Newcastle's faithful are buzzing about Hilton Chesterson. The young back-rower bolts through defensive lines, pops clever off-loads and crunches ball carriers, giving the Knights the punch they craved. Under Adam O'Brien and Kalyn Ponga, the Hunter club has found its new heart in the middle third.
Born in Singleton in the Hunter Valley, Chesterson sharpened his craft with the Maitland Pickers before earning a scholarship to St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. He joined the Knights pathway at sixteen and stormed through SG Ball then NSW Cup. A viral moment arrived in a 2024 trial Hilton Chesterson versus Cronulla when he smashed prop Braden Hamlin-Uele. Come Round 3, 2025, he was starting in jersey 11 for the full 80.
Raw data and rival coaches agree: Chesterson is the real deal. He runs for a tick over 100 metres, chops down 35 foes and still finds energy to bust tackles. Four early tries hint at attacking upside, and every Knight says his work rate forces the squad to lift.
Chesterson's humility resonates. He fronts mental health sessions, lingers to greet fans and has already fronted a popular television campaign alongside his blue heeler Rusty, sealing his status as Hunter favourite.
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.