True to his word, Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook will rest his “big guns” from the Knights’ first trial of 2026 this weekend.

And, while Kalyn Ponga, Dylan Brown, Phoenix Crossland, Bradman Best, Dominic Young and Dylan Lucas are spectators for the clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons, the Hunter mentor has still named a strong 28-man squad.

That’s headed by new recruits Sandon Smith, who’ll partner Fletcher Sharpe in the halves, Trey Mooney, Asu Kepaoa, Peter Hola and the returning Pasami Saulo.

They will join established players Fletcher Hunt, James Schiller, Kyle McCarthy, Greg Marzhew, Jacob Saifiti, Thomas Cant, Jermaine McEwen, Tyson Frizell, Tyson Gamble, Mat Croker, Matthew Arthur, Brodie Jones and Cody Hopwood.

Holbrook’s also given up-and-comers Wilson De Courcey, Harrison Graham, Connor Votano, Sosaia Latu, Logan Aoake, Matthew Hunter, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Francis Manuleleua and Lachlan Crouch an opportunity to impress, too.

The match takes place at Kogarah’s Jubilee Oval on Saturday 7 February from 7.30pm.

Newcastle will then tackle the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium a week later.

TRIAL TEAMS

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons

• Newcastle Knights (squad): Fletcher Hunt, James Schiller, Kyle McCarthy, Wilson De Courcey, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Jacob Saifiti, Harrison Graham, Trey Mooney, Thomas Cant, Jermaine McEwen, Tyson Frizell; interchange: Tyson Gamble, Mat Croker, Matthew Arthur, Pasami Saulo; reserves: Brodie Jones, Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano, Sosaia Latu, Asu Kepaoa, Logan Aoake, Matthew Hunter, Peter Hola, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Francis Manuleleua, Lachlan Crouch
• St George Illawarra Dragons (squad): Tyrell Sloan, Christian Tuipulotu, David Fale, Mathew Feagai, Setu Tu, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kade Reed, Josh Kerr, Haele Finau, Toby Couchman, Ryan Couchman, Jacob Halangahu, Hame Sele; interchange: Tyler Peckham-Harris, Charles Heidke, Hayden Buchanan, Nick Tsougranis; reserves: Joseph O’Neill, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Isaiah Fagalilo, Blake Lawrie, Dylan Coutts, Cyrus Stanley-Traill, Ryan Hutchinson

For more sports stories:

• Newcastle to host four Rugby World Cup fixtures
• GALLERY… Historic weekend pushed to background as Jets face tough time on the road
• Doing it by half: The Newcastle production line that slowed

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