The Newcastle Knights have lost some big-name players ahead of an expanded 12-team NRLW next year, but there is still plenty of talent to take the 2022-23 premiers to another finals series. Login or signup to continue reading The 2025 campaign might not begin until mid-year, but here are five players poised to make an impression: There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 18-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, earned a call-up to the Samoan side and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year.
But 2025 could prove even bigger for the powerful second-rower, who has been upgraded from development player to top-24 roster. The St Marys junior will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors and the club has backed her potential by locking down McEwen until the end of 2027. The dynamic forward was impressive on NRLW debut in North Queensland in round nine, coming off the bench to make nine tackle breaks and run 144 metres in a victory over the Cowboys.
She then notched a try off the bench in Newcastle's semi-final loss to the Roosters before announcing herself on the international stage by helping Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Tenika Willison was a late addition to the Knights squad in 2024. She joined the club from Paris, where she was part of New Ze.
