The nib Newcastle Knights NRL squad return to play in front of the Hunter faithful chasing a vital two points this Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Kick-starting the run home, they will play the Wests Tigers with the Knights locked in a tightly-contested race for a finals position.
The two squads are in for a huge triple-header of footy at the home of the Knights this Sunday afternoon.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v WESTS TIGERS
Date: Sunday 11 August
Kick-off: 4:05pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports
GAME DAY INFORMATION
We've broken everything down so you enjoy your gameday.
It's a huge triple-header this weekend with the NRL side kicking off before the NRLW side at McDonald Jones Stadium while the NSW Cup side will also play beforehand. Take your seat.
O'Brien on Penrith review and vital two points on the line
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2000
Played: 37
Knights: 20
Tigers: 17
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 23 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher SharpeWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Solomon Alaimalo
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
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Centre for Knights is number 22 Krystian MapapalangiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam Doueihi
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie Staines
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix CrosslandHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Reuben Porter
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Samuela Fainu
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Fonua Pole
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Twal
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas CantReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heath Mason
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In one change in the centres, Dylan Lucas has withdrawn with a hamstring injury with Krystian Mapapalangi taking his spot.
Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his team on Tuesday.
In only one change since the away trip to Penrith, Brodie Jones joins the interchange bench for the injured Jacob Saifiti (calf).
For the Tigers, Adam Doueihi is back in the centres after a two-game break, taking over from Justin Olam, who is heading for knee surgery.
Pearce-Paul: 'The crowd lifts us'
Halfback Aidan Sezer returns from suspension and takes over at halfback from youngster Latu Fainu (concussion protocols).
Fonua Pole is back from a rib injury on the bench and takes the place of Tim Johannssen.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights pushed the reigning premiers, the Panthers, all the way to final whistle last round going down 22-14 in the end.
The red and blue sit in 12th on the ladder with five games remaining, with two points vital to keeping their finals hopes alive.
They take on the Wests Tigers who sit in 17th spot on the ladder and were defeated 48-30 by the North Queensland Cowboys last outing.
Croker: 'We always want to make it tough to come here and win'
KEY MATCH-UP
Tyson Gamble v Lachlan Galvin: A key battle in the halves will help decide the result of Sunday's game.
Gamble has returned to the line-up following an extended lay-off with injury and had one try-assist and 578 kick metres against the Panthers.
The Knights will be wary of Galvin who has had a strong debut season at the Tigers with 10 try-assists and average of 123 run metres at five-eighth.
Cant: 'I always prepare that I'm going to play'
STAT ATTACK
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has scored six tries in his past seven games against the Tigers.
The Knights won the last outing between the two Clubs with a 20-14 win over the Tigers back in Round 10.
Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer requires three points for 500 NRL points.
