'Special': 475 stadium staff to don beanies for annual NRL round
All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years.
"When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said.
"That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have.
"We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding.
"The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff."
Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support.
"To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said.
The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year.
"We've come a long way," he said.
"We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen."
"I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there.
"It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special."
Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round.
"Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said.
"We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000.
"I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing.
"It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation."
McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round.
All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years.
"When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said.
"That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have.
"We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding.
"The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff."
Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support.
"To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said.
The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year.
"We've come a long way," he said.
"We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen."
"I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there.
"It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special."
Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round.
"Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said.
"We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000.
"I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing.
"It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation."
McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round.
All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years.
"When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said.
"That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have.
"We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding.
"The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff."
Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support.
"To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said.
The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year.
"We've come a long way," he said.
"We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen."
"I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there.
"It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special."
Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round.
"Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said.
"We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000.
"I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing.
"It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation."
McDonald Jones Stadium will be a sea of purple and grey on Friday for the annual Beanie for Brain Cancer NRL round.
All 475 stadium staff, including security guards, ticket attendants and food and beverage workers, will don a beanie when the Knights take on the Raiders at home. The bulk purchase equates to more than $10,000 raised for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
It's the first time stadium owner Venues NSW has bought beanies for all staff, having supported the fundraiser in other ways in previous years.
"When it all started to really kick off, we used to put the beanie sign out on the front of the venue and rename the stadium for beanie round," Mr Mantle said.
"That was obviously great for building awareness when it was required, but as the foundation has grown, it's now naturally recognised, so it probably hasn't got the cut through that it used to have.
"We looked at an opportunity to see how we could better reinvest that funding.
"The best way we thought we could do that was to invest in the beanies, so we've purchased a beanie for every single event staff."
Mark Hughes said he was very grateful for the support.
"To see every staff member wearing our beanies here next Friday night will just make it that much more special," he said.
The event will also be boosted by the arrival of participants on the annual Big Three trek, who walk from Sydney to McDonald Jones Stadium over three days, as well as Scott Hingston, who is running 1100km from Melbourne to Newcastle. Both initiatives have each raised more than $50,000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Hughes said the beanies fundraiser had gone from strength to strength each year.
"We've come a long way," he said.
"We've learned so much, and without the support of the good people who buy our beanies and support us in different ways, it doesn't happen."
"I just see the beanies everywhere. People walk on the beach, walk on the streets. It's really overwhelming to see the support out there.
"It's all about giving hope to brain cancer. So, people wearing their old beanies, people buying new beanies, it really is special."
Mr Mantle is expecting a solid crowd for the much-loved NRL round.
"Fortunately for us at the moment, the Knights are very well supported," he said.
"We're on an average of just below 20,000 per game. So I'd expect well above 20,000.
"I hope everybody comes in with the beanie on or if they don't have already have one, they purchase one on the night. I think it'll be amazing.
"It's incredible to see how big this has gotten, and no doubt it could get so much bigger thanks to the work that Mark and Kirralee do with the foundation."
