‘Not telling everything’: Coaches remain coy on big grand final questions

A teenager who doesn’t even have an official photo on Newcastle’s website is in line to make his NRL debut in the grand final on Sunday.

Diesel Hagan was named in the No.21 jersey on Tuesday but Knights icon Andrew Johns has revealed “a big rumour” the 19-year-old will be catapulted into the starting hooker role against the Roosters on Sunday.

Diesel Hagan doesn’t even have a photo. NRL

Phoenix Crossland was initially named in the No.9 jersey but will miss the game after being suspended by the judiciary on Tuesday night.

The Knights have shuffled their line-up and put Harrison Graham at hooker, for now, but coach Justin Holbrook appears to be plotting what would be a stunning late team change for the title decider.

“There’s a big rumour going around that the young hooker… is going to debut,” Johns said on Nine’s Today.

“He’s never played an NRL game. Very good young player, but he’s only a baby.

“There is mail around that he may start.

“I was at training yesterday and I was watching him do drills with Danny Buderus, I asked Danny ‘who is that bloke?’... intrigue.”

Knights coach Holbrook was asked who would start at hooker at Thursday’s press conference, and gave an intriguing answer.

“Harrison Graham has obviously played a lot this year, so that’s the obvious replacement and that’s what we’ll go with, I’d say so,” Holbrook smirked.

“I’m not telling everything because there’s someone sitting next to me (Roosters coach Trent Robinson).”

Holbrook was asked specifically about Hagan and said he is “a great young player”.

Hagan has represented NSW at under 19s State of Origin level and was upgraded to a Knights development contract in July. He has also been guaranteed a spot on their top-30 roster in 2028.

Diesel Hagan in action for Newcastle. Instagram

At Thursday’s press conference, both Holbrook and Robinson were pressed on team selection queries.

The fitness of Connor Watson has remained a major talking point, with the Chooks utility undergoing a series of tests after suffering a concussion last weekend.

On Friday Watson was ruled out of the game.

Robinson was then asked who the back-up plan would be if Watson was ruled out.

“I don’t think it would take too much to work out what plan B is,” he said.

“We’ve got some really good hookers. Benaiah Ioelu has played some great footy for us this year, he brings a lot of energy. He will come into consideration.”

Both coaches shared respect and laughs for one another at a jovial presser, as Holbrook spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons as an assistant under Robinson.

Teams will be confirmed at 6.30pm on Sunday, one hour before the game kicks off.