The 2023 Newcastle Knights season was the 36th in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and co-captained by Jayden Brailey and Kalyn Ponga, they competed in the NRL's 2023 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 5th place (out of 17), thus reaching the finals. The Knights made it to the second week of finals, before being knocked out by the New Zealand Warriors.
Squad
Transfers and re-signings Gains Player/Coach Previous club Length SourceDane AukafolauNorth Sydney Bears2023Fa'amanu BrownCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2023Adam ElliottCanberra Raiders2025Tyson GambleBrisbane Broncos2024Jackson HastingsWests Tigers2025Jack HetheringtonCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2025Greg MarzhewGold Coast Titans2025Brian McDermott (assistant coach)Fiji national rugby league team2023Lachie MillerCronulla-Sutherland Sharks2025Michael Monaghan (NSW Cup coach)Manly Warringah Sea Eagles2023Ryan RivettCronulla-Sutherland Sharks2023
Losses Player/Coach Club SourceMitchell BarnettNew Zealand WarriorsJake CliffordHull F.C.Tex HoyHull F.C.Jacob KirazCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsDavid KlemmerWests TigersEdrick LeeDolphinsAnthony MilfordDolphinsJirah MomoiseaParramatta EelsBrayden MusgroveCessnock GoannasMark O'Meley (NSW Cup coach)ReleasedMitchell PearceCatalans DragonsWillie Peters (assistant coach)Hull Kingston RoversDylan PhythianLakes UnitedJaron PurcellTweed Heads SeagullsChris RandallGold Coast TitansKobe RuglessBlacktown WorkersPasami SauloCanberra RaidersEric Smith (assistant coach)ReleasedSauaso SueHull Kingston RoversBen TaltyNorth Sydney BearsStarford To'aWests TigersTevita ToloiRedcliffe DolphinsChris Vea'ilaCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Promoted juniors Player Junior side SourceDavid ArmstrongKnights NSW CupTom CantKnights NSW CupRiley JonesKnights NSW CupDylan LucasKnights NSW CupMyles MartinKnights Jersey Flegg CupKobe RuglessKnights NSW CupTevita ToloiKnights Jersey Flegg Cup
Re-signings Player/Coach Re-signed to SourceDavid Armstrong2024Thomas Cant2024Phoenix Crossland2026Tyson Frizell2026Brodie Jones2024Riley Jones2025Dylan Lucas2025Greg Marzhew2026Ryan Rivett2024Enari Tuala2024
Player contract situations 2023 (left)2024202520262027Dane AukafolauDavid ArmstrongJayden BraileyPhoenix CrosslandKalyn PongaFa'amanu BrownBradman BestAdam ElliottTyson FrizellAdam CluneTom CantJackson HastingsGreg MarzhewLachlan FitzgibbonMat CrokerJack HetheringtonDaniel SaifitiBailey HodgsonDane GagaiRiley JonesHymel HuntTyson GambleDylan LucasJack JohnsBrodie JonesLeo ThompsonOryn KeeleyKrystian MapapalangiDavid KlemmerMyles MartinKurt MannRyan RivettLachie MillerJacob SaifitiChris RandallEnari TualaKobe RuglessSimi SasagiBen TaltyTevita ToloiChris Vea'ilaDom Young
Ladder
Result by round
Milestones Round 1: Adam Elliott made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Canberra Raiders. Round 1: Jackson Hastings made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Wests Tigers, and kicked his 1st goal for the club. Round 1: Jack Hetherington made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Round 1: Lachie Miller made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Round 2: Lachlan Fitzgibbon played his 100th career game. Round 2: Tyson Gamble made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Brisbane Broncos. Round 3: Tom Cant made his NRL debut for the club. Round 3: Dane Gagai played his 150th game for the club and captained his 1st game for the club. Round 3: Tyson Gamble scored his 1st try for the club. Round 3: Jackson Hastings captained his 1st game for the club. Round 3: Dylan Lucas made his NRL debut for the club. Round 3: Lachie Miller scored his 1st try for the club and kicked his 1st career goal. Round 3: Ryan Rivett made his NRL debut for the club. Round 4: Greg Marzhew made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Gold Coast Titans, and scored his 1st try for the club. Round 5: Bradman Best played his 50th game for the club. Round 5: Dane Gagai played his 250th career game. Round 7: Tyson Gamble kicked his 1st field goal for the club. Round 7: Jack Hetherington played his 50th career game. Round 8: Kalyn Ponga played his 100th career game. Round 12: Tyson Frizell played his 50th game for the club. Round 13: Daniel Saifiti played his 150th career game. Round 17: Phoenix Crossland played his 50th career game. Round 17: Jackson Hastings scored his 1st try for the club. Round 18: The Knights broke the record of biggest win in the club's history by defeating the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 66-0. Round 18: Kalyn Ponga equaled the club record of 11 goals kicked in a single match. Round 20: Kalyn Ponga played his 100th game for the club. Round 22: Brodie Jones played his 50th career game. Round 24: Jack Hetherington scored his 1st try for the club. Round 24: Leo Thompson scored his 1st career try. Round 25: Adam Clune kicked his 1st career field goal. Round 26: Fa'amanu Brown made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Round 26: Dylan Lucas scored his 1st career try. Round 27: Fa'amanu Brown scored his 1st try for the club. Round 27: Tyson Gamble kicked his 1st goal for the club. Round 27: Jacob Saifiti captained his 1st game for the club. Round 27: Dom Young broke the club record of 21 tries in a season, setting a new record of 23. Finals Week 1: Dom Young played his 50th game for the club.