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'Best I've seen': new faces, code-hoppers show Knights can contend for title
They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench. They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench. They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench. They were considered the team to beat entering the past two seasons, but how will a new-look Knights squad fare in an expanded 12-team competition in 2025? There is no denying the off-season losses have been big, most notably Dally M Medallist and two-time Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the grand final Tamika Upton, and a wealth of experience has moved on. Coach Ben Jeffries, in his second year at the helm, looks to have turned to mostly untapped talent and home-grown prospects this campaign. They will be complemented by a core group of exceptional players, which includes prodigious halfback Jesse Southwell. Newcastle launch a new era against newcomers Canterbury Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night. In a short amount of time, the Knights have quickly become one of the competition heavyweights. After collecting the wooden spoon in their maiden campaign, they claimed grand final glory in 2022 with a host of high-profile signings. They backed it up in emphatic fashion in 2023, claiming the club's first NRLW minor title before defending their premiership crown. Last year, they had a huge target on their backs. They scraped into the top four after six wins and three losses and bowed out in the semi-finals to eventual champions the Sydney Roosters. This year, the competition expands from nine to 11 rounds with the additions of the Bulldogs and the New Zealand Warriors, and there will be a top-six finals series instead of top four. Upton is widely regarded as one of the best players in the women's game. The Queensland and Jillaroos fullback was at the heart of the Knights' back-to-back premiership double but was released at the end of last season on compassionate grounds. Also gone are former captain Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra) and barnstorming forward Caitlan Johnston-Green (Cronulla), who have State of Origin and Jillaroos experience. The Knights also lost premiership-winning prop Rima Butler (Sydney Roosters), utility Nita Maynard (Dragons), second-rower Laishon Albert-Jones (New Zealand Warriors) and centre Abigail Roache (Queensland Cowboys). Premiership-winning middle forward and New Zealand international Tiana Davison returns to the Knights, where she played in 2022 and 2023, after winning last year's grand final with the Roosters. A bit-part player in her three NRLW seasons, the 24-year-old is aiming to cement a starting spot this campaign. Fullback Botille Vette-Walsh brings plenty of experience to the Knights. The New Zealand-born 28-year-old has played in NRLW since its inception. She has played at the Roosters, St George Illawarra, Parramatta and Wests Tigers and is a NSW and Australian representative. Other new faces include NSW under-19 representative lock Sienna Yeo, who was rookie of the year for NSW Women's Rugby League premiers Illawarra, and New Zealander Keighley Simpson, an outside back who played Super Rugby for Matatu. Joeli Morris returns to NRLW after a stand-out season in the Knights' second-tier NSW Premiership team last year and will start against the Bulldogs with Olivia Higgins out through suspension. She is widely regarded as the best second-rower in the women's game, and Cardiff South-raised Yasmin Clydsdale will captain her home-town team this year. The 31-year-old Scone-based school teacher has 39 NRLW appearances, and three premierships to her name, and leads by example. The NSW and Jillaroos forward is super fit, has an incredible work ethic and lifts those around her. Home-grown No.9 Higgins, also a NSW and Australian representative, New Zealand centre Shanice Parker and Gloucester-raised prop Tayla Predebon all have over 30 appearances in NRLW and are proven premiership-winners. Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche is an England international and will again form part of an experienced spine for Newcastle. She is only 20 years of age, but Jesse Southwell has long been earmarked for future greatness. And, the Kotara Bears junior showed why as she led NSW to a State of Origin triumph with stand-out performances throughout the three-match series in May. "We'll play a little bit differently this year, so I'm really happy with how she came back from Origin," Jeffries said. "She played with some real maturity and patience in that Origin space. I thought that was the best football I've ever seen her play." Knights pathways products Evah McEwen, Evie Jones and Lilly-Ann White all made their NRLW debuts last year, and Jules Kirkpatrick is set for hers in round one. "Going forward, there's going to be a lot more home-grown players coming through," Jeffries said. "This year, next year, the year after that and so forth. Someone like Evah McEwen ... I think you'll see a lot more of her. Then you've got Jules Kirkpatrick, Evie Jones, the Lilly Whites. They're all waiting to take their opportunities." There wasn't much McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to the top-24 roster and drawn plenty of similarities to Clydsdale. The St Marys junior starts on Friday night following the departure of Albert-Jones, and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. White, who was the NSW under-19 fullback last year, has also been promoted to the Knights' top squad and has been rewarded for some strong performances on the wing as a development player last season with a starting spot there for round one. Cross-code success stories probably don't come any better than that of Young Matildas captain-turned-NRLW tryscoring machine Sheridan Gallagher. The crossover from rugby union to rugby league seems an easier transition than the jump from soccer. But, Gallagher has proven an exceptional rugby league winger in just two seasons, scoring 16 tries in 19 games to be the Knights' leading tryscorer both campaigns. This year, after spending the NRLW off-season playing A-League with the Newcastle Jets, the 23-year-old is looking to be even more lethal. Tenika Willison's leap from rugby sevens has been equally impressive. