It has already been a year to remember for Newcastle Knights utility dummy-half Charley Lahmert, but the 19-year-old has one more goal she hopes to conquer in 2026.
After being awarded the 2026 NSW Women’s Premiership Player of the Year at the annual Brad Fittler Medal Awards Night, Lahmert will return to the Grand Final stage this Saturday as the Knights chase an elusive premiership having made the decider now for three consecutive seasons.
“It is obviously a privilege to be awarded something so special,” Lahmert said.
“It is something that I am super grateful for and super proud of.”
Lahmert’s outstanding form in the NSW Women’s Premiership earned her a call-up the Knights’ NRLW squad, making her debut in Round Eight against the Wests Tigers before quickly establishing herself as a regular part of the squad throughout the back end of the season.
“For us girls to take out the Minor Premiership in the NSW Women’s Premiership and then for me to get the call up to the NRLW, it has just been a surreal year,” she said.
“To be a part of this Knights club, honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better club to come to.”
Since moving from New Zealand to Newcastle, Lahmert has also been named Knights’ Westpac Tarsha Gale Player of the Year twice before bursting onto the senior stage.
Now, she returns to the NSW Women’s Premiership side on the cusp of her second straight Grand Final, having experienced the highs of NRLW finals and the heartbreak of last year’s defeat, with the Knights falling 18-12 to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks after a 10-6 loss to the Steelers in 2024.
“Obviously last year, I was part of the team that got the loss,” Lahmert said.
“I am super grateful for us girls to get that Minor Premiership again this year. Taking out that title is a big achievement for the season, but we aren’t quote where we want to be yet.”
The Knights finished the 2026 regular season as Minor Premiers for a second consecutive year, earning a week off to begin their finals campaign before producing an 18-12 comeback victory over South Sydney Rabbitohs to book their place in Saturday’s Grand Final against Mounties.
“Last year we took out that Minor Premiership, so I think just trying not to be complacent and keep treating each game with a winning mindset,” Lahmert said.
“I think we have learnt a lot from last year.”
Click here to purchase tickets to the 2026 NSWRL Grand Final Day.
