The inside story of the two decade-long homecoming for Knights coach Justin Holbrook

A decade after Justin Holbrook was first considered for the top job in Newcastle, the former Knight has finally returned with an opportunity to restore pride in the Hunter.

Holbrook played 17 games in his NRL career; five of them at the Knights between 1999 and 2000, serving as the understudy to Andrew Johns.

Holbrook then spent time at the Panthers and Roosters, before he rejoined Sydney as an assistant to Trent Robinson early in the veteran coach’s time at the club.

It was then that the Knights job first came up, but as Holbrook explains, the timing wasn’t right for his homecoming.

“The first time I worked at the Roosters, I think it was 2015, and they'd lost a few assistants, so I agreed not to leave within a couple of years,” Holbrook told SEN 1170 Drive.

“The opportunity was actually up at the Knights, so I sort of had a chat to them, and then Robbo (Trent Robinson) said, ‘Listen, mate, the club won't be happy if you progress this’.

“I said I understand that… when I came back this time, I obviously wasn't sure after I left the Titans, what I'd do next or where I'd go.

“When I spoke to Trent, and had a good meeting with him, he said, I know you'll be a head coach again. If you come back and help me, even if it's for a year, I'm happy.

“He said I'll give you the guarantee, you can stay for three and even longer if you want but if you do get an opportunity, as long as you're upfront with me and we discuss it and fortunately enough, the Knights came up.

“I had a chat to Robbo, and even prior to it coming up, when I spoke to him about it, he said you've got a couple of clubs you've got an affiliation with, and Newcastle's one of them from the time I spent up there.

“I have especially great memories of my time up there as a player… just having that connection up there and having mates that live up there and past players sort of even reaching out and saying, congratulations, we're looking forward to having you.

“That sort of connection, I think it's really important.

“I was really fortunate enough to have the support of Trent and Nick (Politis) and the rest of the board.”

It’s that connection with the community that has Holbrook so excited about returning to Newcastle.

The Knights were the unfortunate recipients of the wooden spoon in 2025, and Holbrook is determined to give the Hunter crowds something to cheer about again in 2026.

“It's a rugby league city and… the fans are turning up,” Holbrook said.

“I'm excited to be heading up there and I think it's a great opportunity for myself to turn it around.

“I've got a lot of experience out of it. I enjoyed my time at the Gold Coast, obviously it didn’t finish great but, when I was there, I’d come back from England and I didn’t know any of the staff, any of the players.

“This time around I’m heading up to Newcastle and I already know some of the staff there. I already know a lot of the ex-players that live up there.

“I just feel, with more experience under my belt, way more equipped up there this year.

“When I came back to the times, they were sort of in a similar position… and I was good enough to sort of get them 9th and 8th the first couple of years up there so I'm really confident and really excited about getting up to Newcastle.”

Holbrook’s not the only Rooster on his way to Newcastle however, with utility Sandon Smith joining him in a different shade of red and blue in 2026.

While seemingly signed to play hooker under former coach Adam O’Brien, it appears Smith looms as another halves option for Holbrook, along with Dylan Brown and Fletcher Sharpe.

“It's a tough one… I honestly think he can play both (half and hooker),” Holbrook revealed.

“He played a fair bit of 14 and came on at hooker at stages over the last couple of years with the Roosters.

“I love him in the halves, but it's a matter of putting all the pieces together now, you’ve got Kalyn (Ponga) and Fletcher (Sharpe).

“Dylan Brown's coming, which I'm really excited to be working with him so it's a matter of working out, within the first few weeks, who's best suited, where, and then getting as much time together as we can.

“I've got the luxury of him being able to play either, so, wherever he's needed… but we're gonna try and work that out pretty quick, because that's been the most talked about point over the last few years.

“He's a tough little kid, Sandon, and I'm really excited that he's going up there.”

Holbrook will officially begin his role as Knights head coach on Friday.