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from the Paris Olympics, where she was part of New Zealand's gold medal-winning rugby sevens campaign, and launched her rugby league career in sensational fashion by scoring on debut in round four. The athletic outside back retained her starting spot on the wing for the rest of the season, scoring four tries in seven appearances, producing two try assists and averaging 109 running metres per game before being named Knights' Rookie of the Year. Jeffries reckons there is plenty more to come from the Kiwi this year. The 27-year-old comes in with a full NRLW pre-season under her belt and has been shifted to the centres for round one. Expect to see more of Grace Kukutai in her second season in an NRLW environment. The Kiwi is another multi-code talent and made three appearances in NRLW last year, being concussed in a crunching tackle by Jillaroos prop Millie Elliott on debut in round one, and spent most of the season helping the Knights' reserve-grade team make the NSW Premiership grand final. The super fit 28-year-old played Super Rugby with Willison for Chiefs Manawa in the off-season and has an elite netball background. Last year, Kukutai played in the back row. This year, she shifts to a middle forward position and has been named on the bench against the Bulldogs. The addition of two more teams is going to make competition for top-six positions fierce. There will be no room for slip-ups. Consistency, squad depth and fitness are going to be key. Jeffries has put the Knights through a gruelling pre-season, saying: "It's obvious the game is getting faster, so you've got to be fitter." "We're pretty optimistic around what we can and can't do," Jeffries said as pre-season kicked off in May. "We haven't talked about it too much, but just understanding when you look at our group, there's people who have played Origin. There's back-to-back premiership winners. There's gold-medal winners. There's players that have played 19s Origin, so that's why we're quite optimistic. "We're not going to say we're going to win the comp and things like that. That's not how it works. We understand there's a lot of hard work to be done from them. "It's just a transition phase. We're not rebuilding. We're bringing our young ones through. Their time will come and they'll be projected into the spotlight when they're ready. "But the way they've come back through pre-season ... they're hungry to succeed." The hard work showed in a 20-12 trial win over Canberra in Cessnock on June 15 but Newcastle's performance on Friday night could prove more telling. There are six changes to the Knights' starting side from last year's semi-final loss to the Roosters. And three new faces on the bench.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs one year, NRL the next: debutant seizes opportunity
A year ago, Temple Kalepo was playing for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs. On Saturday night, he will make his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys. A former Knights lower-grade player who spent the past couple of years between NSW Cup and the Newcastle Rugby League, Kalepo has been called up for the Cowboys' clash with Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old, a Kiwi, will come off the bench in the No.14 jersey. "It's great, that's what footy is all about - getting an opportunity and being able to kick on with it," Kurri Kurri coach Paul Stringer said. "They're struggling at the moment, so he must be playing some good footy in Q-Cup. "Hopefully he will get a bit of time [on the field]." A hooker, Kalepo joined the Knights in late 2021 but was hampered by injuries. Ahead of the 2023 season, he was earmarked as a potential replacement for then back-up dummy-half Chris Randall. But over the past two years, he spent as much time with Kurri Kurri as he did in Newcastle's NSW Cup side. "I was helping Mark O'Meley with the NSW Cup Knights side in 2022, and Temple was there," Stringer said. "The Knights had him contracted in view of him being a good player, and the poor kid tore his hamstring off the bone and it took him about 12 months to get better, and then he just kept injuring himself. "He played a few games for Kurri last year and we re-signed him for this year, but he came up to me [in October] and said he had an opportunity up in North Queensland to play Q-Cup in view of maybe getting a chance with the Cowboys. "You can't keep a kid back from that." Kalepo has earned a shot in the top flight after 11 Queensland Cup games for Mackay Cutters. It comes in a week when Cowboys have a host of players out because of Origin or injury, including the likes of Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden. "Tough kid. He's not a big frame, but he throws himself around," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said of Kalepo. "He has got great craft ... good service. "He was at the Warriors when I was there, back in New Zealand prior to COVID. I liked what he produced, and he has just come through the back door, I guess, in a different way to find it. "But a great story about perseverance. He has been in the building now for a month and has impressed everyone. I'm excited for him and his opportunity." Stringer, who played 143 NRL games between 1997 and 2006, said Kalepo's journey should inspire others to strive for higher honours. He believes there could be more opportunities for players to rise from the Newcastle Rugby League into an NRL system in years to come. "It's good that a kid can play at Kurri one year and NRL the next, a lot of kid's dream of stuff like that," Stringer said. "It happens rarely, really, so for Temple to do