Knights v Titans: Vette-Welsh returns; Masaga good to go
A preliminary final spot is on the line when the Newcastle Knights host the Gold Coast Titans in the first NRLW semi-final.
The Knights won back-to-back matches to surge into third on the ladder and book a home game in the opening week of the finals.
Halfback Jesse Southwell has orchestrated the team's attack all season and led the side past a gritty Dragons squad last weekend.
The Titans also needed a clutch performance from their halfback last week to book a finals berth, with Lauren Brown kicking a golden-point field goal to lift her side past the Raiders and into the top six.
The playmaker knows plenty about delivering in the big moments at McDonald Jones Stadium after she kicked the game-winning field goal in Game Two of the 2024 State of Origin series.
Southwell was the difference when the Knights defeated the Titans in Round 10, the halfback scoring the match-winning try in the 69th minute to break a 22-22 deadlock.
Match: Knights v Titans
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Knights
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
6th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights:Prop Tayla Predebon will line up in Saturday's semi-final despite picking up a calf injury in last week's win over the Dragons, while Bo Vette-Welsh is set to complete her comeback from a concussion. Young gun Keighley Simpson is set for her second NRLW game after entering the fray as 18th player last week. The Knights will line up 1-17, with Joeli Morris the 18th player.
Titans: A big boost on gameday for the Titans with Sarina Masaga cleared to return from a head knock. The youngster comes into the centres, with Georgia Grey shifting to the wing in her return from a concussion. Phoenix-Raine Hippi moves back to the interchange, with Takoda Thompson reverting to 18th player. One other tweak for Karyn Murphy, with Brittany Breayley-Nati to start at hooker and Lily-Rose Kolc shifting to the bench in the same gameday change that worked so well last week. Jasmine Solia is set to start at second row after being cleared of a shoulder injury.
Match: Knights v Titans
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Botille Vette-WelshFullback for Titans is number 1 Lailani Montgomery
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Titans is number 3 Georgia Grey
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Titans is number 4 Ivana Lolesio
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Tenika WillisonCentre for Titans is number 22 Sarina Masaga
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Keighley SimpsonWinger for Titans is number 5 Destiny Mino-Sinapati
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Titans is number 8 Sienna Lofipo
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Titans is number 14 Brittany Breayley-Nati
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Tiana DavisonProp for Titans is number 10 Jessika Elliston
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Fane Finau2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Jasmine Solia
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Shaylee Bent
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Titans is number 13 Georgia Hale
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jules KirkpatrickInterchange for Titans is number 2 Phoenix-Raine Hippi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Viena TinaoInterchange for Titans is number 9 Lily-Rose Kolc
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Sienna YeoInterchange for Titans is number 15 Laikha Clarke
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace GiampinoInterchange for Titans is number 16 Natasha Penitani
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Joeli MorrisReplacement for Titans is number 17 Takoda Thompson
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won their last five games against the Titans.
- Titans captain Georgia Hale will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
- Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has scored five tries in her last three games against the Titans.
- Titans centre Georgia Grey has scored four tries in her last three games.
- The Knights have won five of their six games at McDonald Jones Stadium this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
