Former Hull FC star Liam Knight lands new club Down Under with chance of NRL return
Liam Knight in action for Hull FC in 2025
Former Hull FC star Liam Knight has joined New South Wales Cup outfit North Sydney Bears, and may now be in with a chance of sealing an NRL return.
Knight joined Super League side Hull early on in the 2025 campaign, and impressed as he made 19 appearances across all competitions to earn himself a contract extension for 2026.
Rumours circulated throughout the off-season that the versatile forward wanted to return home to Australia, and after playing just three times at the beginning of this year for the Black and Whites, he did exactly that.
But it was not an NRL return for Knight, who instead joined Cessnock Goannas, a side that compete within the Newcastle Rugby League system in the Denton Engineering Cup.
The Goannas have failed to make the play-offs in that competition, sitting ninth in a ten-team league, meaning Knight has been permitted to move onto pastures new in the shape of North Sydney Bears.
Former Hull FC star Liam Knight lands new club Down Under with chance of NRL return
Alice Springs-born Knight – who can slot into the front row or at loose forward – has played at first-grade level Down Under for Manly Sea Eagles, Canberra Raiders, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury Bulldogs: racking up 83 NRL appearances.
Set to turn 32 in January, the utility will round off this season with North Sydney Bears, who sit second on the ladder in the NSW Cup behind Penrith Panthers’ reserves and will compete in the play-offs this term.
The veteran made his debut for them over the weekend just gone, coming off the bench in a big win over Western Suburbs Magpies, with 69 metres made in 33 minutes on the field.
Notably, Knight’s new team may provide him with an opportunity to return to the NRL through their connection with new franchise Perth Bears – who will enter Australia’s premier competition at the start of next season.
If Knight is able to catch the eye over the next few weeks while playing in the NSW Cup, it may result in either an NRL contract from Perth going into 2027 or being kept around at second-grade level.
If the latter happens, he could then be called into NRL action if required at any point during the 2027 campaign.