that, it will make a couple of kids strive to be like him and do the same thing. "Especially when there are two new [NRL] clubs coming in over the next few years." Meanwhile, Kurri have fallen to eighth on the NEWRL ladder after a 24-10 loss to Maitland last week. The Bulldogs went more than 1000 days between wins prior to this season, but have improved under first-year coach Stringer with four wins in their first nine games. Ahead of Saturday's clash with South Newcastle at Kurri Sportsground, he said the Bulldogs were aiming to notch a few more victories in their remaining seven fixtures. "Our goal is to win as many as we lose," he said. "I think it's an achievable goal." In other Saturday games in round 12, Cessnock host Wests and Maitland are at home to Northern. On Sunday, Macquarie travel to The Entrance, while Central and Lakes meet in a local derby at Charlestown. All games kick-off at 3pm. A year ago, Temple Kalepo was playing for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs. On Saturday night, he will make his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys. A former Knights lower-grade player who spent the past couple of years between NSW Cup and the Newcastle Rugby League, Kalepo has been called up for the Cowboys' clash with Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old, a Kiwi, will come off the bench in the No.14 jersey. "It's great, that's what footy is all about - getting an opportunity and being able to kick on with it," Kurri Kurri coach Paul Stringer said. "They're struggling at the moment, so he must be playing some good footy in Q-Cup. "Hopefully he will get a bit of time [on the field]." A hooker, Kalepo joined the Knights in late 2021 but was hampered by injuries. Ahead of the 2023 season, he was earmarked as a potential replacement for then back-up dummy-half Chris Randall. But over the past two years, he spent as much time with Kurri Kurri as he did in Newcastle's NSW Cup side. "I was helping Mark O'Meley with the NSW Cup Knights side in 2022, and Temple was there," Stringer said. "The Knights had him contracted in view of him being a good player, and the poor kid tore his hamstring off the bone and it took him about 12 months to get better, and then he just kept injuring himself. "He played a few games for Kurri last year and we re-signed him for this year, but he came up to me [in October] and said he had an opportunity up in North Queensland to play Q-Cup in view of maybe getting a chance with the Cowboys. "You can't keep a kid back from that." Kalepo has earned a shot in the top flight after 11 Queensland Cup games for Mackay Cutters. It comes in a week when Cowboys have a host of players out because of Origin or injury, including the likes of Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden. "Tough kid. He's not a big frame, but he throws himself around," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said of Kalepo. "He has got great craft ... good service. "He was at the Warriors when I was there, back in New Zealand prior to COVID. I liked what he produced, and he has just come through the back door, I guess, in a different way to find it. "But a great story about perseverance. He has been in the building now for a month and has impressed everyone. I'm excited for him and his opportunity." Stringer, who played 143 NRL games between 1997 and 2006, said Kalepo's journey should inspire others to strive for higher honours. He believes there could be more opportunities for players to rise from the Newcastle Rugby League into an NRL system in years to come. "It's good that a kid can play at Kurri one year and NRL the next, a lot of kid's dream of stuff like that," Stringer said. "It happens rarely, really, so for Temple to do that, it will make a couple of kids strive to be like him and do the same thing. "Especially when there are two new [NRL] clubs coming in over the next few years." Meanwhile, Kurri have fallen to eighth on the NEWRL ladder after a 24-10 loss to Maitland last week. The Bulldogs went more than 1000 days between wins prior to this season, but have improved under first-year coach Stringer with four wins in their first nine games. Ahead of Saturday's clash with South Newcastle at Kurri Sportsground, he said the Bulldogs were aiming to notch a few more victories in their remaining seven fixtures. "Our goal is to win as many as we lose," he said. "I think it's an achievable goal." In other Saturday games in round 12, Cessnock host Wests and Maitland are at home to Northern. On Sunday, Macquarie travel to The Entrance, while Central and Lakes meet in a local derby at Charlestown. All games kick-off at 3pm. A year ago, Temple Kalepo was playing for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs. On Saturday night, he will make his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys. A former Knights lower-grade player who spent the past couple of years between NSW Cup and the Newcastle Rugby League, Kalepo has been called up for the Cowboys' clash with Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old, a Kiwi, will come off the bench in the No.14 jersey. "It's great, that's what footy is all about - getting an opportunity and being able to kick on with it," Kurri Kurri coach Paul Stringer said. "They're struggling at the moment, so he must be playing some good footy in Q-Cup. "Hopefully he will get a bit of time [on the field]." A hooker, Kalepo joined the Knights in late 2021 but was hampered by injuries. Ahead of the 2023 season, he was earmarked as a potential replacement for then back-up dummy-half Chris Randall. But over the past two years, he spent as much time with Kurri Kurri as he did in Newcastle's NSW Cup side. "I was helping Mark O'Meley with the NSW Cup Knights side in 2022, and Temple was there," Stringer said. "The Knights had him contracted in view of him being a good player, and the poor kid tore his hamstring off the bone and it took him about 12 months to get better, and then he just