Former Knight Tex Hoy Pursues NRL Lifeline with Manly Sea Eagles
Former Newcastle Knights utility back Tex Hoy is making a determined bid to reignite his National Rugby League career, having recently landed a train-and-trial contract with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. The 26-year-old, who is the son of ex-professional surfer Matt Hoy, returned to Australia last year after spending three seasons playing in the English Super League.
Hoy's Journey from Newcastle to England and Back
Hoy initially debuted for the Newcastle Knights in 2018, making a total of thirty NRL appearances for the club over five seasons until 2022. Seeking new opportunities, he then moved overseas, where he played twenty-four games for Hull FC during the 2023-24 campaign and thirty-five matches for Castleford in the 2024-25 season.
His return to Australia had sparked speculation about a potential move back to the local Newcastle Rugby League competition. South Newcastle Lions, Hoy's junior club, had expressed interest in securing his services for the upcoming season.
Teammate Backs Hoy for Higher-Level Football
Former Knights teammate Lachlan Fitzgibbon, who has himself returned to South Newcastle after a stint in the Super League, publicly endorsed Hoy's ability to compete at an elite level. "I saw Tex a little bit overseas. Tex has got a lot to give," Fitzgibbon told the Newcastle Herald.
Fitzgibbon elaborated, "I think he is only 26 or 27. He has got a lot of footy in front of him. Whether he comes back to the local league, if he comes back to Souths, I'd welcome him with open arms. But where Tex is, at this stage of his career - he is coming out of a professional environment at Castleford, and he was playing some good footy over there, and Tex is a good footy player. I still think he has got a lot to give."
He added a strong vote of confidence for Hoy's NRL aspirations, stating, "Whether that's at the NRL level, which I believe it is, hopefully he can fight his way back into an NRL system and be back playing NRL."
Opportunity at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Hoy's new opportunity comes with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, a club coached by Anthony Seibold, who previously worked at the Knights during Hoy's tenure there. The Sea Eagles boast considerable depth in the fullback and halves positions, which are the roles Hoy has experience in.
The club's roster includes:
- Lehi Hopoate, who started eleven games at fullback last season.
- Captain Tom Trbojevic, a long-time fullback who has more recently been deployed in the centres.
- New signing Jamal Fogarty, a former Raiders halfback, who is set to partner Luke Brooks in the halves.
This follows the departure of veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans, who joined the Sydney Roosters for the 2026 NRL season. Hoy's versatility could provide valuable cover and competition for places as Manly prepares for their season opener against the Canberra Raiders at Brookvale Oval on Sunday, March 7.
The Sea Eagles have been contacted to confirm the specifics of Hoy's contract status, but the train-and-trial deal represents a critical chance for the former Knight to prove his worth and secure a permanent spot back in Australia's premier rugby league competition.
