Final Team | Round 25
nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed his squad for this afternoon's Old Boys Day clash against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Pasami Saulo comes out of the side this week.
Cody Hopwood has been promoted to the starting team, with Jacob Saifiti making his return from injury off the bench.
Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana comes onto the six man bench in Saulo's place.
The remainder of the side is unchanged.
Originally published Tuesday, August 18, 2026:
nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook has named his 22-man squad for Saturday afternoon's Old Boys Day clash against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium.
In a massive boost just two games out from the finals series, both Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti have been named to make their respective returns from injury.
Saifiti's return sees Cody Hopwood move back to the interchange bench.
In further news, Holbrook has confirmed both Francis Manuleleua and Dane Gagai will not play this weekend.
Manuleleua will miss this week due to the late on-set of concussion symptoms and has begun standard concussion protocols, while Gagai has been sidelined with a hamstring strain suffered in last week’s win over the Titans.
Fletcher Hunt will start at centre in Gagai's place, while Tyson Frizell comes into the starting team at back-row in place of Manuleleua.
See the squad below:
Match: Knights v Sea Eagles
Round 25 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Fletcher HuntCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Clayton Faulalo
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Simione Laiafi
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon Wakeham
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Prop for Knights is number 15 Cody HopwoodProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Nathan Brown
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nicholas Lenaz
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Caleb Navale
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh Feledy
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Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 16 Corey Waddell
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Toby WinterReserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Fletcher Baker
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Reserve for Knights is number 22 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
The nib Newcastle Knights would like to thank our proud Club 17 partners for bringing you this week's team list:
| Jersey 1 presented by: | Honeywell Capital |
| Jersey 2 presented by: | Palmerbet |
| Jersey 3 presented by: | East Coast Building & Pest Services |
| Jersey 4 presented by: | Hunter Imaging |
| Jersey 5 presented by: | Hunter City Motor Group |
| Jersey 6 presented by: | Greg Tapp Printing |
| Jersey 7 presented by: | Etch Couriers |
| Jersey 8 presented by: | Prime Edge Caravans |
| Jersey 9 presented by: | NEX |
| Jersey 10 presented by: | Newcastle Airport |
| Jersey 11 presented by: | Caltex |
| Jersey 12 presented by: | Bella Group Services |
| Jersey 13 presented by: | NBN News |
| Jersey 14 presented by: | Reward Hospitality |
| Jersey 15 presented by: | The Executive Inn |
| Jersey 16 presented by: | Guardian Safety Solutions |
| Jersey 17 presented by: | Balance Collective |
