One thing stood out when the Knights interviewed Justin Holbrook: his vision for the club was clear.
Holbrook knew exactly how he wanted the team to play, how they should look and, most importantly, how they should attack.
When Adam O’Brien parted ways with the Knights in August 2025, Newcastle compiled a strong list of candidates to interview.
Blake Green and Brian McDermott were already at the club as part of O’Brien’s coaching staff, and mounted compelling cases. Both men put a strong emphasis on tidying up the defence and knew which kids were going to make the leap into grade football.
So did Dean Young, who was polished, well spoken and working as an assistant at St George Illawarra, well before he was catapulted into the main job at the Dragons. Young placed plenty of importance on making sure the club’s pathways were in place.
Then there was Brad Arthur, who was coaching at Leeds in the Super League. He had already proven himself in the NRL by taking Parramatta to the grand final in 2022. His two boys, Matt and Jake, were no strangers to the club, and Arthur snr knew how to get the best out of Newcastle’s new 10-year, $13 million man, Dylan Brown, who made his NRL debut at the Eels under BA.
Newcastle chief executive Peter Parr, director of football Chris James, chairman Geoff Coburn, board member Tony Price and club legend Michael Hagan, who was coach when the Knights won their last premiership in 2001, were all on the selection panel.
They loved what Holbrook had to say; how he wanted to tap into the attacking talents of Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Dom Young, Fletcher Sharpe, Fletcher Hunt, Sandon Smith and Brown, to name a few.
The 1997 and 2001 premiership teams were known for their gritty, blue-collar defence, but they also had plenty to offer in attack, via the likes of Andrew and Matthew Johns, Robbie O’Davis, Matt Gidley and Timana Tahu.
Holbrook had also won a Super League grand final in 2019 at St Helens, a one-team town in the north of England, which was a good comparison to Newcastle.
He was working as an assistant at the Roosters, Sunday’s rivals, who are known for chasing success every year, and demanding the best from the best.
Holbrook’s thirst for knowledge and success also stretched to the international game, where he had spent time with Mal Meninga at the Kangaroos.
A constant theme this week is how approachable and relatable Holbrook is. The panel wanted their coach to be able to talk to everyone, from the cashed-up surfies living in Merewether to the no-nonsense miners of Cessnock.
Holbrook was also determined to tap into the old boys’ network, and remind them all that what they had done for the club would never be forgotten. Danny Buderus was one of the first Holbrook went to. The new coach made it clear what he wanted from him as an assistant coach before the pre-season commenced.
Green joined North Queensland, McDermott linked with Josh Hannay on the Gold Coast, Young is now in charge at the Red V and Arthur, not long after interviewing for the Newcastle job, took up an extension with Leeds, who reached the semi-finals of the Super League this season.
One of the first things Holbrook, 50, did when he got the job was to take the players down a mine to not only get a glimpse of the hard work involved, but to give back to the people in the community who pay their hard-earned every second week to cheer on their beloved rugby league team.
When reminded about the trip to the coal mines this week, Holbrook said: “I know how hard working our town is. We talk about the miners and how much the Knights mean to the guys who spend 12 hours working down in the pit. I asked the boys, ‘Who has actually been down there?’ Nobody had. And none of the staff. So I organised to do it.
“We had a few hours down in the pit, and we quickly realised it’s hard work.”
Every successful coach needs a special relationship with his captain, someone who can help get the messaging across to the playing group, which is exactly what Ponga has done.
“I just want Kalyn to be himself, and I said that to him when I first came in,” Holbrook said.
“He doesn’t have to say too much, he just has to lead with his actions. He’s been fantastic.”
Ponga has declared his love for Holbrook on many occasions during the finals.
“You hear the playing group reflects your coach, and I believe that’s true – we don’t overcome the adversity and challenges we’ve had this year without someone like him steering the ship,” Ponga told this masthead last month.
“His calmness, his ability to get on with things, he doesn’t make an issue too big or small, and finds reasons to win, not reasons to lose.
“He gives everyone the space to be themselves on and off the field, which makes you be the best version of yourself.”
Pressed about Holbrook at Wednesday night’s Dally Ms, Ponga said: “It takes someone special to turn this team around from where we were last year [wooden spooners]. To come in and be so level-headed and consistent – his personality rubs off on us all, and he makes us better people and players. He’s the reason why we’re here.”
More NRL grand final coverage
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter. (edited)
From our partners
About the Author
