That’s when the coach will start fashioning a new-look spine. As well as Brown, the Knights have also signed Sandon Smith from Sydney Roosters, to complement incumbents Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe and Phoenix Crossland.
“We’ve got to work that out,” Holbrook said. “Obviously it’s the most talked-about thing up here, the spine, and where everyone plays. But to be honest, I’ve just got to get everyone back to training. I’m excited about fitting them all in.
Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe.Credit: Getty Images
“There’s no doubt they’re all going to fit in … it’s going to be a few weeks until we get them all back, but we’ll work it all out over time.”
Sharpe, the 21-year-old utility back, has resumed training after suffering a lacerated kidney that restricted him to just 14 games last season.
He is expected to partner Brown in the halves next season and is excited about what the Kiwi international can offer the wooden spooners.
“He’s a class player, someone that can create a lot of things out of nothing, which is exciting,” Sharpe said.
Justin Holbrook’s first crusade with the Knights has kicked off.Credit: NRL Photos
“It’s always good to work with high-class players like that. He’s been killing it over there for New Zealand. So that’s even more exciting for him to get back. I’ll work alongside him and see how we can combine.”
Despite speculation last season that Ponga was unsettled at Newcastle and considering the option of playing rugby union overseas, Holbrook said he had no plans to take the captaincy off the 2023 Dally M medallist.
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“I haven’t considered it any different,” he said. “He’ll be the captain. I haven’t seen any reason why not to.”
Ponga missed the last 10 games of 2025 after suffering a foot injury that required surgery, but he has been training throughout his off-season, as have all of Newcastle’s senior players.
Holbrook was confident Newcastle’s revamped spine can provide the team with multiple attacking outlets, rather than relying so heavily on Ponga.
“Kalyn’s obviously front and centre of this football side, absolutely,” he said. “We’ve got a number of key guys that we spoke about this morning.
“It’s going to take a lot of pressure off him and that’s what’s needed. It’s too much on one person and it’s not needed. It’s a team game.”
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