Defending premiers Newcastle open their 2023 NRLW campaign against St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to make an immediate statement.
The Knights knocked the Dragons out of the grand final race in 2022 with a thumping 30-6 win in the semi-finals to advance to the decider.
To highlight the amount of changeover for both sides in the off-season, only 14 players remain with their team - 10 from the Knights and four from the Dragons - as the expanded competition takes it toll on already established clubs.
Dragons coach Jamie Soward has lost a wealth of representative experience to rival clubs and will be heavily reliant on Dally M winner Raecene McGregor to guide the Dragons around the paddock, along with rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong.
For Newcastle, the nucleus of their premiership-winning team remains but they'll need to fill the gap left by Millie Boyle in the middle with the Roosters-bound forward a key departure.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
3rd Position
away Team
Dragons
8th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team news
Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes and will roll out nine players who tasted premiership success last year led by Karyn Murphy Medal winner Tamika Upton, who captains the side with Hannah Southwell (knee) not ready for a return. Coach Ron Griffiths has opted for Caitlin Moran to partner Jesse Southwell in the halves, giving long-term English prospect Georgia Roche another week of training after only arriving to Australia less than a fortnight ago. There are three players set for NRLW debuts - Kiwi Ferns pair Laishon Albert-Jones and Abigail Roache, along with former Young Matildas captain Sheridan Gallagher, who will start on the wing.
Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Jamie Soward will blood five debutants in Round 1 including Rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong, who will partner Raecene McGregor in the halves. Rookie winger Shenai Lendill and young gun Alexis Tauaneai will also start with Ella Koster and Jamilee Bright to come off the bench. Only five players are back from Soward's 2022 campaign with Teagan Berry to start at fullback for the first time in her NRLW career. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Dragons is number 2 Taylor Mapusua
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi Law
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Dragons is number 5 Shenai Lendill
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Caitlin MoranFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla Nathan-Wong
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee Targett
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Rima ButlerProp for Dragons is number 10 Tara McGrath-West
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Caitlan Johnston2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Sara Sautia
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Roxy Murdoch
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Laishon Albert-JonesLock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ella Koster
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Jamilee Bright
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Viena TinaoInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Maddison Weatherall
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Tiana DavisonReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Kaarla Cowan
Match Officials
- Referee: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Newcastle scored a total 60 points in two victories over the Dragons in 2022.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored four tries in three games against the Knights.
- The average winning margin between both these clubs is 27.3.
- The Dragons have only five players returning from their 2022 campaign.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton is the NRLW's all-time leading try-scorer with 12 tries in 16 games.
