Semi-Final football has arrived for our nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side with the team set for a do-or-die battle against the St George Illawarra Dragons this Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Having locked up a finals spot with a win in Round 3, the side will look to create even greater history and book the Club's first Grand Final appearance in the women's competition with a win on Sunday.
They will face tough opposition in last season's Grand Finalists, the Dragons, who finished their regular season in third spot.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side's Semi-Final against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2022
Kick-off: 2:05pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where to watch: The match will be broadcasted on Nine, Fox League and streamed on Kayo Sports.
Upton on return from injury and finals experience
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Knights: 1
Dragons: 1
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Dragons
Semi Final -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma Tonegato
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Kiana TakairangiWinger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan Berry
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregor
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Emmanita PakiWinger for Dragons is number 5 Andie Robinson
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra DibbFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 19 Zali Hopkins
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Caitlan Johnston-GreenProp for Dragons is number 8 Elsie Albert
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley Davis
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Millie ElliottProp for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Dragons is number 16 Monalisa Soliola
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Emma ManzelmannInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy Dodd
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Talei Holmes
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Tara McGrath-West
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Interchange for Knights is number 18 Caitlin MoranInterchange for Dragons is number 21 Shontelle Stowers
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 17 Makenzie WealeReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Renee Targett
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: Caitlin Moran moved into the 17 on Saturday and will come from the bench, with Makenzie Weale going back to 18th player.
TUESDAY: Knights NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths named his 22-woman squad for our historic Semi-Final battle against the Dragons this Sunday.
Kurri Kurri junior and last-round debutant Kayla Romaniuk retained her spot at lock after making her mark in last Sunday’s 30-8 defeat of the Dragons at Central Coast Stadium.
Fullback Tamika Upton has once again been named after being a late withdrawal from each of the Knights last two matches due to a calf complaint. Upton’s selection sees Shanice Parker return to the centres alongside Bobbi Law.
Emmanita Paki has also secured her spot on the wing after solid performances against the Roosters and Dragons, which included her debut NRLW try in Sunday’s victory.
For the Dragons, mass changes after coach Jamie Soward opted to rest several players last week, while some also return from injury.
Captain Kezie Apps and Kiwi Ferns centre Page McGregor are both back in starting roles after a break last week, while Tegan Dymock (shoulder) and Talei Holmes (knee) are named to return but are no guarantee to line up.
Monalisa Soliola also returns to the bench. Shontelle Stowers, Zali Hopkins, Chantel Tugaga, Renee Targett and Aliti Namoce all drop out after playing in Round 5.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights wrapped up second spot with a 30-8 victory over their upcoming finals opponent last round.
The red and blue won four of their five matches in the regular season while also finished with the competition's second best attack (112) and defence (68) records over the five games.
Teitzel on finals excitement and home support
Meanwhile, the Dragons finished in third position with three wins and two losses.
They achieved victories over the Eels, Titans and Broncos during the campaign.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tamika Upton v Emma Tonegato: It's a match-up worthy enough to headline any game around the world with two of the game's best No.1's set for battle.
Upton returns to the Knights line-up after missing the last two games with a calf complaint, but is a huge inclusion at the back.
Having played two less games than some of her counterparts, the fullback still finished with league's most kick return metres (268).
On the other side, the Knights will look to reduce Tonegato's impact with the reigning NRLW Dally M Medalist finishing the regular season with the most runs in the competition and an average of 175 run metres.
Johnston on making finals and progression
STAT ATTACK
This Sunday's game will the first for the Club in the NRLW finals since joining the league in the rescheduled 2021 season.
Co-Captain, Millie Boyle finished the regular season with the most run metres in the competition with 903.
Four players scored their first tries for the Club last round including Jessica Gentle, Kiana Takairangi, Makenzie Weale and Emmanita Paki.
The Dragons made it to last year's Grand Final and finished this season with the most total kick metres with 2,171.
