The Knights' six rising talents in State of Origin arena

The Advertiser

4 hours ago

There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024.
The 19-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, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year.
This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower.
The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors.
The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March.
Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen.
"She's just dynamic," Jeffries said.
"She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale.
"She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world."
The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm).
McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad.
Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad.
The men's exchange is at 7.45pm.
"I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald.
"This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again.
"There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again."
McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year.
"It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said.
"It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy.
"I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again."
Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side.
Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024.
The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights.
Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back.
The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys.
Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up.
Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match.
"It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said.
"You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well."
Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL.
A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028.
Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence.
"He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said.
"He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job."
MORE IN SPORT:
The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup.
"He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said.
"Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape."
Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year.
"He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said.
"Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin."
There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024.
The 19-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, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year.
This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower.
The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors.
The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March.
Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen.
"She's just dynamic," Jeffries said.
"She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale.
"She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world."
The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm).
McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad.
Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad.
The men's exchange is at 7.45pm.
"I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald.
"This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again.
"There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again."
McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year.
"It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said.
"It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy.
"I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again."
Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side.
Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024.
The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights.
Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back.
The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys.
Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up.
Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match.
"It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said.
"You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well."
Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL.
A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028.
Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence.
"He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said.
"He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job."
MORE IN SPORT:
The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup.
"He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said.
"Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape."
Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year.
"He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said.
"Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin."
There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024.
The 19-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, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year.
This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower.
The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors.
The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March.
Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen.
"She's just dynamic," Jeffries said.
"She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale.
"She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world."
The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm).
McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad.
Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad.
The men's exchange is at 7.45pm.
"I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald.
"This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again.
"There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again."
McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year.
"It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said.
"It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy.
"I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again."
Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side.
Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024.
The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights.
Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back.
The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys.
Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up.
Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match.
"It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said.
"You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well."
Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL.
A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028.
Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence.
"He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said.
"He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job."
MORE IN SPORT:
The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup.
"He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said.
"Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape."
Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year.
"He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said.
"Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin."
There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024.
The 19-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, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year.
This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower.
The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors.
The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March.
Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen.
"She's just dynamic," Jeffries said.
"She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale.
"She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world."
The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm).
McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad.
Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad.
The men's exchange is at 7.45pm.
"I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald.
"This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again.
"There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again."
McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year.
"It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said.
"It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy.
"I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again."
Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side.
Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024.
The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights.
Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back.
The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys.
Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up.
Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match.
"It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said.
"You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well."
Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL.
A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028.
Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence.
"He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said.
"He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job."
MORE IN SPORT:
The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup.
"He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said.
"Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape."
Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year.
"He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said.
"Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin."