WHAT WAS CLAIMED
Facebook posts contain genuine news about the Newcastle Knights NRL club.
OUR VERDICT
False. The stories are fake.
AAP FACTCHECK - Newcastle Knights fans are being targeted by Facebook pages pumping out disinformation about their NRL club.
The Iron Knight Nation regularly posts fabricated stories about the Knights while urging followers to click on links to ad-laden websites.
One post claims Knights coach Justin Holbrook gifted a car to a janitor working at the club's home stadium.
"Poor McDonald Jones Stadium Janitor Helps Justin Holbrook with a Flat Tire, The Next Day, a White SUV Showed Up at Her House!" the post reads.
The post identifies the janitor as 'Sarah Mitchell' and claims she encountered Holbrook while working late at the stadium.
However, a Google search does not return any credible reports about the incident or of Holbrook speaking publicly about it.
The post includes images of the purported janitor and white SUV.
A Google reverse image search reveals the supposed janitor is a BMW service technician at a car dealership in Minnetonka, USA.
The original image appears to be a screenshot from a Facebook video posted by the dealership in January 2025.
The image of the white SUV is likewise unrelated and was posted on Pinterest in 2022.
The same image has been used in near-identical posts mentioning other public figures, such as Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy.
Another post claims former Knights and Australia star Robbie O'Davis has died.
"SAD NEWS: Our thoughts are with Newcastle Knights legend Robbie O'Davis (53) during this difficult time," the caption reads.
The post contains a link to an article supposedly confirming the former fullback had "tragically passed away at the age of 53".
However, O'Davis debunked the claim himself in a comment below the post.
"After 3 divorces, nothing can hurt me," the former Knights star wrote.
"Unfortunately I'm still here, and I hate funerals that much I would not even attend mine."
Another post claims Newcastle five-eighth Dylan Brown spoke out against people making comments about his girlfriend's appearance online.
"I don't judge someone based on looks, body type, or what people say online," the post quotes Brown as saying.
"She's the person I love and support every single day, and that's what matters most to me. People forget that there's a real person with real feelings behind every photo and every comment."
There is no credible evidence that the incident occurred, or that Brown said the words attributed to him.
A Google search reveals a near-identical version of the story has been posted about other sports stars, such as Pittsburgh Steelers NFL quarterback Drew Allar.
Another post claims the Knights' two-time premiership-winning captain Andrew Johns has agreed to return to the club to take on a leadership role.
"HISTORY RETURNS: Newcastle Knights legend Andrew Johns has agreed to make a stunning return to the Newcastle Knights in a fast-tracked long-term role…" the caption reads.
AAP FactCheck was unable to find any credible reports that Johns, who retired in 2007, had agreed to take the reins at McDonald Jones Stadium.
In July 2025, the club legend shut down speculation he could join the Newcastle coaching staff in any capacity, nine.com.au reported at the time.
Another post claimed the performer behind the Knights' official mascot, Novo the Knight, had died.
"Tragic Loss: The Newcastle Knights Family Mourns the Passing of the Beloved Performer Behind Novo the Knight Mascot…" the caption reads.
The post includes an image of the mascot in a picture frame surrounded by flowers and candles, and is labelled as "AI content".
A Google search for the text of the post shows other Facebook pages have used almost identical wording to claim the recent deaths of mascots, including Collingwood Magpies' Jock 'One Eye' McPie and Geelong Cats' Half-Cat.
AAP FactCheck previously debunked other Facebook pages spreading false claims about popular NRL clubs, including the Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos.
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