Knights v Wests Tigers: King Kalyn's back; Doueihi good to go
The Knights were pushed all the way last week in their close win against a desperate Dragons and face another side keen to claim back that winning feeling when they host Wests Tigers.
Without their Origin representatives skipper Kalyn Ponga and in-form backrower Dylan Lucas, Newcastle had some star power missing, but got out to a hot start with Fletcher Sharpe scoring two tries in the opening eight minutes.
However, when the inevitable Dragons fightback came, they were able to handle the heat, despite the visitors actually scoring more tries overall.
Wests Tigers also put in a red-hot go against the on-fire Dolphins, opening the scoring and matching it try-for-try early in a high-scoring game.
However, injuries mid-game struck again and halted their fightback, with the attacking class of the Dolphins seeing them seal the match.
However, with another match against a top-level contender this week, the visitors have another chance to show what they have got.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
12th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: Origin duo Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas are on track to return for the final game of Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, with Fletcher Sharpe shifting to five-eighth and Sandon Smith set to come off the bench. Edge forward Jermaine McEwen is also back on deck following a one-game suspension and comes straight back into the starting side. Coach Justin Holbrook said utility Fletcher Hunt would play NSW Cup in Tamworth on Friday night to get some game time and then return to Newcastle to take his place on the six-man bench on Sunday. James Schiller and Harrison Graham drop out in the 24-hour update.
Wests Tigers: Halfback Adam Doueihi is on track to take his place in the starting side after recovering from a shoulder injury but lock Alex Twal remains sidelined with a knee injury. Alex Seyfarth returns to the starting side at lock. Patrick Herbert has also been ruled out after dislocating his shoulder with Starford To'a shifting to centre and Jeral Skelton named on the wing. Latu Fainu has been recalled on the bench after playing NSW Cup last week. Faaletino Tavana has been added to the six-man bench 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan May
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Wests Tigers is number 15 Bunty Afoa
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Tony Sukkar
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Latu Fainu
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Cody HopwoodInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heamasi Makasini
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Mavrik Geyer
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 18 Lachlan CrouchReserve for Wests Tigers is number 14 Josese Lanyon
-
Reserve for Knights is number 19 Fletcher HuntReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Faaletino Tavana
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won four of their last five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Wests Tigers have won their last two games against the Knights.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored 16 tries in 16 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored six tries in five games against the Knights.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Tigers.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
