Knights v Dragons: Best back on deck; Leilua returns
If the Dragons are to avoid the first wooden spoon in joint venture history the climb out of the cellar needs to start on Friday night in Newcastle.
The Dragons have won just one game in 2026 and sit four points behind the 16th placed Titans, with both sides having had two byes so far.
Dean Young's men head up the freeway to Newcastle boasting a sensational record at McDonald Jones Stadium, having won 18 of the 24 matches played there since 1999, so that should give them confidence.
The sides met just six weeks ago in Round 10 at WIN Stadium and it was Greg Marzhew running riot with five tries as the Knights powered to a 44-10 win.
With 29 tries between them this season, Marzhew and wing partner Dom Young have been dynamic on the end of a classy Newcastle backline and they will again pose a massive threat to a Dragons outfit conceding 332ppg.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Round 16 -
home Team
Knights
7th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: Star centre Bradman Best returns after five week lay-off with a hamstring injury so Fletcher Hunt slides to the bench. Hooker Phoenix Crossland was taken from field on a medicab at AAMI Park a fortnight ago but has been cleared to take his place. Origin reps Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas have been named to back up and will be monitored on Thursday. Sandon Smith is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a calf injury. Thomas Cant comes into the starting side in place of Jermaine McEwen, who was suspended for one game by the club for an off-field incident.
Dragons: The loss of Jaydn Su'A to a pectoral injury sees Luciano Leilua recalled after a week in NSW Cup while Emre Guler also returns. Winger Christian Tuipulotu is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Dragons is number 2 Setu Tu
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Thomas Cant2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan Couchman
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Luciano Leilua
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Cody HopwoodInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher HuntInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Knights is number 19 Francis ManuleleuaInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Tyrell Sloan
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Sandon SmithReserve for Dragons is number 20 Hame Sele
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Tyson GambleReserve for Dragons is number 21 Lyhkan King-Togia
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 James SchillerReserve for Dragons is number 22 Christian Tuipulotu
Knights Ins
- Bradman Best
- James Schiller
- Sandon Smith
- Tyson Gamble
Dragons Ins
- Christian Tuipulotu
- Emre Guler
- Hame Sele
- Luciano Leilua
- Lyhkan King-Togia
Knights Outs
- Jermaine McEwen
Dragons Ins
- Jaydn Su'A
- Nathan Lawson
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won three of their last four games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have won only one of their last 14 away games.
- Knights second-rower Dylan Lucas has scored six tries in his last five games.
- Dragons winger Setu Tu has scored four tries in his last six games.
- Knights winger Greg Marzhew will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
