Liam Knight signs with new team after return to Australia gets him closer to Danika Mason

Liam Knight has signed with the Cessnock Goannas in the NSW Hunter Valley in a bid to prove he still has what it takes to play NRL. The 31-year-old forward played NRL from 2016 to 2024, before moving to England to play with Hull FC.

After one season with Hull he was granted a release from his contract and moved back to Australia - partly to be closer to fiancee and Channel 9 personality Danika Mason. Knight believes he still has plenty to give at NRL level, but at this stage he's had to settle for playing local footy in the Denton Engineering Cup in the Newcastle region.

Knight trained with Cessnock on Tuesday and could be in line to play his first game for the Goannas this weekend. Cessnock is the junior club of a number of Newcastle Knights legends, including Johns brothers Andrew and Matthew. Steve Simpson and Billy Peden are also from Cessnock, as is current player Fletcher Sharpe.

Knight made his NRL debut for Manly in 2026, but only played one game at first-grade level for the club. He played nine games for Canberra from 2017 to 2018, 66 for South Sydney (2019-2023) and seven for the Bulldogs (2023 and 2024).

Liam Knight believes he can still play NRL

The 31-year-old has been in a relationship with Mason for a number of years, and last year the couple got engaged. Knight revealed last year he still harboured a desire to play NRL, which would get him closer to Mason in Australia.

"I love it over there (in England). I love playing footy. The crowds are hectic, the fans are cool, it's good quality football," he said.

"I went there to win, I'm not there on a holiday. I'm over here doing long distance, missing everyone at home, my girlfriend and everyone. I'm not here to muck around. I want to make a difference and be a leader, win some games and then come back to the NRL."

When Knight was playing in England they had to do a long-distance relationship. "We’re lucky. We can celebrate each other’s wins from afar," Mason said previously. "It’s probably beneficial that he doesn’t have to hear a 3.45am alarm go off every morning (for the Today Show)."

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