closing in on an NRL debut?

PART TWO: The prospects - players eyeing off a first-grade debut in 2026
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au


Part 2 of rookie watch is in the Herald this morning.

Only lists guys already in our junior system, and gives a good case for all but 1 being a chance to debut in 2026. The last named is Toby Winter and he is only considered a chance to play reserve grade.
Listed in order they were in the article;

Wilson DeCourcey - says his try scoring in reserves last year shows there is little reason to not give him a chance

Lachlan Crouch - says he was bought last year to address our lack of middles and is being overlooked by fans

Francis Manuleleua - quotes POS as saying he is one of the most talented players he has seen and says he was players player in reserves 2025

Wil Sullivan - Says he was the first POS signing on a 4 year deal and has had injury set backs

Toby Winter - says he was playing Flegg as a 17 year old in 2025 and describes his incredible talent and athleticism - says he won the AJ medal in 2025 as our best in Ball and played for Aus Schoolboys.

It's a full page article and gives all those guys a very comprehensive write up.
 
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I know we have all gotten ahead of ourselves in the past when talking up rookies.

But, it does seem that POS has stacked our junior rosters with some great talent, and at least some of those have got to pan out. By the sounds of it, we have 3-4 good centres and a few more wings chomping at the bit to get into first in the next 2-3 years. Great.

Look @ our current middles, yes we have all thought it looks light on, but there is a good chance that these boys take the bull by the horns and smash it. Hopefully these young top 30 boys and those in the lower grades continue to impress.

Again it only has to be 1-2 out of each position to shine and we are winning. Don't think that POS won't continue to shuffle players in and out of the roster if he sees someone better or more promising that he can get.

2026 isn't the year, but we should move up the ladder a fair way. 2027-8 I think we can be top 4-6.

Front of house finally looks to have pulled their finger out of their arses. Now to sort the womens side out.
 
Going off the current topic, I just hope we are putting in the hard yards fitness wise.

Holkbrook and his team seem pretty happy go lucky.
 
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