4:05 pm SUNDAY AUGUST 11th 2024 MCDONALD JONES STADIUM NEWCASTLE
Wests Tigers Head to Newcastle to Face Desperate Knights
The Wests Tigers head to Newcastle on Sunday to face a Knights team desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.
Knights Show Fight Against Red-Hot Panthers
Facing a red-hot Panthers side on their home turf is a tough challenge for any visiting team, but the Knights showed plenty of fight despite coming up short. If not for some moments of individual brilliance from Panthers players, the Knights might have pulled off an upset.
Controversial Ref Decisions Affect Eels vs. Panthers Game
If the officials had of done their job last night in the Eels v Panthers job the Eels would have come away with the win. Another stuff up from the Ref, Peter Gough, and the Bunker, Liam Kennedy. You may well ask, is there a reward offered by the bigger clubs to the officials for making bad decisions? Just a question?
Team Changes and Injuries Impact Knights and Tigers
While they sit four points out of the eight, the loss against the reigning premiers could have been just enough for them not to make it.
There is only one change to the team that lost to the Panthers, Brodie Jones comes onto the bench for Thomas Cant, who is the 18th Man. Jacob Saifiti, who was injured during the warm-up last week, remains sidelined along with center Bradman Best, who is out with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the Tigers gave their fans something to cheer about by keeping pace with the Cowboys. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost centre Justin Olam after he was sent off for a high tackle.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew , 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson , 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Mathew Croker , 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Sebastian Su’a 20. Jackson Hastings, 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi
Young Tigers Show Promise Despite Poaching Risks
Lachlan Galvin, Jahream Bula, and Samuela Fainu showcased why they are considered the future of the club with some impressive performances, provided other teams don’t poach them.
Tigers Adjust Line-Up with Injuries and Suspensions
Adam Doueihi has been named in the centers. The Tigers opted not to contest Olam’s grading charge for the head high since the center is sidelined with knee injuries and will undergo surgery on both knees. Aiden Sezer returns at halfback, and Latu Fainu is out due to concussion protocols. Tim Johannssen makes way for Fonua Pole, who is returning from a rib injury.
Pressure on Knights Halves This Week
The pressure will be on Knights halves Phoenix Crossland and Tyson Gamble this week. They played well against the Panthers, but a loss here to the Tigers and Adam O’Brien, who has shown he’s not afraid to change his halves from one week to the next, will drop someone. They will need to be at their best, especially with Galvin performing at the top of his game.
Intriguing Fullback Battle: Ponga vs. Bula
The battle of the fullbacks is set to be intriguing. Both Kalyn Ponga and Jahream Bula are excitement machines capable of turning a game on its head. Bula, in particular, is expected to be an instrumental figure for the Tigers in the future.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomon Alaimalo 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi, 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau , 10. David Klemmer 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal 18. Heath Mason 19. Tim Johannssen 20. Josh Feledy 21. Declan Casey 22. Tony Sukkar
Referee, Belinda Sharpe, Touch Judges, Jon Stone, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Gerard Sutton.
Historical Scoring Feats and Recent Trends
Two players, one from each team, have scored 20 points in a game. Kalyn Ponga achieved this with two tries and six goals against the Tigers in 2020, while Adam Doueihi matched the feat with two tries and six goals for the Tigers in 2021.
The Knights have won their last five encounters against the Tigers.
The Wests Tigers have conceded 40 points or more in five of their past six games.
The Knights have won only two of their last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer needs three points to reach 500 NRL points.
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has scored six tries in his last seven games against the Tigers.
Prediction.
This may not be a pretty game to watch but I think the Knight should come out on top.
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