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NRL Notepad: Knights Halves & How They Will Link Up
The Knights halves have chopped and change more times than I can count in recent years, but Dylan Brown is locked in long term.
Jason Oliver
April 24, 2026
Round 8 NRL Notepad
Knights Halves & How They Will Link Up
The Newcastle Knights halves have been chaotic for years. Even coming into this one, and as we speak right now given Kalyn Ponga is sidelined, we’re not 100% on the long term pairing.
What we can be somewhat sure of is that Dylan Brown will wear the #7 jersey for the near future. Whether it’s Fletcher Sharpe or Sandon Smith beside him in the halves, Brown is the main man.
| Round 7 · Roosters v Knights | |||||
| Player | Receipts | Runs | Run Metres | LB Assists | Try Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Brown | 56 | 12 | 90 | — | 1 |
| Sandon Smith | 57 | 11 | 70 | 3 | 1 |
| Fletcher Sharpe | 27 | 19 | 113 | — | — |
We can also be fairly sure on a few things in the Knights attack. One try in Round 7 provided a glimpse into where they’re trying to get to on the field, the shapes they will rely on, and who they will have steering the ship.
Fletcher Hunt finished with a first half hattrick to be credited with most of the halftime headlines. As the Knights gave up a 24-12 lead to lose to the Sydney Roosters 38-24 by the end, any positives from that first 40 minutes became a distance memory.
But looking back, Hunt’s first try is a great example of how Brown is likely to slot into first receiver, and the second service layer will be tasked with getting the ball to Ponga, Hunt, Sharpe, Bradman Best, and any other weapon on the edge.
