Ultimate Guide: Broncos confirm team

After a pulsating and exhilarating 2021 season, the final round of the competition is here.

Heading into the final game, the nib Newcastle Knights have sown up seventh spot on the table with 12 wins and 11 losses.

The side will view the game as an ideal chance to continue their winning ways and build confidence heading into the finals series.

The Knights have won five games on the bounce while Brisbane will be playing for pride on their home turf.

This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 25 fixture against the Brisbane Broncos, brought to you by Mine Super.

BRISBANE BRONCOS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Saturday September 4th, 2021

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 1988

Played: 53

Broncos: 35

Knights: 17

Draws: 1

TEAMS

Broncos

1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Selwyn Cobbo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Xavier Coates, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Albert Kelly, 8. Ethan Bullemor, 9. Jake Turpin, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington. Interchange: 14. Corey Paix, 15. David Mead, 16. Rhys Kennedy, 17. TC Robati. 18th Man: 19. Brodie Croft.

Coach: Kevin Walters

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Starford Toa, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Chris Randall, 15. Josh King, 17. Jack Johns 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Connor Watson. Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 16. Jirah Momoisea, 19. Pasami Saulo, 21. Simi Sasagi. 18th Man: 20. Tex Hoy.

Coach: Adam O'Brien

TEAM NEWS

LATE MAIL: Jesse Arthars has dropped off the Broncos reserves, with Brodie Croft named at 18th man.

The remainder of the side is 1-17 as per Tuesday's program.

Meanwhile, Sauaso Sue has been omitted from the side, with Josh King drafted into the starting line up.

Simi Sasagi comes onto the bench, while Tex Hoy will be the 18th man.

UPDATE: Kevin Walters has opted to omit Jermayne Isaako and Danny Levi from his side.

Tyson Frizell and Dom Young were the players to drop off Adam O'Brien's team sheet, with Frizell rested after a big five weeks stretch of games.

Jack Johns comes into the starting side, with Pasami Saulo drafted onto the bench.

EARLIER: For the final round of the season, Adam O'Brien has opted to rest a number of his troops ahead of next week's elimination final.

Hymel Hunt, Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey and Mitch Barnett will have the opportunity to recharge ahead of the finals series.

Starford To'a comes onto the wing in Hunt's place for his first game since Round 13, while Chris Randall will be given an opportunity in the No.9 jumper.

Brodie Jones shuffles into the starting side, allowing Phoenix Crossland to slot into the No.14 utility role.

Jack Johns also returns to the 17, while Jirah Momoisea will play his third game on the bounce ahead of the finals.

For the Broncos, Jordan Riki and Ethan Bullemor return to the side.

TC Robati moves back to the bench while Bullemor comes into the starting side for the suspended Tom Flegler.

Corey Paix replaces Danny Levi on the interchange bench.

FORM GUIDE

Off the back of five straight victories, Newcastle has locked in a top eight spot.

A Mitchell Pearce field goal sealed a 15-14 win over the Gold Coast Titans last start securing a second consecutive playoffs appearance.

Newcastle can't finish any higher or lower than seventh spot and will take on the 6th placed side in the opening week of the finals.

Brisbane currently sit in 15th, although have won two of their past five. 

The Broncos went down to the Cronulla Sharks last start 24-16.

FINALS CONUNDRUM

The smell of September is in the air and the Knights will once again vie for the premiership in the final month of the competition.

As mentioned, Newcastle will finish in 7th and will take on 6th place the following weekend, while their opposition will be decided this weekend.

The Knights will definitely face either Manly, Parramatta or the Roosters in the first week of the finals in an elimination semi.

All three sides sit on 32 points while the Roosters currently sit in sixth with the inferior points differential.

Manly will take on the Cowboys, the Eels will face the Panthers and the Roosters will tackle the Raiders in Round 25.

KEY MATCH-UP

Kalyn Ponga v Tesi Niu

The battle of the fullbacks will highlight our key match-up with both players possessing match-winning abilities.

KP was influential in the result over the Titans scoring a try and setting up another in a see-sawing battle with the Gold Coast.

Ponga has made 68 tackle breaks combined with 11 try-assists in 2021 while Niu has made 51 tackle breaks this season and made six line-breaks.

The Knights will need to be wary of Niu who boasts a strong running game and has scored three tries in his past four games.

STAT ATTACK

Metre-eater David Klemmer sits fifth in the NRL for post contact metres with just under 1,300 metres.

Jayden Brailey will miss this weekend's game but sits on top of the NRL tackle count with 1,036 tackles. The Dragons' Andrew McCullough sits just behind with 1,010.

The Knights sit equal second in the NRL for set completion percentage with 79.4 per cent.

The last time the Knights won six games in a row was in 2019.

Newcastle have won the last four games against Brisbane including a 28-20 victory in Round 21 this season.