Final Team | Elimination Final
nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook has confirmed his squad for tonight's Elimination Final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.
Kyle McCarthy comes out of the team this week.
The remainder of the squad is unchanged.
Originally published Tuesday, September 8, 2026:
nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Justin Holbrook has named his 22-man squad for Friday night's Elimination Final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium.
In a massive boost for the squad, Francis Manuleleua has been named to start in the back row.
Manuleleua joins Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Frizell and Dominic Young as returning faces in the team, with the latter duo each returning from suspensions that kept them out of the last clash against the Warriors.
Young's return sees Fletcher Hunt move back to the reserves, while Frizell comes into the front row alongside Cody Hopwood.
Frizell and Hopwood will start up front, with regulars Jacob Saifiti (suspension) and Trey Mooney (scapula) on the sidelines.
Crossland will return to the starting hooker role, with Harrison Graham moving back to the bench.
See the squad below:
Match: Rabbitohs v Knights
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew DuftyFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex JohnstonWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell MitchellCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack WightonCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell GrahamWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody WalkerFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden SullivanHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita TatolaProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
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Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon KoloamatangiProp for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
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Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron MurrayLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye GrayInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan HubnerInterchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean KeppieInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jamie HumphreysInterchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
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Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Adam ElliottReserve for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
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Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 19 Latrell SiegwaltReserve for Knights is number 19 Toby Winter
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
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 |
