The Knights are back at home this weekend and will be hoping their reinforcements can help them get back on track when they host a spirited Wests Tigers outfit on Sunday.
Last week, Newcastle battled gamely against the unbeaten Bulldogs, losing prop Jacob Saifiti from the run-on, with James Schiller and Jack Hetherington succumbing to injury during the match.
That left Adam O'Brien with only one player on the bench but the men from the Hunter fought hard to trail only 2-0 at the break before the effort told late in the match.
Wests Tigers endured a similar experience in their loss to the second-placed Broncos, entering the game without a number of their key performers, taking the challenge to Brisbane in the first half before falling away.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 6 -
home Team
Knights
13th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
8th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: Tyrone Thompson moves into the starting side and Brodie Jones goes to the bench in a game day swap. A number of injury-enforced changes with Jack Cogger (finger), James Schiller (concussion), Jacob Saifiti (calf), Jack Hetherington (shoulder) and Adam Elliott (calf) all sidelined. Phoenix Crossland moves from hooker to halfback with Jayden Brailey the new No.9. Youngster Kyle McCarthy comes in on the wing for his second NRL game. Back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul returns from suspension and Matt Arthur makes his club debut off the bench. Paul Bryan is 18th man.
Wests Tigers: Benji Marshall's team lines up 1-17 as named on Tuesday. Playmaker Jarome Luai is back from suspension while winger Jeral Skelton (hamstring) and back-rower Samuela Fainu (leg) also return. Latu Fainu is out with a thumb injury, Jack Bird slides back to the bench and Heath Mason is 18th man.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 6 -
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 Kyle McCarthyWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix CrosslandHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jarome Luai
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Knights is number 15 Tyrone ThompsonProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Thomas Cant2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson FrizellLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 8 Brodie JonesInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Matthew ArthurInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jermaine McEwenInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jack Bird
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Paul BryanReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Heath Mason
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won their past seven games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have won only one of their past five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored five tries in two games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored three tries in three games against the Knights.
- The Knights are ranked the second-best defensive side in 2025 but are 17th in attack.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
