The nib Newcastle Knights return home for a massive clash against the Gold Coast Titans aiming to keep their 2024 finals hopes alive.
This Sunday, McDonald Jones Stadium will turn orange for the Voice for Mining Family Day with the Knights to don their annual hi-vis kit to acknowledge the long standing relationship between mining, the town and the Club.
Heading into the penultimate round, the Knights sit in 11th spot, two points outside of the coveted top eight, adding to the atmosphere at this Sunday's match.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v GOLD COAST TITANS
Date: Sunday 1 September
NRL kick-off: 2:00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
We've broken down everything you need to know ahead of kick-off to make sure you enjoy your footy.
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Play your part
Merchandise: Get your 2024 Mining jersey
50/50 Charity Partner: Westpac Recue Helicopter
Match Day Sponsor: NSW Mining
O'Brien: 'We're all excited for this weekend'
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2007
Played: 29
Knights: 16
Titans: 13
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Titans
Round 26 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Titans is number 22 Jaylan De Groot
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher SharpeWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix CrosslandHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones2nd Row for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Will PryceInterchange for Titans is number 14 Josiah Pahulu
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Titans is number 17 Klese Haas
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Titans is number 19 Keenan Palasia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthyReplacement for Titans is number 18 Tanah Boyd
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
In team news, Bradman Best has been named to return from a hamstring injury.
Dylan Lucas shifts to the second-row while Brodie Jones comes into the starting team for the injured Kai Pearce-Paul (leg).
Tom Cant joins the interchange bench meanwhile Tyson Frizell is out of the squad (concussion).
For the Titans, just the one change with Phil Sami coming into the centres in place of AJ Brimson. Tanah Boyd is again listed as 18th man.
Ponga: 'There's still things to work on'
FORM GUIDE
The Knights kept their finals hopes alive with a 20-point win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Saturday.
Newcastle sit in 11th spot on the ladder with a 10-12 record and sit two points outside of the top eight.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast were defeated 48-22 by the Sydney Roosters last start and currently sit in 13th spot on the ladder.
KEY MATCH-UP
Fletcher Sharpe v Alofiana Khan Pereira: Two electric wingers will do battle on Sunday afternoon.
Sharpe has scored five tries in his last three games in the red and blue while has made 17 tackle breaks in those matches.
On the other side, Khan-Pereira leads the NRL in tries for the year with 23 for the season.
Gagai: 'It was an important one for us'
STAT ATTACK
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has scored six tries in eight games against the Titans.
Ponga also has a conversion percentage of 90% for the season.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira sits equal first with 26 line-breaks for the season.
