Newcastle entered 2025 with expectations of finishing somewhere around the edge of the top eight.
Instead, the Knights crashed to an unexpected wooden spoon, a result that stunned the fanbase and ended the tenure of head coach Adam O'Brien.
The squad was never short on talent. At their best they defended with grit and scrambled hard, but a failure to build consistent combinations in the spine, constant reshuffling of key positions, a drop in confidence, and an inability to finish attacking sets left them stuck in a cycle of close losses and late-game collapses.
The club has responded with a major recruitment drive. Dylan Brown arrives on a ten-year, thirteen-million-dollar mega-deal. Trey Mooney joins to stiffen the middle rotation. Sandon Smith comes from the Roosters to add creativity, depth and a reliable goal-kicking option. Dominic Young has returned mid-season to reclaim his right-wing spot. With Bradman Best, Dylan Lucas, Phoenix Crossland and Fletcher Sharpe already in place, the Knights now have the makings of a top-eight roster on paper.
These are the five players who must rise for Newcastle to return to finals football.
1. Jacob Saifiti
Why his role is so important
Jacob Saifiti is now the senior figure in a middle rotation that has lost major experience and physicality. With Trey Mooney arriving to add competition and energy, Saifiti becomes the cornerstone of Newcastle's go-forward.
At his best he is one of the hardest front-rowers to handle in the NRL. His leadership, size and presence in the middle are crucial.
What must improve
Saifiti's output fluctuated too much in 2025. Newcastle need consistent metres, strong defensive intensity and disciplined aggression. He needs to own the middle third the way elite front-rowers do. The Knights have seen his best at Origin level. They need that version every week.
