The nib Newcastle Knights will clash with the Titans this Friday night chasing a vital two points in Round 16.
Fresh off a bye round, the Knights will be hungry to overturn their last start after a last-minute loss to the Canberra Raiders.
The Titans went down to Cronulla away from home in the previous round, although will be tough opposition on Friday night.
Get your beanies at McDonald Jones Stadium for Beanie for Brain Cancer Round with all proceeds from the eight games over the weekend going directly to the Mark Hughes Foundation to raise money for brain cancer research.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 16 fixture against the Gold Coast Titans
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v GOLD COAST TITANS
Date: Friday, July 1, 2022
Kick-off: 6:00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
AOB: Back after bye round, team news and Brailey update
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Gates/ Fan Zone (inside Concourse due to wet weather) open: 4:30pm
Game Day Itinerary: See here
Theme: Beanie for Brain Cancer Round
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Take your seat
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Raffle: Mark Hughes Foundation
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2007
Played: 25
Knights: 13
Titans: 12
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Titans
Round 16 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex HoyFullback for Titans is number 1 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick LeeWinger for Titans is number 2 Greg Marzhew
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Titans is number 4 Patrick Herbert
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Titans is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Paul Turner
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam CluneHalfback for Titans is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 David KlemmerProp for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris RandallHooker for Titans is number 9 Erin Clark
-
Prop for Knights is number 22 Daniel SaifitiProp for Titans is number 10 Isaac Liu
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Sam McIntyre
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kurt MannLock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 10 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Titans is number 14 Tanah Boyd
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Simi SasagiInterchange for Titans is number 15 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Leo ThompsonInterchange for Titans is number 17 David Fifita
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Mat CrokerInterchange for Titans is number 19 Herman Ese'ese
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 19 Lachlan FitzgibbonReplacement for Titans is number 18 Corey Thompson
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
Recovery Report: Ponga and Saifiti updates
UPDATE: Daniel Saifiti will make his return from injury coming onto the bench for Pasami Saulo.
Captain Kalyn Ponga was ruled out after suffering a head knock in Game II, with the Bunker determining the effects met the requirements of a category one concussion.
Tex Hoy comes into the team at fullback.
Dane Gagai has been named to back-up from Origin while Daniel Saifiti and Bradman Best are part of the extended squad.
For the Titans, David Fifita (knee) will return via the bench for his first game since round 12 while veterans Kevin Proctor (biceps) and Corey Thompson (knee) are listed among the reserves as they eye a return to action.
Captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has been named to back up from Origin while Moeaki Fotuaika will come off the bench after representing Tonga on Saturday.
BEANIE FOR BRAIN CANCER ROUND
The match is part of the NRL's annual Beanie for Brain Cancer Round with clubs, players and fans uniting to raise money for brain cancer research alongside the Mark Hughes Foundation.
Croker: Opportunities and lessons from Raiders clash
The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) is a charity formed in Newcastle by Knights legend Mark Hughes and wife, Kirralee, following Mark's diagnosis with Brain Cancer in 2013.
The Foundation's mission is to raise much needed funds for research, to create awareness and support brain cancer patients and their families.
Since 2014, over $24 million has been raised to tackle brain cancer while all money raised during the Beanie for Brain Cancer Round goes directly to brain cancer research and patient support.
Support the cause and get your beanies for the game at your local Lowes, IGA or at markhughesfoundation.com.au
FORM GUIDE
The Knights battled hard against the Canberra Raiders last start, but came just short of a victory going down 20-18 in the nation's capital.
Newcastle have won two out of their last five and sit in 12th spot on the ladder.
The Titans were defeated 18-10 by the Sharks in Round 15.
Milford: Start with the Club and representing Samoa
The travelling team currently sit in 16th with three wins and 12 losses.
The Knights beat the Titans in their most recent encounter, winning 15-14 in Round 24 last season.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tyson Frizell v Beau Fermor: Two fierce and hard-running second-row forwards will go toe-to-toe on Friday.
Frizell has consistently been one of the Knights best this season with three tries, 102 run metres per game and 11 offloads.
The Origin representative will form a back-row partnership with Mitch Barnett for the red and blue.
On the other side, the Knights will look to defend Fermor, who boasts a strong running game.
The forward has scored five tries this campaign, averaged 111 run metres and was recently apart of the Queensland Maroons extended squad.
STAT ATTACK
For second-phase footy, the Knights sit seventh in the NRL for offloads with 137 while the Titans sit in 11th with 125.
The Knights narrowly edge the Titans in the record stakes with 13 wins to 12 since the Gold Coast came into the competition in 2007.
Hard Hitting Questions: Milk or Milo first?
Dane Gagai has 44 tackle breaks for this season- the most from the Knights.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui sits third in the NRL for post-contact metres with 954 metres.