kept injuring himself. "He played a few games for Kurri last year and we re-signed him for this year, but he came up to me [in October] and said he had an opportunity up in North Queensland to play Q-Cup in view of maybe getting a chance with the Cowboys. "You can't keep a kid back from that." Kalepo has earned a shot in the top flight after 11 Queensland Cup games for Mackay Cutters. It comes in a week when Cowboys have a host of players out because of Origin or injury, including the likes of Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden. "Tough kid. He's not a big frame, but he throws himself around," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said of Kalepo. "He has got great craft ... good service. "He was at the Warriors when I was there, back in New Zealand prior to COVID. I liked what he produced, and he has just come through the back door, I guess, in a different way to find it. "But a great story about perseverance. He has been in the building now for a month and has impressed everyone. I'm excited for him and his opportunity." Stringer, who played 143 NRL games between 1997 and 2006, said Kalepo's journey should inspire others to strive for higher honours. He believes there could be more opportunities for players to rise from the Newcastle Rugby League into an NRL system in years to come. "It's good that a kid can play at Kurri one year and NRL the next, a lot of kid's dream of stuff like that," Stringer said. "It happens rarely, really, so for Temple to do that, it will make a couple of kids strive to be like him and do the same thing. "Especially when there are two new [NRL] clubs coming in over the next few years." Meanwhile, Kurri have fallen to eighth on the NEWRL ladder after a 24-10 loss to Maitland last week. The Bulldogs went more than 1000 days between wins prior to this season, but have improved under first-year coach Stringer with four wins in their first nine games. Ahead of Saturday's clash with South Newcastle at Kurri Sportsground, he said the Bulldogs were aiming to notch a few more victories in their remaining seven fixtures. "Our goal is to win as many as we lose," he said. "I think it's an achievable goal." In other Saturday games in round 12, Cessnock host Wests and Maitland are at home to Northern. On Sunday, Macquarie travel to The Entrance, while Central and Lakes meet in a local derby at Charlestown. All games kick-off at 3pm. A year ago, Temple Kalepo was playing for the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs. On Saturday night, he will make his NRL debut for the North Queensland Cowboys. A former Knights lower-grade player who spent the past couple of years between NSW Cup and the Newcastle Rugby League, Kalepo has been called up for the Cowboys' clash with Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old, a Kiwi, will come off the bench in the No.14 jersey. "It's great, that's what footy is all about - getting an opportunity and being able to kick on with it," Kurri Kurri coach Paul Stringer said. "They're struggling at the moment, so he must be playing some good footy in Q-Cup. "Hopefully he will get a bit of time [on the field]." A hooker, Kalepo joined the Knights in late 2021 but was hampered by injuries. Ahead of the 2023 season, he was earmarked as a potential replacement for then back-up dummy-half Chris Randall. But over the past two years, he spent as much time with Kurri Kurri as he did in Newcastle's NSW Cup side. "I was helping Mark O'Meley with the NSW Cup Knights side in 2022, and Temple was there," Stringer said. "The Knights had him contracted in view of him being a good player, and the poor kid tore his hamstring off the bone and it took him about 12 months to get better, and then he just kept injuring himself. "He played a few games for Kurri last year and we re-signed him for this year, but he came up to me [in October] and said he had an opportunity up in North Queensland to play Q-Cup in view of maybe getting a chance with the Cowboys. "You can't keep a kid back from that." Kalepo has earned a shot in the top flight after 11 Queensland Cup games for Mackay Cutters. It comes in a week when Cowboys have a host of players out because of Origin or injury, including the likes of Jeremiah Nanai, Reece Robson, Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden. "Tough kid. He's not a big frame, but he throws himself around," Cowboys coach Todd Payten said of Kalepo. "He has got great craft ... good service. "He was at the Warriors when I was there, back in New Zealand prior to COVID. I liked what he produced, and he has just come through the back door, I guess, in a different way to find it. "But a great story about perseverance. He has been in the building now for a month and has impressed everyone. I'm excited for him and his opportunity." Stringer, who played 143 NRL games between 1997 and 2006, said Kalepo's journey should inspire others to strive for higher honours. He believes there could be more opportunities for players to rise from the Newcastle Rugby League into an NRL system in years to come. "It's good that a kid can play at Kurri one year and NRL the next, a lot of kid's dream of stuff like that," Stringer said. "It happens rarely, really, so for Temple to do that, it will make a couple of kids strive to be like him and do the same thing. "Especially when there are two new [NRL] clubs coming in over the next few years." Meanwhile, Kurri have fallen to eighth on the NEWRL ladder after a 24-10 loss to Maitland last week. The Bulldogs went more than 1000 days between wins prior to this season, but have improved under first-year coach Stringer with four wins in their first nine games. Ahead of Saturday's clash with South Newcastle at Kurri Sportsground, he said the Bulldogs were aiming to notch a few more victories in their remaining seven fixtures. "Our goal is to win as many as we lose," he said. "I think it's an achievable goal." In other Saturday games in round 12, Cessnock host Wests and Maitland are at home to Northern. On Sunday, Macquarie travel to The Entrance, while Central and Lakes meet in a local derby at Charlestown. All games kick-off at 3pm.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Toohey's News: Raiders duo on Knights radar, details of Manly swap deal revealed
