Eddie Lockhart, a Balmain Tigers centre, was the last player to make a grand final debut before the match in 2026, when his side lost 32-12 to Eastern Suburbs at the SCG in 1936.
Diesel Hagan could become the next, if he takes the field for Newcastle against Accor Stadium tonight.
The 19-year-old is among the Knights' bench players, alongside Harrison Graham, while Thomas Cant has been named to start at hooker.
Knights legend Andrew Johns had tipped Hagan as a possible starter.
Speculation about his selection began after first-choice hooker Phoenix Crossland faced a potential multi-week suspension for a tackle on Nathan Cleary.
Hagan was named on the extended reserves bench last Tuesday and elevated to 20th man when the 2026 grand final squads were trimmed.
Raised in the Upper Hunter region, he grew up supporting Newcastle. His father, Ben, won an SG Ball premiership with the club in 2001, the year of its most recent NRL title.
Hagan captained New South Wales' under-19 side this year, which also featured NRL prospects Onitoni Large, Toby Winter and Ryda Talagi.
He began 2026 as Newcastle's NSW Cup reserve hooker, then claimed the starting No. 9 position mid-season.
He has twice been an unused reserve for coach Justin Holbrook since Round 23 and is yet to appear in the NRL.