Knights Coach Emphasises Reward as 35 Players Enter Trial Contention
Newcastle Knights coach Justin Holbrook has outlined his philosophy behind selecting a large squad of up to 35 players for the upcoming NRL trials, framing it as a well-deserved opportunity for those who have put in the hard yards over summer.
Pre-Season Efforts Lead to Trial Opportunities
With the pre-season training block now firmly behind them, the Knights are set to embark on back-to-back trials, starting with a match against the Dragons at Jubilee Stadium this Saturday. Holbrook has named an initial group of 28 players, with several key regulars, including captain Kalyn Ponga, set to sit out the first trial due to injury recovery or international commitments.
Holbrook described trials as a necessary part of the preparation process, stating that players are eager to move beyond training and into game scenarios. "The boys are sick of training against each other and sick of looking at training vision ... they want to play games," he said during the club's season launch event earlier this week.
Rewarding Summer Commitment
The coach emphasised that the first trial serves as a reward for the dedication shown during the off-season. "I sort of wanted to reward everybody's that trained at NRL, so we'll play a number of younger players who get their first chance at NRL," Holbrook explained. "I think that's important and they've earned it, they deserve it."
He added that the message to these players is clear: "Trial one get out and enjoy what you've earned to go and do." This approach allows emerging talents to gain valuable experience at the NRL level while acknowledging their contributions to the team's pre-season efforts.
Focus on Process Over Results
Holbrook downplayed the importance of trial results, stressing that performance and execution matter more than the scoreboard. "Results not everything and doesn't really matter, just the way we go about it matters," he noted. The second trial against the Bulldogs will feature a stronger lineup as the team fine-tunes its strategies ahead of the season proper.
The ultimate goal is the round one clash in Las Vegas, where the Knights will face the North Queensland Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on March 1. Ponga, recovering from a Lisfranc injury, has confirmed he will skip the trials but is expected to be fit for the season opener.
Squad List for Initial Trial
The Knights have named the following players for the upcoming trial: Fletcher Hunt, James Schiller, Kyle McCarthy, Wilson De Courcey, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Sandon Smith, Jacob Saifiti, Harrison Graham, Trey Mooney, Tom Cant, Jermaine McEwen, Tyson Frizell (c), Mat Croker, Matt Arthur, Pasami Saulo, Brodie Jones, Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano, Sosaia Latu, Asu Kepaoa, Logan Aoake, Matthew Hunter, Peter Hola, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Francis Manuleleau, Francis Manuleleua, and Lachlan Crouch.
This expansive trial mix reflects Holbrook's commitment to developing depth and rewarding hard work as the Knights build towards a competitive NRL campaign.
