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2025 Newcastle Knights season

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2025 Newcastle Knights season
Team information
CEOPhil Gardner
CoachAdam O'Brien
Captain
StadiumMcDonald Jones Stadium
← 2024 2026 →

The 2025 Newcastle Knights season is the club's 38th season in the professional National Rugby League (NRL) football competition in Australia.

Coached by Adam O'Brien and captained by Kalyn Ponga, the club will compete in the NRL's 2025 Telstra Premiership.

Squad

[edit]
Top 30 squad - 2025 NRL season Development list Coaching staff

Extended squad

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 26 April 2025
Source(s): Newcastle Knights Profiles,
Rugby League Project

Transfers and re-signings

[edit]

Gains

[edit]
Player/Coach Previous club Length Source
Taj Annan Queensland Reds 2027 [1]
Matt Arthur Parramatta Eels 2027 [2]
Francis Manuleleua Penrith Panthers 2027 [1]
James Schiller Canberra Raiders 2027 [3]
Tyrone Thompson Chiefs 2025 [4]

Losses

[edit]
Player/Coach Club Source
David Armstrong Leigh Leopards [5]
Jed Cartwright Hull F.C. [6]
Ronald Griffiths (NSW Cup coach) New Zealand Warriors [7]
Zach Herring Featherstone Rovers [8]
Thomas Jenkins Released [9]
Rory Kostjasyn (assistant coach) Dolphins [10]
Krystian Mapapalangi Released [9]
Myles Martin Canberra Raiders [11]
Fletcher Myers South Sydney Rabbitohs [12]
Laitia Moceidreke Released
Ryan Rivett Toulouse Olympique [13]
Daniel Saifiti Dolphins [14]
Enari Tuala Released [9]
[edit]
Player Junior side Source
Wilson De Courcey Jersey Flegg Cup [15]
Cody Hopwood Jersey Flegg Cup [16]
Jermaine McEwen Jersey Flegg Cup [16]
Connor Votano Jersey Flegg Cup [16]

Player contract situations

[edit]
2025 (leaving) 2025 (off-contract) 2026 2027 2028
Leo Thompson[17] Jayden Brailey[18] Tom Cant[19] Taj Annan[1] Cody Hopwood[16]
Paul Bryan[20] Jack Cogger[21] Matt Arthur[2]
Mat Croker[15] Phoenix Crossland[22] Bradman Best[23]
Adam Elliott[24] Wilson De Courcey[15] Dylan Lucas[25]
Jackson Hastings[26] Tyson Frizell[27] Francis Manuleleua[1]
Jack Hetherington[24] Dane Gagai[28] Kyle McCarthy[29]
Brodie Jones[30] Tyson Gamble[31] Jermaine McEwen[16]
Riley Jones[20] Greg Marzhew[32] Kalyn Ponga[33]
Kai Pearce-Paul[34] Fletcher Sharpe[35] Jacob Saifiti[36]
Will Pryce[34] James Schiller[3]
Sebastian Su'a[37]
Tyrone Thompson[4]
Connor Votano[16]

Pre-season

[edit]

Newcastle played the Parramatta Eels in Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters in Gosford as their pre-season fixtures. Both matches were part of the third edition of the NRL Pre-season Challenge.[38]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Round 1: 14 February 2025 Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels Newcastle
18:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 2: 23 February 2025 Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Gosford
16:00 AEDT
Report
Stadium: Industree Group Stadium

Regular season

[edit]

