Newcastle's second half of the season spiralled out of control as Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Lucas were all forced to watch on from the sidelines.
Without arguably their three best players, the Knights fell to nine consecutive defeats as they slipped down the ladder at a rate of knots to eventually finish with the wooden spoon.
Adam O'Brien decided enough was enough and pulled the plug on his time in the Hunter, with the club agreeing to part ways with the coach at the end of a nightmare campaign.
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Which players have left Newcastle Knights in 2025?
During a terrible year, the Knights were extremely busy behind the scenes as they went about reshaping their roster.
Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson and Kai Pearce-Paul have all been mainstays since their arrivals but have left to join NRL rivals. Brailey was seemingly the only one of the trio that the club didn't try desperately to keep.
Meanwhile, emerging prospects in Will Pryce and Paul Bryan were also moved on during the season.
Full list of Newcastle Knights departures
| Player | New club |
|---|---|
| Jayden Brailey | Canberra Raiders |
| Paul Bryan | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Brock Greacen | Castleford Tigers |
| Riley Jones | Cronulla Sharks |
| Jye Linnane | New Zealand Warriors |
| Kai Pearce-Paul | Wests Tigers |
| Will Pryce | Hull FC |
| Sebastian Su'a | Dolphins |
| Leo Thompson | Canterbury Bulldogs |
Who have the Newcastle Knights signed for 2026?
- Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels)
- Harrison Graham (Dolphins)
- Peter Hola (Dolphins
- Asu Kepaoa (Penrith Panthers)
- Pasami Saulo (Canberra Raiders)
Who have the Knights re-signed for next season?
Fletcher Sharpe emerged as a major hope in Newcastle before his season was cruelly cut short by injury. The flyer signed a new deal to remain at the Knights until at least the end of the 2028 campaign.
It is hoped that Fletcher Hunt and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana will become regular members of the first grade side for years to come and they were rewarded for their work.
Meanwhile, the Knights also handed out extensions to veteran duo Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell after protracted talks.
Phoenix Crossland was also extended, as were reliable pair Mat Croker and Brodie Jones.