There's no better day than game day.
After a victory over the Gold Coast last week, the nib Newcastle Knights have momentum on their side and ready to finish the year off in style.
This week the boys are away this Friday, facing North Queensland in Townsville.
Here's everything you need to know:
Game day info
Date: Friday, July 27
Gates Open: 3:00pm
Prelim Game - Cowboys Old boys Vs Masters Police 4:00pm
Pre-Match Show: 5:00pm
NRL Kick Off: 6:00pm
Kalyn Ponga Q&A: Part 1
Venue
1300Smiles Stadium
14 Golf Links Drive, Kirwan, QLD
Tickets
Available online at Ticketek or call 132849.
The teams
Team List: Round 20
Knights:
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Ken Sio
3. Sione Mata'utia
4. Nathan Ross
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6. Connor Watson
7. Mitchell Pearce ©
8. Jacob Lillyman
9. Danny Levi
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Aidan Guerra
14. Jamie Buhrer ©
15. Chris Heighington
16. Josh King
17. Herman Ese'ese
18. Nick Meaney
19. Cory Denniss
20. Jack Cogger
21. JJ Felise
Cowboys:
1. Te Maire Martin
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Enari Tuala
4. Kane Linnett
5. Justin O'Neill
6. Jake Clifford
7. Johnathan Thurston (C)
8. John Asiata
9. Jake Granville
10. Scott Bolton
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Coen Hess
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Ben Hampton
15. Shaun Fensom
16. Mitchell Dunn
17. Corey Jensen
18. Matt Scott
19. Ethan Lowe
20. Francis Molo
21. Jordan McLean
The preview show
The Round Table: Rd18
Our game day show, The Round Table, has everything you need to get fired up before the game.
Featuring Newcastle Herald reporter Barry Toohey, the gang preview the game and provided the latest news and insights from inside Club land.
The show can be found on our Facebook page or in the video above!
Injury update
Casualty ward: Ponga return, Sione update and Moga rehab
Injured players and expected return dates:
Tautau Moga (ACL, Season)
Slade Griffin (Knee, Season)
Jacob Saifiti (Shoulder, Round 22-23)
The stat
Cowboys Stat Attack: 1300Smiles Stadium has not been a fortress for the Cowboys this season, with North Queensland losing their past five games at the ground, but they do have a successful recent record there against Newcastle who have won just once in their past six trips to Townsville.
Knights Stat Attack: Newcastle have the best set completion rate in the Telstra Premiership this season with 80%. The Cowboys were the best in the competition last year, alongside the Warriors, also with 80%.
Pearce: 'It's about being composed and resilient as a team'
Head-to-head: Played 36; Knights 19 wins, Cowboys 17 wins
Previous result: Cowboys won 24-12 at 1300Smiles Stadium in round 8, 2017
Points per game: Cowboys 15.8; Knights 18.3
Points conceded per game: Cowboys 21.5; Knights 26.0
Getting to the game
Public transport
Visit Sunbus Website HERE
Parking
Car Parking is limited at the venue and can be purchased through the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys. Please phone 1300 GO COWBOYS and select option 7 for their team.
If you do not pre-book, make sure you arrive early and allow plenty of time for travel and to find a parking space.
Park and Ride Service
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys offer a FREE park and ride service. The Park & Ride location is at the Kirwan Health Campus on Thuringowa Drive in the front car park. Please note that times for this service vary and you will have to contact the stadium administration office on 4722 7700 for timings.
nib Inspiring Moment: Mitch Barnett's 50th NRL Game
Taxi
A taxi rank (pick up and drop off) is located adjacent to the Northern Entrance of 1300SMILES Stadium. Contact Townsville Taxi's on 131 008 to book a taxi to the event; head out to the Taxi Rank at the end of the match for your departure taxi.
Bus Parking
1300SMILES Stadium offers several bus parking bays at the Northern Bus & Taxi Area. Pre-booking of these spots is not required. Please note you will need to enter the Bus & Taxi Area via Morindo Drive, Kirwan. A member of the security team will assist you in entering and allocating a parking bay for the event.
To Watch
Player's Player: Mitch Barnett
The match will be televised on Fox League.
ISP and Flegg
The @NRLKnights Twitter account will be commentating both grades live.
Saturday, July 28
ISP - Round 20
Newcastle Knights v Wentworthville Magpies
Venue: Cessnock Sports Ground
Kick-off: 3pm
Jersey Flegg - Round 20
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels
Venue: Cessnock Sports Ground
Kick-off: 1.30pm
