The Knights will play in the NRL finals in 2026, completing an incredible turnaround from wooden spooners to top four hopefuls with a 36–26 victory over the Gold Coast that leaves them guaranteed to finish with at least 34 points.
Not only that, but the club is even in touching distance of finishing somewhere in the top four, which would give them a double chance in finals in September.
To give themselves the best chance, Newcastle only has to beat the Sea Eagles at home this weekend, then the Warriors in Auckland, before a last-round bye. (The Dolphins and Sharks will need to lose some games, too.)
Head coach Justin Holbrook said locking in finals was “pleasing” – though he also added the whole club “thought we’d play finals since round one.”
“Nothing’s really changed. We’re keen to play at home against Manly and then away against the Warriors, then I’ll look to the finals. For now we’ll just enjoy the win,” he said.
“We just have to keep winning and see what happens, that’s what we’re chasing,” he added on the team’s top four hopes. “It’s always there.”
Just as importantly for the red and blue faithful, at least one home final is well and truly in the mix. The last time the Knights played a postseason match at McDonald Jones Stadium was in 2023, in that famous 30–28 extra time thriller against the Raiders.
That was a sell-out event, and any home final would be odds-on to sell out again this year.
More stories like this:
- Northstars punch ticket to AIHL finals
- Jets lock in Emma Dundas, Georgia Ritchie
- Hunter golfer Joshua Fuller joins professional ranks
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
