The nib Newcastle Knights are back on the road for a huge clash against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks down in Sydney this Sunday.
Off the back of a crucial win over the Wests Tigers, the red and blue will look to further boost their top eight chances with a win come Sunday.
They take on a fierce Sharks outfit who currently sit in the top four and boast a considerable record on their home patch.
CRONULLA SHARKS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Sunday 18 August
Kick-off: 4:05pm
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Sharks: 27
Knights: 32
Draw: 1
TEAMS
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 24 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Knights is number 22 Kyle McCarthy
-
Winger for Sharks is number 21 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel AtkinsonFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Blayke BraileyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Cameron McInnesHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 16 Royce Hunt2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Jack WilliamsLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jayden BerrellInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy BurnsInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Sharks is number 22 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Niwhai PuruReplacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: Young outside-back Kyle McCarthy has been called up to make his NRL debut in the centres, replacing Dylan Lucas, to become Knight #352.
McCarthy is another product of the Knights pathways system having had strong seasons in the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup competitions.
Dylan Lucas returns to the side in the centres while the rest of the team is unchanged from last round against the Wests Tigers.
For the Sharks, Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named the same 17 that took down the Titans with Blayke Brailey again listed at halfback.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights returned to the winner's circle last round with a 34-18 win over the Wests Tigers.
The result lifted the Knights up to 10th on the ladder, two points outside of the top eight.
As for the opposition, the Sharks sit in fourth spot on the ladder following a 44-0 result over the Titans last outing.
KEY MATCH-UP
Dane Gagai v Jesse Ramien: Two of the NRL's best tackle breakers will go head-to-head on Sunday.
'Gags' has been instrumental all season for the red and blue with five tries and 108 tackle breaks.
On the other side, the Knights will be wary of the dangerous Ramien who scored a try and provided two try-assists in his most recent outing.
STAT ATTACK
Knights second-rower Tyson Frizell has scored three tries in his past four games.
The Knights have not won at PointsBet Stadium since 2014.
The Knights sit fifth in the NRL for tackle breaks (736) while the Sharks are third with 755.
