The Koori Knockout moment inspiring McEwen's grand final charge
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Newcastle forward Jermaine McEwen has credited last year's Koori Knockout for laying the foundation for a stunning 12 months that will culminate in Sunday's NRL grand final.
The 21-year-old spent the 2025 October long weekend in Tamworth playing for the Newcastle Yowies and played a key role in the side's run to the title in a team coached by Ron Griffiths and also featuring Brad Tighe and Heath Gibbs.
It was a historic occasion for the Yowies, the Newcastle women, Under 15 girls and Under 17 girls also taking home the trophy.
McEwen gets career first double!
The chance to represent his Indigenous heritage came on the back of a mixed year for McEwen in which he made his NRL debut as the Knights collected the wooden spoon.
Twelve months on and the backrower is preparing to add a grand final ring to his Koori Knockout title.
"At that tournament we all come together as one family and represent where we come from and our culture," McEwen told NRL.com. "We're representing our people, our great grandmothers and grandfathers, our aunties and uncles, nieces and nephews.
"It's a chance for us to come together as a big community and have some fun.
"I have learnt that if you're winning in life first, the rest will take care of itself. I feel like we're doing that now, I just want to make everyone proud and I really want to win on Sunday."
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Long viewed as an emerging talent, McEwen, whose mum is Samoan and dad is Indigenous, has enjoyed a breakout year with the Knights.
The damaging backrower has played in 23 matches in his second season in the NRL and formed a lethal combination with centre Dane Gagai on the right edge.
One of multiple Indigenous players in the Newcastle squad, McEwen credits the Koori Knockout for helping him develop the skills to thrive in the NRL.
McEwen with a bump, step and speed
"Knockout footy is what invented my game," McEwen said. "I've brought a lot of knockout footy into my game. That's how I've based my game.
"My game is based on aggression and without the Knockout I wouldn't know how to control it, so it has been really important for me."
With McEwen on the right edge and Francis Manuleleua on the left edge, the Knights boast two of the most damaging backrowers in the NRL.
Remarkably, McEwen is just 21, while Manuleleua is only 22 years old. Despite their inexperience, the pair have thrived throughout the finals series as Newcastle have surged towards an unlikely grand final berth.
Coach Justin Holbrook has been full of praise for the pair and expects them to deliver against the Roosters on Sunday night.
Francis Manuleleua Try
"They've been really impressive," Holbrook said. "Jermaine and Francis have come in and bring a real aggressive nature, which is what we need out there, so they're going a good job for us."
After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
