Knights v Panthers: Schiller steps up; McLean back from ban
The Panthers have had eight days to recover after an energy sapping night in Darwin when an 85-minute golden point contest tested their endurance to the limit.
In the end it was the ice cool Nathan Cleary having the final say as the Panthers outlasted the Dolphins 23-22 to take their record to 6-1 while the Knights are now 4-3 after a loss to the Roosters.
Of most concern for the Knights will be the second-half fadeout that saw them concede five tries in 25 minutes to turn a 24-12 lead into a 38-24 loss.
That made it 80 points conceded in the past fortnight for Justin Holbrook's men who will need a significant lift in defensive intensity if they are to contain the potent Panthers.
The last time the sides met in Round 23 last year the Panthers racked up 48 points as the Knights spiralled towards the wooden spoon but the men from the Hunter are a very different proposition in 2026.
Match: Knights v Panthers
Round 8 -
home Team
Knights
8th Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: James Schiller comes in on the wing for Greg Marzhew (concussion) in the only change to Justin Holbrook's starting side. Back-rower Francis Manuleleua has again been named to start and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana has been added to the bench with Peter Hola dropping to the reserves. Former Tiger and Panther Asu Kepaoa is part of the six-man bench and could make his club debut.
Panthers: Casey McLean is back from a one-game suspension so Izack Tago goes back to the bench. Freddy Lussick steps in at hooker for Mitch Kenny, who is facing an extended stint on the sidelines with a leg fracture and syndesmosis injury. Jack Cogger has been named in the No.14 jersey and Jack Cole is part of the extended bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher SharpeFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Panthers is number 3 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Fletcher HuntCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 James SchillerWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Sandon SmithFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Panthers is number 9 Freddy Lussick
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Francis Manuleleua2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Luke Garner
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami SauloInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Cody HopwoodInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Kalani Going
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Asu KepaoaInterchange for Panthers is number 18 Izack Tago
-
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Kyle McCarthyInterchange for Panthers is number 19 Jack Cole
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Peter HolaReserve for Panthers is number 20 Luron Patea
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Lachlan CrouchReserve for Panthers is number 21 Billy Scott
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 Wilson De CourceyReserve for Panthers is number 22 Sione Fonua
Knights Ins
- Asu Kepaoa
- James Schiller
- Lachlan Crouch
- Wilson De Courcey
Panthers Ins
- Billy Scott
- Casey McLean
- Jack Cole
- Luron Patea
Knights Outs
- Greg Marzhew
Panthers Ins
- Mitch Kenny
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only one of their last eight games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games against the Knights.
- Knights fullback Fletcher Sharpe has scored 14 tries in 12 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored seven tries in eight games against the Knights.
- Knights winger Dominic Young will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