Ladder

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 7 6 0 1 1 174 100 +74 14 Advance to finals series
2 Melbourne Storm 7 5 0 2 1 230 152 +78 12
3 New Zealand Warriors 7 5 0 2 1 144 148 −4 12
4 Brisbane Broncos 8 5 0 3 0 240 162 +78 10
5 Canberra Raiders 7 5 0 2 0 198 152 +46 10
6 North Queensland Cowboys 7 4 0 3 1 166 176 −10 10
7 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 7 4 0 3 0 169 128 +41 8
8 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8 4 0 4 0 210 174 +36 8
9 St. George Illawarra Dragons 7 3 0 4 1 156 164 −8 8
10 South Sydney Rabbitohs 8 4 0 4 0 133 177 −44 8
11 Dolphins 7 3 0 4 0 164 136 +28 6
12 Wests Tigers 7 3 0 4 0 160 148 +12 6
13 Sydney Roosters 8 3 0 5 0 168 220 −52 6
14 Gold Coast Titans 7 2 0 5 1 144 212 −68 6
15 Newcastle Knights 7 2 0 5 1 72 146 −74 6
16 Parramatta Eels 7 2 0 5 1 117 224 −107 6
17 Penrith Panthers 8 2 0 6 0 182 208 −26 4
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2025. Source: National Rugby League

Results by round

[edit]
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
GroundAHAAHHAAHHAAHHAH-HHA-HAHAA
ResultWWLBLLLLBB
Position741089121415
Points24466666
Source: National Rugby League
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]

The league fixtures were released on 21 November 2024.[39]

  Bye   Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Round 1: 7 March 2025 Wests Tigers 8–10 Newcastle Knights Campbelltown
18:00 AEDT
Tries:
Skelton rugby ball 6'
Goals:
Doueihi 2/2 rugby goalposts icon 7', 28 pen'
1st: 8–0
2nd: 0–10
Report
Tries:
Sharpe rugby ball 51'
Marzhew rugby ball 66'
Goals:
Ponga 1/2 rugby goalposts icon 52'
Stadium: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Attendance: 13,160
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Round 2: 13 March 2025 Newcastle Knights 26–12 Dolphins Newcastle
20:00 AEDT
Tries:
Schiller rugby ball 9'13'
Best rugby ball 19'
Gagai rugby ball 27'
Lucas rugby ball 44'
Goals:
Ponga 3/5 rugby goalposts icon 11', 29', 45'
Sin bin:
Pearce-Paul yellow card 68' to 78'
1st: 20–6
2nd: 6–6
Report
Tries:
Nicholls rugby ball 32'
Katoa rugby ball 66'
Goals:
Isaako 2/2 rugby goalposts icon 33', 67'
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 18,531
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Round 3: 22 March 2025 Gold Coast Titans 26–6 Newcastle Knights Gold Coast
18:35 AEST
Tries:
S. Fifita rugby ball 16'
Campbell rugby ball 32'
Fermor rugby ball 54'
D. Fifita rugby ball 67'
Goals:
Campbell 5/6 rugby goalposts icon 17', 39 pen', 46 pen', 56', 69'
1st: 12–0
2nd: 14–6
Report
Tries:
Best rugby ball 74'
Goals:
Ponga 1/1 rugby goalposts icon 75'
Stadium: Cbus Super Stadium
Attendance: 14,602
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Round 4 (Bye for Newcastle Knights)
Round 5: 6 April 2025 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20–0 Newcastle Knights Sydney Olympic Park
18:15 AEST
Tries:
Curran rugby ball 41'
Todd rugby ball 45'
Mann rugby ball 70'
Goals:
Crichton 4/4 rugby goalposts icon 3 pen', 43', 47', 71'
1st: 2–0
2nd: 18–0
Report
Sin bin:
Crossland yellow card 45' to 55'
Stadium: Accor Stadium
Attendance: 24,113
Referee: Ashley Klein
Round 6: 13 April 2025 Newcastle Knights 4–20 Wests Tigers Newcastle
16:05 AEST
Tries:
Sharpe rugby ball 79'
Sin bin:
Gagai yellow card 52' to 62'
1st: 0–14
2nd: 4–6
Report
Tries:
Turuva rugby ball 18'

To'a rugby ball 27'
Bula rugby ball 32'
Doueihi rugby ball 32'
Goals:
Doueihi 2/5 rugby goalposts icon 34', 53 pen'
Sin bin:
To'a yellow card 52' to 62'

Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 25,960
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Round 7: 20 April 2025 Newcastle Knights 14–34 Cronulla Sharks Newcastle
16:05 AEST
Tries:
Marzhew rugby ball 30'