Jerseys and sponsors In 2023, the Knights' jerseys were made by Classic Sportswear and their major sponsor was nib Health Funds.
2023 Home Jersey2023 Away Jersey2023 Anzac Jersey2023 Indigenous Jersey2023 NSW Mining Jersey
Fixtures
Pre-season trials Date Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions AttendanceFriday, 10 February Cronulla-Sutherland SharksIndustree Group Stadium16–28T.Gamble, P.Crossland, L.PietznerR.Rivett (2/2)Friday, 17 February Parramatta EelsIndustree Group Stadium14–36D.Young, B.Best, G.MarzhewJ.Hastings (1/3) Legend:
Source:
Regular season
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceFriday, 3 March1 New Zealand WarriorsSky Stadium20 - 12Lachlan Fitzgibbon 1' Hymel Hunt 45'Jackson Hastings (2/2)16,676Sunday, 12 March2 Wests TigersLeichhardt Oval12 - 14Dominic Young 10', 60' Lachlan Fitzgibbon 15'Jackson Hastings 12'13,214Friday, 17 March3 DolphinsMcDonald Jones Stadium20 - 36Tyson Gamble 18' Lachlan Miller 35', 45'Jackson Hastings (3/3)Lachlan Miller (1/1)20,093Sunday, 26 March4 Canberra RaidersMcDonald Jones Stadium24 - 14Greg Marzhew 11', 43' Bradman Best 17' Dane Gagai 45' Tyson Frizell 49'Lachlan Miller (2/6)15,106Saturday, 1 April5 Manly Warringah Sea EaglesGlen Willow Oval32 - 32Greg Marzhew 12' Jack Johns 17' Dominic Young 23', 32', 55', 77'Jackson Hastings (2/3) Lachlan Miller (2/3)9,024Sunday, 9 April6 New Zealand WarriorsMcDonald Jones Stadium34 - 2418,007Saturday, 15 April7 Penrith PanthersMcDonald Jones Stadium15 - 1626,084Saturday, 22 April8 North Queensland CowboysQueensland Country Bank Stadium18 - 1617,970Friday, 28 April9 Parramatta EelsCommBank Stadium43 - 1215,87510BYESunday, 14 May11 Gold Coast TitansMcDonald Jones Stadium46 - 2613,064Saturday, 20 May12 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksCoffs Harbour International Stadium26 - 6N/ASunday, 28 May13 Manly Warringah Sea EaglesMcDonald Jones Stadium28 - 1820,66114BYESaturday, 10 June15 Brisbane BroncosLang Park24 -2035,814Saturday, 17 June16 Sydney RoostersMcDonald Jones Stadium16 - 1821,966Saturday, 24 June17 Penrith PanthersBlueBet Stadium20 - 1218,589Sunday, 2 July18 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsAccor Stadium0 - 66Jackson Hastings 12', 51' Bradman Best 16', 36', 56' Lachlan Fitzgibbon 24' Phoenix Crossland 34', 70' Kurt Mann 42' Greg Marzhew 49' Enari Tuala 64'Kalyn Ponga (11/11)11,00419BYEFriday, 14 July20 Wests TigersMcDonald Jones Stadium34 - 1818,470Saturday, 22 July21 Melbourne StormMcDonald Jones Stadium26 - 1820,392Saturday, 29 July22 Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium28 - 615,487Saturday, 5 August23 DolphinsOptus Stadium30-2842,042Sunday, 13 August24 Canterbury-Bankstown BulldogsMcDonald Jones Stadium42-623,464Sunday, 20 August25 South Sydney RabbitohsMcDonald Jones Stadium29-1029,018Sunday, 27 August26 Cronulla-Sutherland SharksMcDonald Jones Stadium32-8Saturday, 2 September27 St. George Illawarra DragonsNetstrata Jubilee Stadium32-12 Legend: | * Magic Round
Statistics NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPointsCaptainAge2513005202250000527210040291000002141015028243001202425600240231800000292150020029224001617322241018132246112702722416048127261004027410040305100402611000002410000021100000207200802318400160302222008802612226060029209450126202510000021222008027211004127251004023630012025252500100022 Totals 26 121 89 2 666 – Average: 26
30 players used.
