After finishing the 2025 NRL season in last place, the Newcastle Knights will need to rely on the next generation of young players coming through the ranks as they aim to return to the finals under Justin Holbrook and claim the first premiership since 2001.
Over the past couple of years, the likes of Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano, Fletcher Hunt, Fletcher Sharpe and Jermaine McEwen have been introduced to the NRL after successfully progressing through the club's ranks.
So...who's next?
7. Wil Sullivan
Although he has struggled with multiple head knocks as of late, there is no denying that Wil Sullivan has the potential to be an NRL-calibre player and has already drawn comparisons to former Australia and NSW Blues front-rower David Klemmer.
Previously at the North Queensland Cowboys - where he also struggled with multiple injury issues - Sullivan can play as an athletic back-rower or as a towering presence in the middle of the field in the front-row.
Still only 21, the former Under-19s Queensland Maroons representative made five tackle busts, two offloads, 215 tackles and 614 running metres in 11 NSW Cup appearances during the 2025 season.
I often scratch my head and wonder why clubs that are no chance for the eight do not admit that once they have passed the half-way point of the season, and start giving their youngsters some decent game time.