Sharpe rugby ball 70'
Schiller rugby ball 78'
Goals:
Ponga 1/3 rugby goalposts icon 71'
Sin bin:
Schiller yellow card 44' to 54'

1st: 4–16
2nd: 10–18
Report
Tries:
Kaufusi rugby ball 11'

Fonua-Blake rugby ball 16'
Stonestreet rugby ball 21'46'
Kennedy rugby ball 49'
Hiroti rugby ball 73'
Goals:
Hynes 5/6 rugby goalposts icon 13', 18', 47', 50', 75'

Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Attendance: 24,248
Referee: Ashley Klein
Round 8: 25 April 2025 New Zealand Warriors 26-12 Newcastle Knights Christchurch
18:05 AEST
Tries:
Pompey rugby ball 8'71'

Ford rugby ball 28'35'
Egan rugby ball 71'
Goals:
Metcalf 2/4 rugby goalposts icon 10', 36'
Tuaupiki 1/1 rugby goalposts icon 72'
Sin bin:
Niukore yellow card 1' to 11'

1st: 16–0
2nd: 10–12
Report
Tries:
Schiller rugby ball 49'

Jones rugby ball 76'
Goals:
Ponga 2/2 rugby goalposts icon 50', 70'
Sin bin:
Thompson yellow card 4' to 14'

Stadium: Apollo Projects Stadium
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Round 9: 3 May 2025 South Sydney Rabbitohs v Newcastle Knights Brisbane
15:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Round 10: 9 May 2025 Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans Newcastle
18:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 11: 16 May 2025 Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels Newcastle
18:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 12: 24 May 2025 Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights Bathurst
17:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Carrington Park
Round 13: 30 May 2025 St. George-Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights Kogarah
20:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Round 14: 5 June 2025 Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles Newcastle
19:50 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 15: 14 June 2025 Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters Newcastle
17:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 16: 21 June 2025 Dolphins v Newcastle Knights Perth
17:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: HBF Park
Round 17: 27 June 2025 Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders Newcastle
20:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 18 (Bye for Newcastle Knights)
Round 19: 12 July 2025 Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm Newcastle
15:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 20: 20 July 2025 Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors Newcastle
16:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 21: 27 July 2025 Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights Canberra
14:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: GIO Stadium
Round 22 (Bye for Newcastle Knights)
Round 23: 8 August 2025 Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers Newcastle
18:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 24: 17 August 2025 North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights Townsville
16:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Round 25: 24 August 2025 Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos Newcastle
18:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 26: 31 August 2025 Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights Cronulla
14:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Sharks Stadium
Round 27: 7 September 2025 Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights Parramatta
16:05 AEST
Report
Stadium: CommBank Stadium

NRL Women's team

[edit]
2025 Newcastle Knights season
Team information
CEOPhil Gardner
CoachBen Jeffries
Captain
StadiumMcDonald Jones Stadium
← 2024 2026 →

The 2025 Newcastle Knights Women's season will be the 5th in the club's history. Coached by Ben Jeffries and captained by Hannah Southwell, they will compete in the NRLW's 2025 NRL Women's Premiership.

2025 NRLW top 24 squad Development list Coaching staff

Head coach



Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 21 November 2024
Source(s): Newcastle Knights Profiles,
Rugby League Project

Player gains and losses

[edit]
Player gains
Player/Coach Previous club Length Source
Tiana Davison Sydney Roosters 2027 [40]
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala Tweed Heads Seagulls 2025 [41]
Botille Vette-Welsh Wests Tigers 2027 [42]
Losses
Player/Coach Club Source
Laishon Albert-Jones New Zealand Warriors [43]
Rima Butler Sydney Roosters [44]
Jacinta Carter Released [45]
Jayde Herdegen Released [46]
Caitlan Johnston-Green Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks [47]
Tamerah Leati Released [48]
Nita Maynard Released [45]
Abigail Roache Released [45]
Tamika Upton Brisbane Broncos [49]
Promoted juniors
Player Junior side Source
Joeli Morris Knights NSW Women's Premiership [40]

