Hilton Chesterson has emerged as the Newcastle Knights' most exciting forward of 2025. The lean 23-year-old second-rower adds fresh dynamism into a roster still helmed by coach Adam O'Brien and captained by fullback Kalyn Ponga. The Knights have long taken pride on their pack, but Chesterson's blend of pace, off-loads and tackling has revitalised the side's middle third.
The pathway from Singleton paddocks to NRL stardom was swift. After starring for Maitland and earning private-school polish, Chesterson exploded in a preseason against Cronulla, flooring Braden Hamlin-Uele. Less than a year later he locked down the 11 jersey for Newcastle.
Statistics back up the spectacle. He posts 102 metres, 35 tackles and a 93 percent efficiency every week, plus three busts. Four tries are on the board, one a dazzling 30-metre sprint versus Manly. "Hilton is the kind of player coaches dream about," coach O'Brien said. "He is raw, but the ceiling is sky high," the mentor added. Teammates echo the praise, noting his tireless motor lifts training standards.
Away Hilton Chesterson from games he is already adored. Chesterson volunteers weekly with the Hunter Medical Research Institute youth mental health outreach. He stays late signing autographs while the crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium belts out "Chesto". Advertisers have jumped on a regional building-society spot starring Chesterson and Rusty, his cattle dog.
Newcastle locked up Chesterson until 2029, a statement of intent for a regional powerhouse desperate to end its title drought. The faithful see him as the heartbeat of the project, a Hunter son poised to lead them back to grand-final glory.