For months, the prevailing narrative surrounding the Newcastle Knights was one of dependency. The whispers across the league suggested that without the talismanic presence of captain Kalyn Ponga and the creative spark of star recruit Dylan Brown, the Knights were merely placeholders in the 2026 NRL season.
Jacob Saifiti has spent the early rounds of the year ignoring those whispers. Instead, the prop has turn into the heartbeat of a side that is suddenly defying expectations and rewriting its own identity.
On Sunday, Saifiti anchored a comprehensive 32-12 victory over the 2025 minor premiers, the Canberra Raiders, in front of a sell-out crowd of 23,002 at McDonald Jones Stadium. The win was more than just a scoreline. it was a statement of resilience from a club that has spent too many years in the basement of the competition.
The victory ended a grueling seven-game losing streak on home soil—a drought that had stretched back 304 days to a thrilling 26-22 extra-time win over Manly on June 5 last year. With the result, Newcastle climbs to second spot on the ladder, trailing only the unbeaten Penrith Panthers.
A new pace in the engine room
The transformation of the Knights is inextricably linked to the arrival of head coach Justin Holbrook, who took the reins last November. For Jacob Saifiti, the change has been visceral. After enduring a decade of hardship in Newcastle—including wooden spoons in his first two seasons (2016-17) and another last year—the prop has found a new gear under Holbrook’s guidance.
The focus has shifted toward the tempo of the game, a change Saifiti says the squad has embraced wholeheartedly. The results are showing up in the statistics. In Sunday’s dominant display, Saifiti ran 19 times for 174 metres and recorded 31 tackles during 65 minutes of bruising work in the middle.
Holbrook credited Saifiti’s discipline and preparation for this surge in form, noting that the prop had a standout pre-season and fully committed to the new tactical approach. Holbrook said that Saifiti is leading the side by example and that the rest of the team is following his lead.
Saifiti described the current environment as a total departure from the past, citing new assistant coaches, performance staff, and a refreshed roster. He said the group’s biggest strengths are their connection and a deep belief in the systems Holbrook has implemented.
Young at his best
Distributing the leadership load
Although Saifiti has been the focal point of the forward pack, the Knights’ success has been a collective effort. Veteran Tyson Frizell has played a pivotal role, not only through his on-field performance but through a selflessness that has set the tone for the squad. Despite his standing, Frizell volunteered to come off the bench starting in round one to better suit the team’s needs.
Frizell said the team has simplified its game and is playing to its strengths, emphasizing that the leadership is now shared across the board. He highlighted the contributions of the “busted” play of Phoenix Crossland and the reliability of Mat Croker in the middle, as well as the impact of 35-year-old Dane Gagai on the edge.
Saifiti echoed these sentiments, noting that the rise of emerging leaders like Bradman, Dylan Lucas, and Croker has made his own role more manageable. He said that the collective effort of the group allows the team to remain disciplined, a factor he believes was the deciding difference in their victory over the Raiders.
The danger of the return
Despite the current momentum, the Knights are operating without their two most influential playmakers. Dylan Brown is currently sidelined with a knee injury, while Kalyn Ponga is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in round two. The return of these stars will undoubtedly increase the team’s ceiling, but it also presents a psychological risk.
Saifiti warned that the team must avoid the temptation to relax once the superstars return. He said that when high-profile players rejoin the squad, there is a risk that other players might perceive they no longer have to work as hard. To maintain their current trajectory, he believes the squad must preserve the same hunger and desire they have shown in their absence.
The current run—which includes back-to-back wins over two of last season’s top-four teams—has provided a massive confidence boost. For a player like Saifiti, who missed significant time last season, this start to the 2026 campaign is a culmination of a rigorous pre-season and a desire to move past the club’s previous struggles.
| Opponent | Metres Ran | Tackles | Game Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canterbury | High/Brutal | Consistent | Win (24-16) |
| Canberra | 174m | 31 | Win (32-12) |
The Knights now look toward the next few weeks as a critical transition period. Dylan Brown is expected to return to the lineup in two weeks, with Kalyn Ponga on track to follow shortly after. If the squad can integrate its stars without losing the grit that has defined their start to the season, the 2026 campaign could be the one where Newcastle finally breaks through.
What do you think about the Knights’ current form? Can they maintain this intensity once Ponga and Brown return? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
