Newcastle Knights 2025 season preview
2024 recap
The Knights made the finals for the fourth time in five seasons in 2024, as they continued their push for a first Premiership since 2001.
They never looked a realistic chance of going all the way, particularly with star man, Kalyn Ponga, missing a chunk of the year with injury, but it was another encouraging season for Newcastle regardless.
2024 position: 8th (Lost 28-16 to North Queensland Cowboys in week one of finals)
Key signings
Taj Annan (Rugby union), Matt Arthur (Parramatta Eels), Francis Manuleleua (Penrith Panthers), James Schiller (Canberra Raiders), Siteni Taukamo (Cronulla Sharks)
Key departures
David Armstrong (Leigh Leopards), Tom Jenkins (Released), Myles Martin (Canberra Raiders), Fletcher Myers (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daniel Saifiti (Dolphins), Enari Tuala (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Players to watch
England international Kai Pearce-Paul had a solid if unspectacular first year Down Under, but there’s plenty more to come from him. An injury-disrupted start to 2024 had a knock-on effect for the former Wigan man, but with a full pre-season under his belt this year, he’ll be a major strike weapon for the Knights.
2025 feels like it could be a make or break year for fellow Englishman Will Pryce. The 22 year-old only played five times in 2024 and his patchy form saw him spend most of the season in reserve grade. With Jackson Hastings appearing to be frozen out at Newcastle though, it’s one less player to get past in the halves, but he’ll need to impress quickly if he’s to have a long-term future at the club.
Young gun
Matt Arthur is yet another Parramatta junior who felt his future lay elsewhere. In fairness, his early release was as much to do with his Dad being sacked as head coach as it was a desire for more first grade opportunities. Either way, it’s a win-win for the Knights, who snapped up the 20 year-old hooker on a three year contract. Arthur made three appearances for the Eels in 2024, and I’d expect him to get some more first grade opportunities this year.
Our prediction – 10th
I’m expecting the Knights to hover around the top eight again this year, but I think they’ll fall just short. One of their issues in 2024 was a lack of a recognised halves pairing, and it doesn’t look as though anything’s changed heading into the new campaign.
