Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons
Date: Saturday, February 23
Location: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Time: 4pm (NRL)
The nib Newcastle Knights begin preparations for the 2019 NRL season on Saturday evening, as they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in their first trial.
Several new signings, including Kangaroos prop David Klemmer, will line up in Nathan Brown’s squad, while a number of players hoping to debut in first grade will be given game time against last season’s semi-finalists.
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LIVE STREAM
Live coverage of the NRL match will be streamed right here on: https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/
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TEAMS
Newcastle
Aidan Guerra
Brodie Jones
Beau Fermor
Connor Watson
Daniel Saifiti
Danny Levi
David Klemmer
Edrick Lee
Herman Ese’ese
James Gavet
Josh King
Jacob Gagai
Jamie Buhrer
Jesse Ramien
Kalyn Ponga
Kurt Mann
Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Mitchell Pearce
Mason Lino
Mitch Barnett
Nathan Ross
Pasami Saulo
Phoenix Crossland
Sione Mata’utia
Star To’a
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Tim Glasby
Tex Hoy
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St George Illawarra
Euan Aitken
Mitchell Allgood
Matt Dufty
Jai Field
Jackson Ford
Jacob Host
Ben Hunt
Josh Kerr
Tim Lafai
Jeremy Latimore
Blake Lawrie
Luciano Leilua
Zac Lomax
Joe Lovodua
Lachlan Maranta
Steven Marsters
Cameron McInnes
Darren Nicholls
Corey Norman
Jordan Pereira
Mikaele Ravalawa
Reece Robson
Tristan Sailor
Korbin Sims
Tariq Sims
Lachlan Timm
Paul Vaughan
Gareth Widdop
GETTING ‘D’ IN ORDER
Narrowly avoiding the Sea Eagles for the dubious honour of having the worst defence in the NRL last year, the Knights will be looking to highlight the defensive strides made over the pre-season.
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Bolstering the forward pack with representative trio David Klemmer, Tim Glasby and James Gavet, coach Nathan Brown has stressed the importance of defence in order to push for a top eight finish.
IN CASE OF INJURY
While Kalyn Ponga showed plenty of class playing for the Maori All Stars last Friday, former Warriors playmaker Mason Lino will be out to ensure he isn’t forgotten when the Round 1 team is named.
Selected in Brown's extended squad, the 25-year-old Samoan international will provide coach Brown with a strong insurance policy should Ponga or captain Mitchell Pearce spend a stint on the sidelines.
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AN EYE TO THE FUTURE
Unlikely to revisit the days of debuting 11 rookies in first grade anytime soon, Saturday’s trial will give Newcastle supporters a glimpse to the future.
Coming close to an NRL call-up last season, second-rower Brodie Jones has been named as part of the squad, alongside reigning Jersey Flegg Player of the Year Beau Fermor.
COMPETITION FOR POSITIONS
Just like last season, nine new signings have joined the Knights for the new campaign.
With competition for positions set to see regulars from last year’s team fighting to hold onto their spots in first grade, new recruits and young guns alike will be pushing for a place in the NRL team to take on Cronulla in a months’ time.
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KEY TIMINGS:
Gates open: 2:15pm
Intrust Super Premiership NSW kick-off: 2:30pm
NRL kick-off: 4pm
TICKETS
Tickets (General Admission) for Saturday’s match are available at the ground.