Canberra prop Trey Mooney is believed to be on the Knights' wishlist of potential recruits to fill a starting spot alongside Jacob Saifiti next season as a replacement for Bulldogs-bound Kiwi international Leo Thompson. It's understood Mooney, who is still under contract to the Raiders, is one of a number of props from rival clubs the Knights are keeping close tabs on, with head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan playing a waiting game to see if there is any movement in the player market before pulling the trigger on what will be a crucial recruitment decision. The Knights have only four roster spots to fill in their top 30 for 2026. That will become just two if veterans Tyson Frizell and Dane Gagai commit for a further 12 months. Both have been offered reduced deals but are yet to re-sign, with their agents looking at options elsewhere. If both opt to stay, that would leave room for two top-tier signings, a prop and a hooker, although there is the possibility O'Sullivan may consider trying to off-load contracted players to create more space if necessary. While Mooney may be on a wishlist, the major hitch is that he is not currently available. He has two years to run on his deal at the Raiders, and as with any player contracted beyond next year, the Knights aren't permitted to even talk to the 23-year-old. But the club's interest has been spiked by rumours he and his family are frustrated with his lack of game time this season. Since making his NRL debut in 2022, he has played just 23 top-grade games and only two this year. He is set to start off the bench in his third appearance against the Dragons on Saturday after Josh Papali'i was called into the Queensland Origin side. It's unclear at this stage if his frustration may spill over and result in him agitating for an early release. The Knights have moved to bolster their middle forward depth with the signing of former Cowboys and Raiders prop Peter Hola. Hola, 26, has played 15 NRL games, his last for the Raiders off the bench in round 12 last season after originally debuting for the Cowboys in 2019. He is currently playing in the Queensland Cup with Norths Devils and will join the top-30 squad for 2026. The signing of Hola and Sharks' NSW Cup prop Lachie Crouch follows the club's decision not to offer new deals to Adam Elliott or Jack Hetherington. Injured prop Paul Bryan has also departed for Manly for the rest of this year and the next two seasons after a swap deal involving Jake Arthur. Bryan rejected a reduced Knights contract extension a couple of weeks ago that would have seen him drop from the top 30 to a development contract in 2026. Bryan wasn't the only junior representative pathways prop to depart the club this week. Jack Hilliar, who was 18th man for NSW Under 19s a fortnight ago, was released by the Knights to link with the Bulldogs prior to June 30 after he was given permission to negotiate elsewhere a few weeks ago. Hilliar was to have been on a development contract next season. Bryan and Hilliar join the likes of other forwards Oryn Keeley, Max Bradbury and Myles Martin to have featured in the NSW Under 19s Origin squad over the past few years from the Knights before departing for rival clubs. Suggestions that Newcastle officials blocked Manly's bid to sign prop Jack Hetherington for the remainder of the season during negotiations over a swap deal for Jake Arthur last weekend are well wide of the mark. We've been told the Knights were happy to cut Hetherington loose early but it was the Sea Eagles who baulked at the trade after finding out how much money he was still owed this season. The Warriors also made enquiries about Hetherington but dropped off for the same reason. Arthur's deal is only for the remainder of this year, with no chance of an extension unless either Jack Cogger or Tyson Gamble are offloaded early. The Knights have not ruled out making a play for Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney but are more likely to look at other options after recruitment target Tallyn de Silva signed a long-term deal with the Eels this week. The Knights went all in for the 20-year-old Tigers hooker at a meeting with him, his parents and agent in Newcastle last Saturday. But the club was always up against it, with de Silva still living at home and his parents preferring for him to remain in Sydney. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Canberra prop Trey Mooney is believed to be on the Knights' wishlist of potential recruits to fill a starting spot alongside Jacob Saifiti next season as a replacement for Bulldogs-bound Kiwi international Leo Thompson. It's understood Mooney, who is still under contract to the Raiders, is one of a number of props from rival clubs the Knights are keeping close tabs on, with head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan playing a waiting game to see if there is any movement in the player market before pulling the trigger on what will be a crucial recruitment decision. The Knights have only four roster spots to fill in their top 30 for 2026. That will become just two if veterans Tyson Frizell and Dane Gagai commit for a further 12 months. Both have been offered reduced deals but are yet to re-sign, with their agents looking at options elsewhere. If both opt to stay, that would leave room for two top-tier signings, a prop and a hooker, although there is the possibility O'Sullivan may consider trying to off-load contracted players to create more space if necessary. While Mooney may be on a wishlist, the major hitch is that he is not currently available. He has two years to run on his deal at the Raiders, and as with any player contracted beyond