Butcher Boys Land Major Signing for New Era
The Central Newcastle Butcher Boys have made a significant statement ahead of the 2026 Newcastle Rugby League season, securing the services of Queensland Cup winner Matthew Koellner as the club begins a fresh chapter under new coach Lucas Miller.
The 28-year-old front-row forward, who previously played for Central earlier in his career, returns to the Newcastle Rugby League side after several successful years in Queensland. Koellner's homecoming marks a major coup for the Butcher Boys as they look to improve on their sixth-place finish in the 2025 season.
Proven Performer Returns Home
Koellner brings considerable experience back to Central Newcastle, having made 60 Queensland Cup appearances over the past four years. The Ballina product enjoyed a particularly successful 2025 season, playing 22 matches for the premier-winning Burleigh Bears, who later featured in the State Championship match against the Warriors on NRL grand final day.
"He's a pretty important signing for us," new coach Lucas Miller told the Newcastle Herald. "He was at the club as a young man and then went up to Queensland chasing NRL opportunities. He played 60 to 70 Queensland Cup games and then won the Q-Cup grand final with Burleigh this year."
Miller revealed that Koellner was his number one target upon accepting the coaching position, describing him as "the benchmark front-rower that we wanted to lead the club, on and off the field."
Squad Transformation Underway
The signing comes during a period of significant change for Central Newcastle. Miller was appointed coach earlier this year for the next two seasons after former mentor Adam Bettridge agreed to join Western Suburbs Rosellas.
The club has been active in the player market, also securing former Macquarie half Travis May and hooker Harry Reid, while picking up forward Tyson England from Wyong following the Central Coast club's withdrawal from the competition.
However, the Butcher Boys have experienced notable departures, with playmaker Logan Radzievic and forward Nick Ritter following Bettridge to Wests. Captain Lachlan O'Brien and centre Tyrone Nean are also expected to depart, representing substantial talent loss for the 2024 grand finalists.
Miller remains optimistic about his squad's prospects, highlighting the retention of key players including Isaiah Olsen in the halves alongside new signing Travis May, and Cam Anderson at fullback.
"We're not rebuilding, we're reloading from what's been done before," Miller stated. "I think we've got a really good opportunity with a young squad, and adding some key pieces around that, to challenge for that top five."
Koellner is expected to fill Central's marquee spot, an allowance offered to teams who miss the finals where a player is worth zero points towards the NEWRL's player-points system. The Butcher Boys were due to begin pre-season training this week as they prepare for their 2026 campaign.
