Newcastle and St George Illawarra meet again on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium to battle it out for much higher stakes - an NRLW grand final appearance - just seven days after their last clash.
The Knights will go into the semi-final match with a mental edge after thumping the Dragons 30-8 on the Central Coast last week but the Red V won't be too worried about the result with sudden death football a whole new ball game.
The Dragons are more experienced than the Knights on that front, who go into their first finals, while Jamie Soward's side will fancy their chances with skipper Kezie Apps back leading the way in the middle.
Newcastle will have a boost of their own with Tamika Upton due back after resting for the last two weeks from a calf issue.
The Knights have been the most improved side in the NRLW and a grand final appearance will cap off a remarkable turnaround while the Dragons still have their eyes on grand final revenge after falling short in the 2021 season.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Semi Final -
home Team
Knights
2nd Position
away Team
Dragons
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Knights: Knights remain 1-17 with no late changes on game day. Tamika Upton will return from a calf injury and will play. Her inclusion sees Shanice Parker shift to centre in the only change to last week's team. Caitlin Moran moved into the 17 on Saturday and will come from the bench, with Makenzie Weale going back to 18th player.
Dragons: Several game day changes for Jamie Soward's side sees Taliah Fuimaono move to the centres from five-eighth, with Zali Hopkins the new No. 6 and Shontelle Stowers on the bench. Monalisa Soliola also moved into the second-row on Sunday, shifting Tara Mcgrath-west to the interchange. Meanwhile, Captain Kezie Apps and Kiwi Ferns centre Page McGregor are both back in starting roles after a break last week while Talei Holmes (knee) also returns.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Semi Final -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma Tonegato
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Kiana TakairangiWinger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan Berry
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregor
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Emmanita PakiWinger for Dragons is number 5 Andie Robinson
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra DibbFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 19 Zali Hopkins
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Caitlan JohnstonProp for Dragons is number 8 Elsie Albert
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley Davis
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Millie BoyleProp for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Dragons is number 16 Monalisa Soliola
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Emma ManzelmannInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy Dodd
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Talei Holmes
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Tara McGrath-West
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Interchange for Knights is number 18 Caitlin MoranInterchange for Dragons is number 21 Shontelle Stowers
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 17 Makenzie WealeReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Renee Targett
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Caitlan Johnston v Elsie Albert: Newcastle tore the Dragons apart through the middle last week with Johnston, Millie Boyle and Tayla Predbon all running for over 130 metres in the win. Johnston has set the tone and that needs to be matched by Albert, who tried hard last week but needed more help around her. Her go-forward, along with Holli Wheeler and Kezie Apps' push through the middle will be crucial if the Dragons are to get over the line. Defensively the Dragons will need to improve tries came either through charge-over effort or lazy marker defence around their goal line.
Stat attack
Newcastle have produced 2,598 post-contact metres this season in five games compared to the Dragons' 1,963, again highlighting the differences and dominance in the middle from the side in red and blue. The Dragons have dropped off in this department compared to the 2021 season on average (470 to 392) while the Knights have increased from 343 to 519 metres per game.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Semi Final -
home Team
Knights
2nd Position
away Team
Dragons
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
