Newcastle’s 2026 halfback role is undecided, with Sandon Smith, Dylan Brown, and Fletcher Sharpe in contention.

The future of Newcastle’s 2026 NRL halves pairing is uncertain, with Sandon Smith, a 23-year-old halfback signed from the Roosters, vying for the starting role after expressing his desire to play his "dream" position. His move follows Mitchell Pearce’s 2017 departure from the Roosters, a precedent that saw Pearce become a key figure for the Knights. Since Pearce left in 2021, Newcastle has lacked consistency at halfback, using six different players in the No.7 jersey over four seasons. Under new coach Justin Holbrook, the club must decide whether to start Smith, shift $13 million recruit Dylan Brown from five-eighth, or utilize versatile player Fletcher Sharpe. Smith may also play hooker, potentially enabling a Brown-Sharpe halves combination. The Knights have strong backline depth, including James Schiller, Connor Votano, and Wilson DeCourcey, and expect key returnees like Brown and Phoenix Crossland. However, with only two players allowed to wear Nos. 6 and 7 by round one, the final spine remains unclear until well into 2026.