Knights v Sea Eagles: Best back on deck: Trbojevic returns
The Newcastle Knights will look to keep their bid for a top-four finish on track when they host the desperate Sea Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
The match is Newcastle's last game at McDonald Jones Stadium before the finals, with Justin Holbrook's men eager to keep in touch with the top four.
The Knights have won three in a row, with Kalyn Ponga recreating the form that saw him claim the Dally M Medal in 2023 and leading his side on a remarkable rise from wooden spoon to premiership contender.
Standing in their way on Saturday is a Manly side desperate to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
The Sea Eagles' top-eight chances have faded amid a six-game losing streak and now sit 10th, six points outside the eight.
Manly must win their final three games and hope other results go their way to play finals, a quest that starts in Newcastle on Saturday.
Match: Knights v Sea Eagles
Round 25 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: Cody Hopwood has joined the starting side and Jacob Saifiti goes to the bench in a game day swap. Pasami Saulo comes out of the side and Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana has been added to the six-man bench. Bradman Best is back after two games out with a calf injury and lines up for just his 13th match of the season. Two big blows though with Dane Gagai (hamstring) and Francis Manuleleua (concussion) to sit this one out. Winger Dominic Young has scored 10 tries in his last six games against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles are 1-19 with no late changes. Gun fullback Tom Trbojevic has been named for his first game since Round 20 having overcome a hamstring injury. The Sea Eagles have lost all three games in Turbo's absence. Clayton Faulalo shifts to five-eighth in place of Joey Walsh, who suffered a hairline fracture of his jaw during last Friday’s loss to the Dolphins. Back-rower Ben Trbojevic (concussion) is good to go so Corey Waddell moves to the bench. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.
Match: Knights v Sea Eagles
Round 25 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Fletcher HuntCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Clayton Faulalo
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Simione Laiafi
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Brandon Wakeham
-
Prop for Knights is number 15 Cody HopwoodProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Nathan Brown
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nicholas Lenaz
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Caleb Navale
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Josh Feledy
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 16 Corey Waddell
-
Reserve for Knights is number 19 Toby WinterReserve for Sea Eagles is number 19 Fletcher Baker
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won three of their last four games against the Sea Eagles.
- The Sea Eagles have conceded 150 points in their last four games.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored 10 tries in his last six games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has scored six tries in his last seven games against the Knights.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored five tries in his last three games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
