Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien is prioritizing player versatility as he evaluates his team for the upcoming 2026 NRL season, potentially leading to notable positional shifts in the coming weeks.
With star fullback Kalyn Ponga nearing full training readiness, he will return to his primary role as Newcastle’s last line of defense. This will open up competition for othre positions.
Kurt Mann, initially considered a potential winger, will likely be deployed in the halves. He demonstrated his capabilities in this role last year, playing 12 games at five-eighth and scoring 10 tries before a kidney injury ended his season [NRL.com].
Jackson Brown, who recently signed a 10-year deal with the Knights reportedly worth $13 million [SMH], is expected to be the first-choice playmaker.
While Lachlan Smith could be transitioned to a dummy-half role, O’Brien appears set on Kiwi Test hooker Phoenix Crossland as the starting hooker. As a result, Smith may see playing time primarily from the bench.
If the NRL expands interchange reserves from four to six, coaches will gain the versatility to include a specialist halfback on the bench, providing tactical options during games. [Zero Tackle]
Dominic sharpe has proven to be a consistent attacking threat since his debut in 2024, having scored 22 tries in 26 NRL games. However, he has had limited opportunities as a kicker. With Jack Cogger and Jackson Hastings departing the club, Sharpe is actively working to improve this aspect of his game.
“I’ve got one [kicking game],” Sharpe stated. “But we’ve got people at the club who will spend a fair bit of time throughout this off-season progressing that. It’s something I could definitely get better at.”
Lachlan Smith, in contrast, is a proficient kicker, both in general play and for conversions, boasting an 83.5% career strike rate.
The Central Coast junior demonstrated his scoring ability last year, contributing two tries and seven goals in the anzac Day match against st George Illawarra [NRL.com].
Despite his kicking prowess,Smith’s starting position isn’t guaranteed. O’Brien has three weeks to finalize his lineup before the first trial match against the Dragons on february 7.
“You’ve got to have guys who can be versatile … so I want to move guys around as much as I can over the next few weeks,” O’Brien said, emphasizing his intention to assess player adaptability and create a flexible team structure.