Brodie Jones Returns After 12-Week Rehab For NSW Cup
Brodie Jones is back for his first game this season on Saturday, and the Knights utility forward will return at lock in NSW Cup against the Eels after foot surgery and a 12-week rehab. For Newcastle, it restores a player option that had been off the board during his recovery.
Jones Back Against the Eels
The switch to lock gives Jones a clear return lane after a long lay-off. Saturday will be his first game this season, and the match against the Eels gives Newcastle a chance to ease him back in while he resumes competitive work.
His absence stretched across foot surgery and a 12-week rehab, leaving the Knights without a utility forward who can fill more than one role. That kind of versatility is hard to replace when a squad is juggling injuries and contract pressure at the same time.
Knights Contract Pressure
The return sits inside a wider Newcastle picture that has not slowed down. Dom Young is one of four priority-listed players who are contracted for next season but can test the market with rival clubs from November 1 if they remain unsigned for 2028, and his agent Michael Cincotta said he expects an extension offer within the next fortnight.
Cincotta said Young wants to stay in Newcastle and also pointed back to the winger’s first spell away from the club in 2024. He said, “He didn't want to leave back then either but the club low-balled him. I think at the time they thought 'we helped grow him and should be rewarded so we deserve a discount. Hopefully, they don't make the same mistake twice.”
Young, Ponga And Newcastle
“Things are in motion and we're expecting we'll get something in the next two weeks,” Cincotta said, adding, “I've spoken to Sully [Knights head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan] and Peter Parr [CEO] and it's all been positive. But we haven't seen anything yet.” He also said, “The team is going well and Dom's flying. He's in the prime of his career so it would be nice for things to go smoothly with the next deal.”
Cincotta said, “Like I said, he wants to stay at the Knights and that's why we are working towards getting a deal done early,” though he added, “But if for some reason things don't work out, Dom's open-minded. There will be other clubs out there that would be attractive to him.” The Knights' priority list had also included Kalyn Ponga and Jermaine McEwen until they recently signed extended deals, while Ponga is three games back from a seven week injury lay-off and Bradman Best tore his hamstring 10 minutes into a game against the Broncos in 2024, three days after Origin III.
Jacob Saifiti is yet to miss a game this season, another sign that Newcastle’s player availability has been uneven but manageable. Jones’ return adds one more option to that mix, and Saturday gives the club a first look at how quickly he can settle back into game shape.