next year, the Knights aren't permitted to even talk to the 23-year-old. But the club's interest has been spiked by rumours he and his family are frustrated with his lack of game time this season. Since making his NRL debut in 2022, he has played just 23 top-grade games and only two this year. He is set to start off the bench in his third appearance against the Dragons on Saturday after Josh Papali'i was called into the Queensland Origin side. It's unclear at this stage if his frustration may spill over and result in him agitating for an early release. The Knights have moved to bolster their middle forward depth with the signing of former Cowboys and Raiders prop Peter Hola. Hola, 26, has played 15 NRL games, his last for the Raiders off the bench in round 12 last season after originally debuting for the Cowboys in 2019. He is currently playing in the Queensland Cup with Norths Devils and will join the top-30 squad for 2026. The signing of Hola and Sharks' NSW Cup prop Lachie Crouch follows the club's decision not to offer new deals to Adam Elliott or Jack Hetherington. Injured prop Paul Bryan has also departed for Manly for the rest of this year and the next two seasons after a swap deal involving Jake Arthur. Bryan rejected a reduced Knights contract extension a couple of weeks ago that would have seen him drop from the top 30 to a development contract in 2026. Bryan wasn't the only junior representative pathways prop to depart the club this week. Jack Hilliar, who was 18th man for NSW Under 19s a fortnight ago, was released by the Knights to link with the Bulldogs prior to June 30 after he was given permission to negotiate elsewhere a few weeks ago. Hilliar was to have been on a development contract next season. Bryan and Hilliar join the likes of other forwards Oryn Keeley, Max Bradbury and Myles Martin to have featured in the NSW Under 19s Origin squad over the past few years from the Knights before departing for rival clubs. Suggestions that Newcastle officials blocked Manly's bid to sign prop Jack Hetherington for the remainder of the season during negotiations over a swap deal for Jake Arthur last weekend are well wide of the mark. We've been told the Knights were happy to cut Hetherington loose early but it was the Sea Eagles who baulked at the trade after finding out how much money he was still owed this season. The Warriors also made enquiries about Hetherington but dropped off for the same reason. Arthur's deal is only for the remainder of this year, with no chance of an extension unless either Jack Cogger or Tyson Gamble are offloaded early. The Knights have not ruled out making a play for Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney but are more likely to look at other options after recruitment target Tallyn de Silva signed a long-term deal with the Eels this week. The Knights went all in for the 20-year-old Tigers hooker at a meeting with him, his parents and agent in Newcastle last Saturday. But the club was always up against it, with de Silva still living at home and his parents preferring for him to remain in Sydney. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Canberra prop Trey Mooney is believed to be on the Knights' wishlist of potential recruits to fill a starting spot alongside Jacob Saifiti next season as a replacement for Bulldogs-bound Kiwi international Leo Thompson. It's understood Mooney, who is still under contract to the Raiders, is one of a number of props from rival clubs the Knights are keeping close tabs on, with head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan playing a waiting game to see if there is any movement in the player market before pulling the trigger on what will be a crucial recruitment decision. The Knights have only four roster spots to fill in their top 30 for 2026. That will become just two if veterans Tyson Frizell and Dane Gagai commit for a further 12 months. Both have been offered reduced deals but are yet to re-sign, with their agents looking at options elsewhere. If both opt to stay, that would leave room for two top-tier signings, a prop and a hooker, although there is the possibility O'Sullivan may consider trying to off-load contracted players to create more space if necessary. While Mooney may be on a wishlist, the major hitch is that he is not currently available. He has two years to run on his deal at the Raiders, and as with any player contracted beyond next year, the Knights aren't permitted to even talk to the 23-year-old. But the club's interest has been spiked by rumours he and his family are frustrated with his lack of game time this season. Since making his NRL debut in 2022, he has played just 23 top-grade games and only two this year. He is set to start off the bench in his third appearance against the Dragons on Saturday after Josh Papali'i was called into the Queensland Origin side. It's unclear at this stage if his frustration may spill over and result in him agitating for an early release. The Knights have moved to bolster their middle forward depth with the signing of former Cowboys and Raiders prop Peter Hola. Hola, 26, has played 15 NRL games, his last for the Raiders off the bench in round 12 last season after originally debuting for the Cowboys in 2019. He is currently playing in the Queensland Cup with Norths Devils and will join the top-30 squad for 2026. The signing of Hola and Sharks' NSW Cup prop Lachie Crouch follows the club's decision not to offer new deals to Adam Elliott or Jack Hetherington. Injured prop Paul Bryan has also departed for Manly for the rest of this year and the next two seasons after a swap deal involving Jake Arthur. Bryan rejected a reduced Knights contract extension a couple of weeks ago that would have seen him drop from the top 30 to a development contract in 2026. Bryan wasn't the only junior representative pathways prop to depart the club this week. Jack Hilliar, who was 18th man for NSW Under 19s a fortnight ago, was released by the Knights to link