The Newcastle Knights have put together one of the most impressive turnarounds in rugby league history during 2026, and with a stable squad moving forward, will now look to build on that.
The Knights might have picked up the wooden spoon in 2025, but Justin Holbrook's side had no such issues in 2026.
A top eight contender for much of the campaign, a horror run of injuries at the back end threatened to tank their season, only for Newcastle to make the best of a bad situation and fight their way to the grand final.
A scrap to make the grand final is exactly what it was for the Knights, and they continued that dogged determination come the decider before eventually falling short against the Roosters.
A season of over achievement for Justin Holbrook's side now gives way to a positive outlook for the future, with a very stable squad and excellent talent on the way through.
Here is the state of play for the Knights ahead of November 1.
Current 2028 squad
Dylan Brown, Thomas Cant, Phoenix Crossland, Lachlan Crouch, Diesel Hagan, Peter Hola, Matthew Hunter, Dylan Lucas, Francis Manuleleua, Greg Marzhew, Jermaine McEwen, Trey Mooney, Marata Niukore, Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Wil Sullivan, Toby Winter, Dominic Young
Off-contract at the end of 2027
Matt Arthur, Bradman Best, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Peter Hola, Fletcher Hunt, Asu Kepaoa, Jacob Saifiti, Elijah Salesa Leaumoana, Pasami Saulo, James Schiller
Current 2028 best 19
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dominic Young
3. Fletcher Sharpe
4. Toby Winter
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Dylan Brown
7. Sandon Smith
8. Trey Mooney
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Peter Hola
11. Dylan Lucas
12. Francis Manuleleua
13. Marata Niukore
Interchange
14. Wil Sullivan
15. Thomas Cant
16. Lachlan Crouch
17. Jermaine McEwen
18. Matthew Hunter
19. Diesel Hagan
The opening of the free agency window isn't immediately an enormous concern for the Hunter-based outfit.
They already have 20 players locked up for 2028, and will be able to sit back to pick and choose their spots as they please.
Ultimately, the Knights have a great crop of young talent on the way through, and recruits could be limited for 2028 given the state of their squad, although Holbrook and his recruitment staff will be forced to ward off the comments they overachieved, and continue looking for an edge that might help them across the line in the biggest club match of the season.
Certainly, they will want extra enforcements in the forward, and with Bradman Best's future currently up in the air, potentially another insurance policy or two in the back five.
Salary cap is tight for the Knights given their big-money deals, and so, with that being said, here are five potential targets for the Knights from November 1.
Option 4: Cooper Bai (Gold Coast Titans)
Cooper Bai has already confirmed he will leave the Titans at the end of the 2027 NRL season, with his management confirming they won't sign another deal on the glitter strip.
Reports so far are that the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm and PNG Chiefs are the interested parties, but it wouldn't be a massive shocker if other clubs dipped their toe in the water to test interest.
The Knights do have Mat Croker at the lock role, although there is a good chance he could either play prop, or be squeezed out by the salary cap moving forward.
That could pave the way for Bai, who ball plays better than Croker, to slot into the number 13 jumper if the Knights were to make a play.
Money will be the question, but the Knights could find a way to make it work.