Player contract situations

[edit]
2025 2026 2027
Leilani Ahsam[50] Fane Finau[51] Tiana Davison[40]
Yasmin Clydsdale[52] Olivia Higgins[53] Evie Jones[54]
Sheridan Gallagher[55] Simone Karpani[53] Evah McEwen[56]
Grace Kukutai[40] Jules Kirkpatrick[57] Georgia Roche[58]
Leah Ollerton[53] Joeli Morris[40] Hannah Southwell[59]
Shanice Parker[50] Tayla Predebon[54] Jesse Southwell[59]
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala[41] Kayla Romaniuk[54] Botille Vette-Welsh[42]
Viena Tinao[53] Tenika Willison[60]
Isabella Waterman[53]
Lilly-Ann White[53]

Results by round

[edit]
Round1234567891011
GroundAAHAHHAHAHH
Result
Position
Points
Source: National Rugby League
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

[edit]

The league fixtures were released on 21 November 2024.[61]


  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

Round 1: 4 July 2025 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights Sydney Olympic Park
17:40 AEST
Stadium: Accor Stadium
Round 2: 12 July 2025 North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights Townsville
17:15 AEST
Stadium: Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Round 3: 20 July 2025 Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors Newcastle
18:15 AEST
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 4: 27 July 2025 Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights Granville Park
12:00 AEST
Stadium: Eric Tweedale Stadium
Round 5: 3 August 2025 Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders Newcastle
13:45 AEST
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 6: 9 August 2025 Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers Newcastle
15:15 AEST
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 7: 17 August 2025 Sydney Roosters v Newcastle Knights Gosford
13:45 AEST
Stadium: Industree Group Stadium
Round 8: 24 August 2025 Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos Newcastle
11:50 AEST
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 9: 31 August 2025 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Newcastle Knights Cronulla
11:50 AEST
Stadium: Sharks Stadium
Round 10: 7 September 2025 Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans Newcastle
13:45 AEST
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 11: 14 September 2025 Newcastle Knights v St. George Illawarra Dragons Newcastle
13:45 AEST
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Knights recruit exciting duo". Newcastle Knights. 19 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b Dillon, Robert (21 August 2024). "Who's the odd man out as the Knights sign Eels tyro Matt Arthur?". Port Macquarie News.
  3. ^ a b "Star's blitz shows Raiders what they'll miss; stunning Pangai Jnr return: Reserves wrap". Fox Sports. 27 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b "The Waikato Times". www.waikatotimes.co.nz.
  5. ^ "David Armstrong to join Leopards from 2025 – Leigh Leopards".
  6. ^ McHugh, Robert (16 August 2024). "Jed Cartwright looking forward to the experience of being coached by his dad at Hull FC". TBR Rugby League.
  7. ^ "Griffiths to lead Warriors back into NRLW in 2025". Warriors. 30 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Rovers bring in Australian half Zach Herring for 2025 – Featherstone Rovers Rugby League".
  9. ^ a b c Chalk, Ethan Lee (17 September 2024). "Knights confirm departures of six players". Zero Tackle.
  10. ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (4 October 2024). "Dolphins appoint two new assistant coaches". Zero Tackle.
  11. ^ "Papali'i's surprise contract change as Raiders raid Knights again". The Canberra Times. 22 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Rabbitohs sign Fletcher Myers immediately until the end of Season 2025 – South Sydney Rabbitohs". Site Name, i.e. Moz. 12 October 2024.
  13. ^ "NRL starlet signs for Championship club Toulouse Olympique on two-year contract". Love Rugby League. 17 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Saifiti joins the Dolphins". The Dolphins. 1 October 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "Knights re-sign Mat Croker". Newcastle Knights. 1 October 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Pathways strength on show as key juniors re-sign". Newcastle Knights. 20 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Bulldogs Sign Leo Thompson for 2026". Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. 3 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Extended: Brailey a Knight until 2025". Newcastle Knights. 5 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Young gun extends for two seasons". Newcastle Knights. 27 August 2024.
