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Newcastle entered 2025 with expectations of finishing somewhere around the edge of the top eight. <\/p>\n
Instead, the Knights crashed to an unexpected wooden spoon, a result that stunned the fanbase and ended the tenure of head coach Adam O’Brien<\/a>.<\/p>\n The squad was never short on talent. At their best they defended with grit and scrambled hard, but a failure to build consistent combinations in the spine, constant reshuffling of key positions, a drop in confidence, and an inability to finish attacking sets left them stuck in a cycle of close losses and late-game collapses.<\/p>\n The club has responded with a major recruitment drive. Dylan Brown<\/a> arrives on a ten-year, thirteen-million-dollar mega-deal. Trey Mooney<\/a> joins to stiffen the middle rotation. Sandon Smith<\/a> comes from the Roosters to add creativity, depth and a reliable goal-kicking option. Dominic Young<\/a> has returned mid-season to reclaim his right-wing spot. With Bradman Best<\/a>, Dylan Lucas<\/a>, Phoenix Crossland<\/a> and Fletcher Sharpe<\/a> already in place, the Knights now have the makings of a top-eight roster on paper.<\/p>\n These are the five players who must rise for Newcastle to return to finals football.<\/p>\n 5. Kalyn Ponga<\/p>\n Why his role is so important Holbrook’s attacking structures suit fullbacks who play at speed and react instinctively. If Ponga is fully fit, he becomes the heartbeat of Newcastle’s attack.<\/p>\n What must improve A fully fit Ponga is essential if the Knights are to shift from wooden spooners to finals contenders.<\/p>\n
At his peak Kalyn Ponga<\/a> is one of the most destructive left-edge fullbacks the modern game has produced. His sweeping movement, acceleration and ability to break open a defensive line make Newcastle instantly dangerous. With Dylan Brown<\/a> arriving and Bradman Best<\/a> fit, Ponga suddenly has elite strike runners around him again.<\/p>\n
Ponga struggled to replicate his 2023 Dally M form. He carried injuries and rarely built continuity. His defensive organisation and back-field positioning must sharpen. Newcastle also need him to inject himself earlier in sets rather than drifting in and out of matches.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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