Jermaine McEwen arrived at Newcastle Knights headquarters for his first NRL pre-season as a wide-eyed teenager, barely speaking in the presence of established stars like Tyson Frizell. Now, just over two years later, the 20-year-old back-rower is on the cusp of becoming a regular first-grade player, determined to cement a starting role for the Knights' season opener in Las Vegas.
From Shell-Shocked Rookie to Confident Contender
Reflecting on his initial six-week stint in late 2023, McEwen admitted, "The first day of training you rock up and you're shocked. You're with the big-timers. I was a little kid. You hardly talk when you're a little kid and new to the squad and see big names like Tyson Frizell and that. You kind of get into your shell." Fast forward to 2026, and after debuting and playing 16 NRL games last season, McEwen has completed his third pre-season, with this being his second full summer program.
No longer a raw talent, McEwen has found his place within the group, developed physically, and enters the new season with renewed confidence. "Last year, that's when I kind of settled in because I had a full pre-season with them. But this year, I have really found my feet," he explained. "You adapt to the training. You adapt to believing in yourself mentally when things get hard. That's what you practice, because in the big games, that's what you need most - to be mentally strong, physically strong and be switched on."
Eyes on the Right Edge and Las Vegas
McEwen's focus has been training on the right edge, a position that hasn't had a consistent occupant in recent seasons. With Frizell moving to the middle, McEwen has been given first crack, starting in the back row in Newcastle's trial against the Dragons at Kogarah. However, he isn't taking anything for granted regarding the March 1 Las Vegas match.
"In the game today, I think connection is a big part of playing rugby league. To be starting back row and getting all the reps in, it's going to do me good for the year," McEwen said. "I'm grateful. I don't know the plans, but I've been training at back row the whole pre-season. I think the coach will give me a shot to prove what I've done in the pre-season. He wants to see me, get a bit more fitness time, to adapt to it. I'll be good to go."
A Long-Term Succession Plan
The Knights have had a succession plan in place for McEwen for some time, with him playing right edge in NSW Cup to prepare for the NRL role. "In Cup, I always played right edge, because they knew they were getting ready for me to play right edge in the NRL, because Dylan Lucas is on the left," McEwen noted. "When Dylan Lucas was out last season, I went to the left, but now he is back and ready to go, I've gone to the right."
He credits experienced players like Dane Gagai for their mentorship. "I've got some gun players beside me. 'Gags', him being a leader to me with all the experience he has been through, he's been helping me a lot in the pre-season. You need a mentor in this type of game, so I'm just taking it all in and learning heaps."
Cultural Heritage and Future Ambitions
A western-Sydney product with time spent in Orange, McEwen has Indigenous and Samoan heritage. After winning the NSW Koori Knockout with the Newcastle Yowies, coached by Indigenous All Stars mentor Ronald Griffiths, he was earmarked for this year's NRL All Stars match but chose to focus on his NRL ambitions.
"I got told to play All Stars, but for me this year, chasing the starting back-row spot, giving NRL a real crack, I felt like I should focus on that a bit more," he said. "I know in the next year and years after, without hesitation I'm going to be playing for my culture. I'm all about my culture and my heritage. I just want to focus on Vegas and get that out of the way."
While his immediate priority is establishing himself as a regular NRL player, McEwen – who has two younger brothers, Matt and Eli, in the Knights' development system – dreams of representing his mother's Samoan background in the future. "Every time I watch it on TV, I get emotional. My mum is Samoan, and my dad is Aboriginal, so I want to do them both proud. I know that I already have, but I know representing your country is a different type of emotion. One day, to me, it would mean the world."
