Newcastle star Bradman Best has opened up on the role the Las Vegas season opener played in the side’s stunning charge to the second week of the finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While they finished with the wooden spoon in 2025, there was plenty of intrigue surrounding the Knights heading into the new year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With a new coach, a host of high-profile recruits and a healthy Kalyn Ponga, Allegiant Stadium provided the perfect stage to prove they were genuine contenders this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The fullback starred as Newcastle claimed an impressive 28-18 win over the Cowboys and they haven’t looked back.<\/p>\n
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Knights\u00a0v Cowboys \u2013 Round 1, 2026<\/p>\n
“That’s where it started for us,” Best told NRL.com. “We spoke in pre-season about Round 1 being a very important game for us. It was where we could show who we are and what we’re about this year. That game definitely laid the platform.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Coming home I truly believed we had the team to do something special. We basically had the same team as last year and added a few people. They were great signings, they’ve been massive for us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“After Vegas I truly believed we could turn the team around and make finals and we’re doing that.”<\/p>\n
The Knights are eager to continue a remarkable rise when they play the Warriors at a sold-out Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The winner will take on the Panthers in next week’s preliminary final at Accor Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s a position few expected Newcastle would be in after they finished last in 2025 however new coach Justin Holbrook has totally revamped their attack and introduced a host of exciting young players.<\/p>\n
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Bradman Best Try<\/p>\n
Halfback Sandon Smith worked with Holbrook during his time as an assistant at the Roosters and didn’t hesitate when an opportunity to join him at the Knights emerged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The playmaker said it quickly became clear the moment he arrived in Newcastle the coach was building something special.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It started back in November when we first came to training,” Smith said. “The coaching staff has done a great job off the back of last year coming in and straight away creating an environment and style of play that we want to play and can execute.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“They’ve instilled that belief in us that if we do that we’ll be a strong side and that’s where it all started.”<\/p>\n
Confidence is high heading into Sunday’s match but the Knights have faced plenty of adversity throughout the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Halfback Dylan Brown tore his ACL in Round 21 on a horror night that also saw Dylan Lucas fracture his ankle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The backrower is in the frame for a shock comeback on Sunday afternoon and even has his sights on a place in the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many feared the pair’s absence would cripple Newcastle’s season but Smith slid straight into the No.7 jumper and Francis Manuleleua has been a revelation throughout the past couple of months.<\/p>\n
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McEwen gets career first double!<\/p>\n
Along with emerging forward Jermaine McEwen, the pair have tormented opposition defenders in recent weeks and experienced forward Tyson Frizell is expecting more of the same this weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“They’ve been playing without any fear and they’re both a ball of energy at the moment,” Frizell said. “Francis has got his opportunity at the back end of the year with Dylan being out.<\/p>\n
He’s always been a player full of talent just waiting for his opportunity. He’s been working hard behind the scenes and is getting the rewards now.<\/p>\n
“Jermaine is just full of confidence, he’s getting through 80 minutes of work every week and has been better for it.”<\/p>\n