with the Bulldogs prior to June 30 after he was given permission to negotiate elsewhere a few weeks ago. Hilliar was to have been on a development contract next season. Bryan and Hilliar join the likes of other forwards Oryn Keeley, Max Bradbury and Myles Martin to have featured in the NSW Under 19s Origin squad over the past few years from the Knights before departing for rival clubs. Suggestions that Newcastle officials blocked Manly's bid to sign prop Jack Hetherington for the remainder of the season during negotiations over a swap deal for Jake Arthur last weekend are well wide of the mark. We've been told the Knights were happy to cut Hetherington loose early but it was the Sea Eagles who baulked at the trade after finding out how much money he was still owed this season. The Warriors also made enquiries about Hetherington but dropped off for the same reason. Arthur's deal is only for the remainder of this year, with no chance of an extension unless either Jack Cogger or Tyson Gamble are offloaded early. The Knights have not ruled out making a play for Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney but are more likely to look at other options after recruitment target Tallyn de Silva signed a long-term deal with the Eels this week. The Knights went all in for the 20-year-old Tigers hooker at a meeting with him, his parents and agent in Newcastle last Saturday. But the club was always up against it, with de Silva still living at home and his parents preferring for him to remain in Sydney. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Canberra prop Trey Mooney is believed to be on the Knights' wishlist of potential recruits to fill a starting spot alongside Jacob Saifiti next season as a replacement for Bulldogs-bound Kiwi international Leo Thompson. It's understood Mooney, who is still under contract to the Raiders, is one of a number of props from rival clubs the Knights are keeping close tabs on, with head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan playing a waiting game to see if there is any movement in the player market before pulling the trigger on what will be a crucial recruitment decision. The Knights have only four roster spots to fill in their top 30 for 2026. That will become just two if veterans Tyson Frizell and Dane Gagai commit for a further 12 months. Both have been offered reduced deals but are yet to re-sign, with their agents looking at options elsewhere. If both opt to stay, that would leave room for two top-tier signings, a prop and a hooker, although there is the possibility O'Sullivan may consider trying to off-load contracted players to create more space if necessary. While Mooney may be on a wishlist, the major hitch is that he is not currently available. He has two years to run on his deal at the Raiders, and as with any player contracted beyond next year, the Knights aren't permitted to even talk to the 23-year-old. But the club's interest has been spiked by rumours he and his family are frustrated with his lack of game time this season. Since making his NRL debut in 2022, he has played just 23 top-grade games and only two this year. He is set to start off the bench in his third appearance against the Dragons on Saturday after Josh Papali'i was called into the Queensland Origin side. It's unclear at this stage if his frustration may spill over and result in him agitating for an early release. The Knights have moved to bolster their middle forward depth with the signing of former Cowboys and Raiders prop Peter Hola. Hola, 26, has played 15 NRL games, his last for the Raiders off the bench in round 12 last season after originally debuting for the Cowboys in 2019. He is currently playing in the Queensland Cup with Norths Devils and will join the top-30 squad for 2026. The signing of Hola and Sharks' NSW Cup prop Lachie Crouch follows the club's decision not to offer new deals to Adam Elliott or Jack Hetherington. Injured prop Paul Bryan has also departed for Manly for the rest of this year and the next two seasons after a swap deal involving Jake Arthur. Bryan rejected a reduced Knights contract extension a couple of weeks ago that would have seen him drop from the top 30 to a development contract in 2026. Bryan wasn't the only junior representative pathways prop to depart the club this week. Jack Hilliar, who was 18th man for NSW Under 19s a fortnight ago, was released by the Knights to link with the Bulldogs prior to June 30 after he was given permission to negotiate elsewhere a few weeks ago. Hilliar was to have been on a development contract next season. Bryan and Hilliar join the likes of other forwards Oryn Keeley, Max Bradbury and Myles Martin to have featured in the NSW Under 19s Origin squad over the past few years from the Knights before departing for rival clubs. Suggestions that Newcastle officials blocked Manly's bid to sign prop Jack Hetherington for the remainder of the season during negotiations over a swap deal for Jake Arthur last weekend are well wide of the mark. We've been told the Knights were happy to cut Hetherington loose early but it was the Sea Eagles who baulked at the trade after finding out how much money he was still owed this season. The Warriors also made enquiries about Hetherington but dropped off for the same reason. Arthur's deal is only for the remainder of this year, with no chance of an extension unless either Jack Cogger or Tyson Gamble are offloaded early. The Knights have not ruled out making a play for Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney but are more likely to look at other options after recruitment target Tallyn de Silva signed a long-term deal with the Eels this week. The Knights went all in for the 20-year-old Tigers hooker at a meeting with him, his parents and agent in Newcastle last Saturday. But the club was always up against it, with de Silva still living at home and his parents preferring for him to remain in Sydney. MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