Source:
NRL Women's team
The 2023 Newcastle Knights Women's season was the 3rd in the club's history. Coached by Ronald Griffiths and captained by Hannah Southwell, they competed in the NRLW's 2023 NRL Women's Premiership, finishing the regular season in 1st place (out of 10), thus reaching the finals. The Knights made it to the Grand Final, defeating the Gold Coast Titans and claiming the 2023 NRLW premiership. During the absence of Hannah Southwell due to injury, the side was captained by Tamika Upton.
Player gains & losses Player gains Player/Coach Previous club Length SourceLaishon Albert-JonesMount Pritchard Mounties2024Rima ButlerParramatta Eels2024Sheridan GallagherMount Pritchard Mounties2023Jayde HerdegenWynnum Manly Seagulls2024Felila KiaWynnum Manly Seagulls2024Tamerah LeatiParramatta Eels2024Nita MaynardBrisbane Broncos2023Abigail RoacheChiefs Manawa2024Georgia RocheLeeds Rhinos2027Jasmin StrangeSydney Roosters2023Viena TinaoIllawarra Steelers2023 Player losses Player/Coach Club SourceTamsin BarberReleasedMillie BoyleSydney RoostersBree ChesterNorth Queensland CowboysSophie ClancySt. George Illawarra DragonsKirra DibbNorth Queensland CowboysJessica GentleCanberra RaidersBobbi LawSt. George Illawarra DragonsEmma ManzelmannNorth Queensland CowboysMia MiddletonNorth Queensland CowboysNicole NathanReleasedEmmanita PakiReleasedKyra SimonParramatta EelsAutumn-Rain Stephens-DalyNorth Queensland CowboysKiana TakairangiCronulla-Sutherland SharksRomy TeitzelBrisbane BroncosMakenzie WealeNorth Queensland CowboysJakiya WhitfeldWests Tigers Promoted juniors Player Junior side SourceJacinta CarterKnights NSWRL Women's PremiershipEvie JonesKnights NSWRL Women's PremiershipJules KirkpatrickKnights NSWRL Women's PremiershipTazmyne LuschwitzKnights NSWRL Women's PremiershipTylah VallanceKnights NSWRL Women's Premiership Player re-signings Player/Coach Re-signed to SourceYasmin Clydsdale2025Tiana Davison2023Olivia Higgins2023Caitlan Johnston2025Simone Karpani2023Caitlin Moran2023Shanice Parker2024Tayla Predebon2024Kayla Romaniuk2024Hannah Southwell2027Jesse Southwell2027Tamika Upton2027
Player contract situations 2023 (left)2024202520262027Tiana DavisonLaishon Albert-JonesYasmin ClydsdaleOlivia HigginsJacinta CarterFelila KiaRima ButlerSheridan GallagherSimone KarpaniGeorgia RocheTazmyne LuschwitzJayde HerdegenCaitlan JohnstonHannah SouthwellCaitlin MoranEvie JonesViena TinaoJesse SouthwellJasmin StrangeJules KirkpatrickTamika UptonTylah VallanceTamerah LeatiNita MaynardShanice ParkerTayla PredebonAbigail RoacheKayla Romaniuk
Women's milestones Round 1: Laishon Albert-Jones made her NRLW debut for the club. Round 1: Rima Butler made her debut for the club, after previously playing for the Parramatta Eels. Round 1: Sheridan Gallagher made her NRLW debut for the club. Round 1: Nita Maynard made her debut for the club, after previously playing for the Brisbane Broncos. Round 1: Abigail Roache made her NRLW debut for the club and scored her 1st career try. Round 1: Kayla Romaniuk scored her 1st career try.