The nib Newcastle Knights are back at McDonald Jones Stadium for a Friday night showdown against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The side will don their 2024 Indigenous Jersey in line with the NRL's Indigenous Round, which occurred during Round 12.
Fresh off a bye round and four straight victories, the squad will be eager to continue their winning run back in front of the Hunter faithful.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Date: Friday 31 May
NRL kick-off: 8:00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
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GAME DAY INFORMATION
We've broken down everything you need to know ahead of kick-off to make sure you enjoy your footy.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 56
Knights: 26
Bulldogs: 29
Draws: 1
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Bulldogs
Round 13 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 David ArmstrongFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari TualaWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Krystian MapapalangiCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Jacob Kiraz
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Drew Hutchison
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jacob Preston
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jaeman Salmon
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix CrosslandInterchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Josh Curran
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Daniel SaifitiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Kurtis Morrin
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas CantReplacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Harry Hayes
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
In team news, Krystian Mapapalangi earns his first appearance of the season, replacing Bradman Best (hamstring) in the centres.
Daniel Saifiti re-joins the squad after serving a one match suspension in Round 11.
For the Bulldogs, Toby Sexton and Drew Hutchison team up together in the halves with Matt Burton away in Blues camp.
Captain Stephen Crichton is also out on state duty, so Jacob Kiraz moves to centre and Blake Wilson comes in on the wing for his first NRL game since Round 3.
Jacob Preston moves into the second row for the injured Viliame Kikau and Kurt Mann returns at lock after being rested last week.
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INDIGENOUS ROUND
The Club will celebrate Indigenous Round this week in line with the NRL's Indigenous Round, which occurred during Round 12.
The side will don their 2024 Indigenous Jersey on Friday night, designed by renowned Newcastle and Hunter Region artist Saretta Fielding.
Fielding’s artwork – titled ‘Powaikaliko Piriraal Malang’, which means ‘Grow Strong Together’ –shares the story of the Knights family, reflecting a commitment to grow through connecting with communities and countries whilst bringing acknowledgement to the Awabakal, Worimi and Wonnarua peoples.
On gameday, we will also have a special Welcome to Country and Indigenous performances throughout the night.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights have won the last four on the trot, plus earned the two points with the bye, to move into the top eight.
In their most recent outing, Newcastle defeated the Gold Coast Titans 28-24 at Magic Round.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defeated the Dragons 44-12 last round.
The two sides met earlier in the year with the Bulldogs prevailing 36-12.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jayden Brailey v Reed Mahoney: Two tough No.9's will do battle on Friday night.
Brailey has had a tackle efficiency of over 95 percent this season.
Mahoney has made the most tackles so far in 2024 with 549.
STAT ATTACK
Knights fullback David Armstrong has scored five tries in his past four games.
Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored 16 tries in 15 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Knights are aiming for their fifth consecutive victory.
