4:05 pm SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8th,2024 MCDONALD JONES STADIUM, NEWCASTLE
Knights and Dolphins Battle for Finals Spot
After 26 rounds of home-and-away games, the Knights face off the Dolphins for the last match of Round 27 to determine who will make finals and who will slip into ninth place, and just miss out.
Knights’ Line-up Changes Ahead of Crucial Match
Defeating the Titans last week 36-14, the Knights brought their wins up to a total of eleven, sitting on equal points with the Dolphins, Raiders, and Dragons, sitting in ninth place.
After missing last week’s game, Tyson Frizell returns to the squad, meaning that Brodie Jones is pushed to the bench. Tyson Gamble is also good to go after missing two weeks due to a hand injury. Will Pryce and Thomas Cant are then forced to make way from the bench.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew , 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson , 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker, 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce
Dolphins Surge Back into Top Eight with Brisbane Win
The Dolphins surged back into the top eight last weekend with a commanding victory over their Brisbane rivals, the Broncos, securing their first-ever “Battle of Brisbane” win and keeping their finals hopes alive.
Dolphins’ Key Changes for Final Round
Bennett has opted for Kodi Nikorima to return to the side after missing last week due to concussion, meaning Isaiya Katoa drops out of the starting 17. Jesse Bromwich also returns, which forces Mark Nicholls back to the bench. Lachlan Hubner is 18th man, whilst Kenny Bromwich moves into the starting side at lock.
Felise Kaufusi has also been named in the side, successfully appealing his charge at the judiciary.
These two sides have met three times since the Dolphins inception into the competition, and the Knights have won their last two games (by four points or less), whilst the Dolphins only won their first matchup in Round 3 last year.
Dolphins
1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jack Bostock 6. Jake Averillo 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath, 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich , 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kodi Nikorima , 20. Oryn Keeley 19. Isaiya Katoa
Referee. Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, Liam Kennedy, Chris Sutton, Bunker Gerard Sutton.
Knights’ Scoring Prowess and Dolphins’ Road Struggles
The Knights have been prolific, scoring 124 points in their last four games.
Dolphins five-eighth Jake Averillo is in great form, with five tries in his past four games.
Knights winger Fletcher Sharpe has been exceptional, scoring eight tries in his last five games.
The Dolphins have struggled at New South Wales venues, winning only two of their nine games played there.
The Knights have a strong record in their final home game of the season, winning four of the last five years.
Prediction
I think this one could go either way, which both teams playing for everything in a do-or-die game. The Dolphins are looking for their first finals campaign, whilst the Knights are looking for redemption after being knocked out by the Warriors in the second week of finals last year. Given the Dolphins’ impressive showing against the Broncos, they certainly have the potential to pull off a win. However, they’ll need to deliver a solid 80-minute performance on the road to secure the victory.
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