  20. ^ a b "2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Gamble inks new Knights deal; Townsend joins Roosters". National Rugby League. 5 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Knights sign Cogger". Newcastle Knights. 2 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Knights Re-Sign Crossland". Newcastle Knights. 25 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Knights re-sign Bradman Best". Newcastle Knights. 13 February 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Knights take two big forward steps". Newcastle Knights. 10 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Dylan Lucas re-signs". Newcastle Knights. 25 October 2024.
  26. ^ "Knights sign Jackson Hastings". Newcastle Knights. 16 November 2022.
  27. ^ "Frizell re-signs with the Knights". Newcastle Knights. 27 July 2023.
  28. ^ "Gagai re-signs with the Knights". Newcastle Knights. 10 May 2024.
  29. ^ Dillon, Robert (19 August 2024). "Newcastle Knights rookie Kyle McCarthy reflects on his NRL debut". Newcastle Herald.
  30. ^ "Knights re-sign Brodie Jones". Newcastle Knights. 23 October 2024.
  31. ^ "Knights all in as Gamble re-signs". Newcastle Knights. 5 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Knights extend Marzhew". Newcastle Knights. 30 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Kalyn Ponga Re-Signs". Newcastle Knights. 20 April 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Knights announce English signings". Newcastle Knights. 5 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Knights elevate outside backs". Newcastle Knights. 29 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Knights re-sign Jacob Saifiti". Newcastle Knights. 28 November 2023.
  37. ^ "2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Montoya, Tevaga once were Warriors". National Rugby League. 11 October 2024.
  38. ^ "2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge". National Rugby League. 21 November 2024.
  39. ^ "2025 NRL Telstra Premiership schedule". National Rugby League. 21 November 2024.
  40. ^ a b c d e "Knights secure key NRLW signatures". Newcastle Knights. 23 October 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  42. ^ a b "Knights sign Botille Vette-Welsh". Newcastle Knights. 9 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Albert-Jones: Ron's a coach who genuinely cares". Warriors. 16 September 2024.
  44. ^ "Rima Butler to join the Roosters". Sydney Roosters. 14 October 2024.
  45. ^ a b c "Instagram". www.instagram.com.
  46. ^ "Host of international and NRLW experience bolsters Knights". Newcastle Knights. 10 May 2023.
  47. ^ "World-class Johnston to join Sharks in 2025". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 2 May 2024.
  48. ^ "Knights sign Rugby International for 2024 NRLW season". Newcastle Knights. 31 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Upton Returns Home To The Broncos". Brisbane Broncos. 5 December 2024.
  50. ^ a b "Knights confirm 2024 NRLW squad". Newcastle Knights. 24 May 2024.
  51. ^ "2024 NRLW Signings Tracker: Knights re-sign Willison; Bent extends at Titans". National Rugby League. 11 October 2024.
  52. ^ "Clydsdale commits for Knights NRLW charge". Newcastle Knights. 13 April 2023.
  53. ^ a b c d e f "Knights announce 2024 NRLW signings". Newcastle Knights. 8 December 2023.
  54. ^ a b c "Knights lock in NRLW locals". Newcastle Knights. 19 July 2024.
  55. ^ "Knights re-sign Sheridan Gallagher". Newcastle Knights. 19 January 2024.
  56. ^ "Evah McEwen extends". Newcastle Knights. 10 December 2024.
  57. ^ "Knights secure NRLW rising stars". Newcastle Knights. 11 September 2024.
  58. ^ "NRLW, Newcastle Knights, Georgia Roche, Telstra Hersday, English star talks about the biggest move of her life | Knights". Newcastle Knights. 20 July 2023.
  59. ^ a b "Home is where the heart is for Southwell sisters". Newcastle Knights. 19 April 2023.
  60. ^ "Knights re-sign Tenika Willison". Newcastle Knights. 11 October 2024.
  61. ^ "2025 NRLW Telstra Women's Premiership Schedule". National Rugby League. 21 November 2024.