It all comes down to the final round for the nib Newcastle Knights with a spot in the top eight on the line against the Dolphins this Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The two sides sit on 28 points and in 8th and 9th respectively on the ladder heading into Round 27 to set up a mouth-watering clash.
Both coaches have named their squads ahead of the do-or-die battle with the winner to secure 8th position.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v DOLPHINS
Date: Sunday 8 September
NRL kick-off: 4:05pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
Frizell: “We need to be playing consistent footy throughout the full 80 minutes”
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: Register your interest for 2025
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Partner: Carrie's Place & Jenny's Place
Match Day Sponsor: Reflections
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2023
Played: 3
Knights: 2
Dolphins: 1
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Dolphins
Round 27 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Trai Fuller
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher SharpeWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Jake Averillo
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix CrosslandHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'Sullivan
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max Plath
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Dolphins is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Dolphins is number 16 Mark Nicholls
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson GambleInterchange for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath Bromwich
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray Stone
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Kodi Nikorima
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas CantReplacement for Dolphins is number 20 Oryn Keeley
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
In team news, Tyson Frizell and Tyson Gamble are named to return to the starting 17.
Brodie Jones shifts back to the interchange bench while the remainder of the side is unchanged from the one which defeated the Titans last start.
Crossland: “It’s a big game for us”
For the Dolphins, the return of skipper Jesse Bromwich and veteran playmaker Kodi Nikorima from concussion protocols sees Mark Nicholls revert to the bench and Isaiya Katoa drop to the reserves.
Kenny Bromwich moves into the starting side at lock and Lachlan Hubner goes to 18th man.
Veteran back-rower Felise Kaufusi will take his place in the side after having his Careless High Tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights made it back-to-back wins to keep their season alive heading into the final round including a 36-14 win over the Gold Coast Titans last round.
Newcastle sit in ninth on points differential, behind the Dolphins who sit in eighth, while a win would see the red and blue qualify for the 2024 finals series in eighth spot.
The Dolphins come into the game in-form following a 40-6 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in Round 26.
Best: “Can’t wait to finish the year on a high”
KEY MATCH-UP
Dane Gagai v Herbie Farnworth: What a battle in the centres this weekend between two in-form outside backs.
Gagai has been one of the best this season for the Knights with eight tries and 132 tackle breaks.
The Knights will need to be on defensively against the dangerous Farnworth, who scored two tries and provided two try-assists last time out against Brisbane.
STAT ATTACK
Knights winger Fletcher Sharpe has scored eight tries in his past five games.
Dolphins five-eighth Jake Averillo has scored five tries in his past four games.
The Knights have won their final home game of the season in four of the past five years.
