Enforcer Leo Thompson will return to boost the Newcastle Knights’ forward stocks ahead of the side’s vital clash with the Melbourne Storm this weekend.
The rampaging front-rower, who’s off to the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in 2026, recently served a four-game suspension.
And, his presence in the engine room has certainly been missed over the past month.
Even though Newcastle’s won two matches since then, against the Manly Sea Eagles (26-22) and Dolphins (26-20), the outfit’s suffered a couple of losses, at the hands of the Sydney Roosters (12-8) and Canberra Raiders (22-18), too.
As a result, the Knights sit in 13th spot on the ladder.
Fellow prop Jacob Saifiti, only just back from injury himself, admitted he was keen to play alongside Thompson again at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 12 July.
“Leo brings a lot to our team,” he said.
“We haven’t played much footy at all together this year… it seems like when one of us is in, the other’s out.
“But, from the handful of games we’ve played together in 2025, we’ve gone pretty well.
“In our absence, I think the young boys have produced some really good footy.
“I’m sure they are happier now with the experience I bring.
“However, the guys were doing a good job before I came back.
“It’s been very frustrating.
“I’m probably not the best person to watch footy with on the sideline.
“I can be pretty vocal because I’m obviously passionate about this team.
“In saying that, there were times I was cheering them on loudly, especially when they played Manly.
“I couldn’t be more impressed with how the likes of Tom Cant, Jermaine McEwen and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana have gone about their roles.”
In other news, coach Adam O’Brien has named Fletcher Hunt in the No. 1 jersey, with Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe unavailable, while Phoenix Crossland packs in as hooker.
The match kicks off at 3pm.
Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm
(McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday 12 July)
- Newcastle Knights: 1. Fletcher Hunt, 2. Dom Young, 3. Dane Gagai (c), 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Tyson Frizell (c); interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Mat Croker, 16. Jermaine McEwen, 17. Brodie Jones; extended bench: 18. Tom Cant, 19. James Schiller, 20. Tyson Gamble, 21. Jack Hetherington, 22. Kyle McCarthy
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