The pre-season 2026 thread

It’s still up to that player, Marzhew, Hunt, whoever to agree to transfer.
Yes we want to improve our roster but we should be considering those signed, moving them on can have other ramifications down the track
 
By the looks of the team photos today, they had the all teams training day today, but only went down to Flegg and Tarsha Gale - no really young kids.
Pity - one of my favourite photos from those days was Robbie O putting Connor Votano through a drill when Votano was about 15.
 
Billy said:
By the looks of the team photos today, they had the all teams training day today, but only went down to Flegg and Tarsha Gale - no really young kids.
Pity - one of my favourite photos from those days was Robbie O putting Connor Votano through a drill when Votano was about 15.
Click to expand...
Tom Perkins, Kade Paton, Ollie Larence and co were all there. So down to the usual Hmatts, possibly even A.Johns
 
www.newcastleknights.com.au

Holbrook; "I'm really proud to be part of this"

nib Newcastle Knights head coach Justin Holbrook addresses the media during the 2026 club day.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

- Unsure if Ponga will play a trial but seems on track for round 1 at the latest. Sounds like Dom is on a similar timeline but didn't specifically say. Sharpe is back to doing full-contact
- Still non-committal on who the halves will be but very plainly says Sharpe won't be playing wing. Says he hasn't trained there at all. Smith has been mostly training in the halves with Sharpe (and Ponga) sidelined but will be getting runs at hooker as things ramp us as well.
- Talks up Gamble as a utility.
 
mullenmagic said:
www.newcastleknights.com.au

Holbrook; "I'm really proud to be part of this"

nib Newcastle Knights head coach Justin Holbrook addresses the media during the 2026 club day.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

- Unsure if Ponga will play a trial but seems on track for round 1 at the latest. Sounds like Dom is on a similar timeline but didn't specifically say. Sharpe is back to doing full-contact
- Still non-committal on who the halves will be but very plainly says Sharpe won't be playing wing. Says he hasn't trained there at all. Smith has been mostly training in the halves with Sharpe (and Ponga) sidelined but will be getting runs at hooker as things ramp us as well.
- Talks up Gamble as a utility.
Click to expand...
If we go into round 1 without Smith 7 and Brown 6, I take back all the nice things I’ve said about Holbrook being a smart coach.
 
Here’s my thoughts that no one cares for:
- Trading Marzhew for Moretti would be top tier stupid, imagine we get to round 5 and realise we don’t have enough go forward and we let go of one of the best meter eaters in the comp for a bang average middle…
- Glad Holbrook see’s Sharpe as wasted on the wing, needs to be 1, 6, 7 or 14 imo. Will only get better in a key position.
- Centre isn’t an option for Sharpe until Gags or Best are either retired or injured, Gags can’t be moved to the wing with his lack of pace these days.
- Looking forward to Hopwood’s upcoming year, genuinely think he will lock down a bench role.
- Jokingly or not how about we save the coach bashing until after he’s coached games, can’t call him smart or dumb on his decisions after watching a team do a full pre season while we’ve seen minimal footage, that would be regarded more dumb in my books…
 
Junior said:
- Glad Holbrook see’s Sharpe as wasted on the wing, needs to be 1, 6, 7 or 14 imo. Will only get better in a key position.
Click to expand...
Holbrook has made it very clear he's looked at all the footage of Sharpe and he's a massive fan.
I don't think Sharpe would ever want to leave the Knights, but if we don't find a high paying spine position for him, he'd be a fool to ignore the 16 or so clubs who would offer him big money to play 1 or 6. Talk of Sharpe on the wing is crazy talk.
As I said months ago, to massive disapproval, I'd start him as 6 or 7 in reserve grade if we are in the unlikely position of having everyone fit for round one - just to work on the skills he will need to improve for the rest of his career.
 
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Junior said:
Here’s my thoughts that no one cares for:
- Trading Marzhew for Moretti would be top tier stupid, imagine we get to round 5 and realise we don’t have enough go forward and we let go of one of the best meter eaters in the comp for a bang average middle…
- Glad Holbrook see’s Sharpe as wasted on the wing, needs to be 1, 6, 7 or 14 imo. Will only get better in a key position.
- Centre isn’t an option for Sharpe until Gags or Best are either retired or injured, Gags can’t be moved to the wing with his lack of pace these days.
- Looking forward to Hopwood’s upcoming year, genuinely think he will lock down a bench role.
- Jokingly or not how about we save the coach bashing until after he’s coached games, can’t call him smart or dumb on his decisions after watching a team do a full pre season while we’ve seen minimal footage, that would be regarded more dumb in my books…
Click to expand...
I’d send Schiller personally.
 
mullenmagic said:
www.newcastleknights.com.au

Holbrook; "I'm really proud to be part of this"

nib Newcastle Knights head coach Justin Holbrook addresses the media during the 2026 club day.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au

- Unsure if Ponga will play a trial but seems on track for round 1 at the latest. Sounds like Dom is on a similar timeline but didn't specifically say. Sharpe is back to doing full-contact
- Still non-committal on who the halves will be but very plainly says Sharpe won't be playing wing. Says he hasn't trained there at all. Smith has been mostly training in the halves with Sharpe (and Ponga) sidelined but will be getting runs at hooker as things ramp us as well.
- Talks up Gamble as a utility.
Click to expand...
Not much of that fills me with confidence lol
 
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