The Knights travel to Sydney on Thursday night for an inaugural clash against Wests Tigers with victory locking in the NRLW minor premiership.
Newcastle had a big weekend with both the men and women's teams securing big scalps with the Knights now looking forward to the finals ahead of a match-up with Wests Tigers, who were officially knocked out of top-four contention last week.
Brett Kimmorley's side looked like pulling off an upset in their defeat to the Broncos and will want to finish their first season in the competition on a high before planning for 2024.
The Knights got the job done against the Roosters to send a big statement and won't want to drop a match leading into hosting a home final in sudden-death rugby league in a fortnight.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
8th Position
away Team
Knights
1st Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Team news
Wests Tigers: Another late change for the home side with Botille Vette-Welsh out of the side after suffering a calf strain. Kezie Apps was ruled out earlier in the week due to a foot injury with Taylor Osborne elevated from the reserves to the second row. Emily Curtain returns from a leg injury to partner Brooke Talataina in the halves in the side's final game of the year. Rookie Salma Nour retains her place on the bench after scoring a try on debut last week.
Knights: There are no other late changes after Caitlin Moran replaced Georgia Roache at five-eighth on Wednesday. Last week's debutant, Jacinta Carter, retains her spot on the interchange with Felila Kia listed as 18th player.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 20 Pauline Piliae-RasabaleFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jakiya WhitfeldWinger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Rikeya HorneCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Leianne TufugaCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Rebecca PollardWinger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin Strange
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Emily CurtainFive-Eighth for Knights is number 23 Caitlin Moran
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brooke TalatainaHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Folau VakiProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Sophie CurtainHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian PioProp for Knights is number 10 Caitlan Johnston
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Hope Tevaga2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 21 Taylor Osborne2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada GeorgeLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Imogen GobranInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Jae PatuInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacinta Carter
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jessica KennedyInterchange for Knights is number 16 Kayla Romaniuk
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Salma NourInterchange for Knights is number 17 Tiana Davison
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Bianca BennettsReplacement for Knights is number 18 Felila Kia
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have the second-best completion rate in the competition with Newcastle ranked equal 7th, completing at 72 percent.
- Wests Tigers have produced 39 more offloads than the Knights in 2023.
- Sheridan Gallagher has made 11 linebreaks in eight appearances for the Knights
