The Newcastle Knights have re-signed five-eighth Jack Johns and welcome centre Brent Naden to the club on one-year contracts.
Johns played with the Club’s Under 20s in 2017 and shifted between playing in the halves and back row throughout the campaign.
He was rewarded with selection in Italy’s Rugby League World Cup squad, but his tournament was unfortunately cut short after he fractured his forearm in their opening match.
“Following on from an excellent season, Jack gets the chance to train full time and continue his development at the Club,” General Manager of Football Darren Mooney said.
“For Brent, he joins the Club for an opportunity and provides depth to our outside backs.”
Naden joins the Club from the Canberra Raiders, and while yet to make his NRL debut, he featured in Canberra’s 2017 Auckland Nines campaign.
The 21-year-old is a versatile outside back who can play centre, wing and fullback. In 2015, he was captain of Penrith’s Under 20s team.
Johns and Naden will train with the NRL squad this pre-season.
| 2026 Gains |
| Dylan Brown (Parramatta Eels, 2035) |
| 2026 Losses |
| Jayden Brailey (Canberra Raiders), Jye Linnane (New Zealand Warriors), Will Pryce (Hull FC), Sebastian Su'a (The Dolphins), Leo Thompson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) |
| Re-Signed |
| Mat Croker (2027), Phoenix Crossland (2028), Brodie Jones (2026), Fletcher Sharpe (2028) |
| Off Contract 2025 |
| Adam Elliott, Jackson Hastings, Jack Hetherington, Riley Jones, Kai Pearce-Paul, Mason Teague |
