Brothers in arms: Siblings who played for the Knights

The nib Newcastle Knights are widely regarded as a family club and understandably, have featured multiple players who share more than just the same surname.

Here is a list of the brothers who have featured for the Knights over the years.

Matthew and Andrew Johns

Let’s start with the obvious and most iconic. The two brothers from Cessnock are often touted as two of the greatest the region has ever produced and played a pivotal role in securing the club’s first ever Premiership in 1997.

Between the two they played 425 games in the red and blue before the eldest, Matty, moved on to new pastures with Warrington and Cronulla for the back-end of his career. Meanwhile, Joey went on to cement his name in the history books with a second Premiership for Newcastle and went on to be named the eighth Immortal.

Matthew and Kurt Gidley

Two more local products who plied their junior trade for Wests Newcastle before stepping up to their beloved Knights, where they debuted five years apart.

Matt, the eldest, featured heavily as part of both the 1997 and 2001 Premiership winning sides, while Kurt became a cornerstone of the club throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, captaining the squad for 123 games (The most of any Knights player). He also went on to captain his state and earned 12 caps for Australia.

Both men finished their careers in the English Super League.

Wes and Kevin Naiqama

Two Fijian internationals, the Naiqama's only played a few games alongside one another. Wes, who was originally signed from St. George-Illawarra Dragons, spent 75 games and the bulk of his career in red and blue, even captaining the team on two occasions.

Kevin debuted at the Club, playing out 15 games in his four years at the Knights before moving on to Penrith in 2014.

Tariq and Korbin Sims

Another set of Fijian representative brothers to make an impact at the club, younger brother Korbin, who featured in the red and blue on 76 occasions, was joined by Tariq in 2015.

From there both became key cogs in the machine with Tariq captaining the side in eight matches before the two eventually left the club at the end of 2016.

Craig and Brett Kimmorley

Originally from Belmont, NSW, the Kimmorleys progressed through the junior ranks with Craig debuting in early 1995 at halfback, before then being replaced by his younger brother, Brett, later on that year.

Craig played just two games and Brett only six, as they both moved on to new pastures early in their careers.

Daniel and Jacob Saifiti

The only two current players on this list and the only two that are twins.

The twin-towers became the first-ever twins to debut in the same game back in 2016 and have now played 139 games between them, with Jacob becoming a consistent part of the first-grade squad and Daniel firing himself into the winning NSW Blues squad last year.

The two young Fijian internationals will be looking to continue their growth and development in the hope of pushing the Knights into a successful new era.

Brock and Blake Mueller

Probably two of the lesser known names on this list, the Belmont-native Mueller brothers spent a combined total of 21 games at the club. 

Older brother Brock played six games over 1998 and 1999, before later watching his younger brother play 15 games at the club between 2003 and 2005. 

Adam, Ben and Luke MacDougall

While Adam MacDougall has become part of club folklore with two premierships and 87 tries, what most people don’t remember is his younger brothers, Ben and Luke, both made appearances as well.

Both only featured on two occasions in the red and blue – Ben in 2000 and Luke seven years later – but it was Adam who made a legacy with his 158 games over two stints that saw him also play 11 games for both New South Wales and Australia.

Peter, Chanel, Sione and Pat Mata’utia

The ‘awesome foursome’ of the Knights. Since older brother Peter’s debut in 2011, the four Mata’utia brothers all featured at some point with Sione, the youngest, the only man still currently playing.

Unfortunately, we never got to see all four on the field at the same time, with three being the most ever fielded in a game.  

A highlight for the family was in 2014, where Chanel and Sione combined for five tries (Chanel 3, Sione 2) in the side’s 42-12 win at home over Parramatta.