FRIDAY, AUGUST, 8th, 2025.
Knights v Panthers
McDonald Jones Stadium,Newcastle,6pm.
Knights Reignite the Fire: Home Fortress Set to Host Panthers Ambush
Fresh from a well-earned bye and buoyed by the energy of their home crowd, the Newcastle Knights are primed to reignite their charge against a wounded giant. Having stunned the Panthers in Bathurst earlier this year, the Knights now aim to double down—and in doing so, strike a serious blow to Penrith’s top-four hopes.
Adding to the sense of momentum, star centre Bradman Best has been named to return from the knee injury that sidelined him since Round 20, bringing strike power and confidence to Newcastle’s left edge.
In the halves, a new chapter begins as Jake Arthur is set to make his club debut at halfback, replacing Tyson Gamble, who shifts to 18th man duties. Meanwhile, coach Adam O’Brien has refreshed the bench, bringing in young guns Thomas Cant and Elijah Salesa Leaumoana in place of Jackson Hastings and Jack Hetherington, hinting at a bold new energy for the Knights’ run home.
Knights,
1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey , 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland , 14. Thomas Cant 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Elijah Leaumoana , 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Jack Hetherington , 22. Matthew Arthur
Out: Kyle McCarthy (centre to reserve), Jack Hetherington (bench to reserve), Tyson Gamble (five-eighth to reserve), Jackson Hastings (bench to reserve)
In: Bradman Best (centre), Jakob Arthur (five-eighth), Thomas Cant (bench), Elijah Salesa Leaumoana (bench)
Panthers Under Pressure: Newcastle Rematch Rekindles Bathurst Ghosts and Fresh Controversy
The Penrith Panthers have been in imperious form, rattling off eight straight wins to remind the NRL why they remain the reigning kings. But as the finals loom, they return to face the one team that last made them bleed—Newcastle.
That bruising Round 12 defeat in Bathurst still lingers. The premiers, stripped of their Origin stars, looked a shadow of themselves that afternoon, humbled by a spirited Knights outfit. It was a rare stumble, but one that could yet prove pivotal in their 2025 journey.
Last weekend, Penrith narrowly avoided disaster again—sneaking past the Titans in golden point after Nathan Cleary nailed a two-point field goal. But the victory didn’t come without controversy.
Fresh vision has surfaced of Panthers trainer Shane Elford breaching on-field protocol. As a blue shirt trainer, he was supposed to exit after the fourth tackle. Instead, he lingered until the crucial fifth play—just as Cleary lined up the match-saving field goal. This came mere moments after another trainer was caught bending the rules in the aftermath of Corey Bocking’s collision with Titans halfback Jayden Campbell.
Now, Penrith face more than just the Knights. They face questions. Scrutiny. And pressure.
Adding to the challenge, they’ll be without captain Isaah Yeo, ruled out with a shoulder injury. Isaiah Papali’i moves into the lock role, Liam Martin starts in the second row, and Scott Sorensen returns from a leg injury to bolster the bench. But young Luron Patea is sidelined with a collarbone issue.
It’s a high-stakes clash in enemy territory—and for the Panthers, redemption will be anything but straightforward.
Panthers,
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean , 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i, 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen , 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Jack Cole 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton
Out: Isaah Yeo (lock), Luron Patea (bench)
In: Matt Eisenhuth (bench), Scott Sorensen (bench)
Changes: Isaiah Papali’i (second row to lock), Liam Martin (bench to second row)
Key Stats
The Knights have not defeated the Panthers twice in a season since 2013.
The Panthers have won seven of their past eight games against the Knights.
Knights winger Dominic Young has scored 26 tries in his last 26 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Panthers centre Casey McLean has scored four tries in his last three games.
Knights hooker Jayden Brailey will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Knights Brace for Panthers Heat as Officiating Controversy Lingers
The Knights had the luxury of putting their feet up last week while the Panthers took care of business—well, at least for 40 minutes—against the Titans. It was a dominant first half, but what followed was anything but premiership-quality. Ivan Cleary must still be shaking his head at how his side switched off after the break, narrowly escaping with the win in golden point.
Now, they turn their attention to a Newcastle side desperate to avoid the wooden spoon and ready to throw everything at the reigning champs. The Knights will bring effort and energy, no question—but it remains to be seen whether that will be enough against a Penrith outfit with a point to prove and top-four security still on the line.
Adding fuel to the fire, controversy continues to swirl around the Panthers’ last outing—not just for their patchy second-half performance, but for the officiating drama that marred the match. In particular, sideline official Kasey Badger has come under heavy criticism for her decision not to award a penalty try to the Titans in a crucial moment.
According to critics, the Titans player was taken high before stepping into touch, a sequence that many argue deserved a much closer call—if not outright intervention. Despite multiple replays, the decision stood, and so too did the frustration.
As the Panthers prepare to face the Knights, they do so not only with the pressure of expectations—but under the shadow of scrutiny, both on the field and off it.
Match Officials
Referees, Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Michael Wise, Kasey Badger, Bunker, Ashley Klein.
Raiders v Manly
GIO Stadium, Canberra,8pm.
Raiders Regroup in Canberra Fortress as Manly Fight for Finals Survival
The Canberra Raiders return home stung by an unexpected ambush in Wollongong—but far from rattled. With a bye still to come and a strong grip on the ladder, the Green Machine remains firmly on track for its first minor premiership since 1990. But the Dragons’ upset win last week served as a sobering reality check: in this competition, complacency is punished quickly.
Now, back at GIO Stadium—where they’ve won nine of ten this season—the Raiders are out to reassert their dominance and send a message to the rest of the league. Despite the setback, coach Ricky Stuart has backed his squad, naming an unchanged 17 for this must-win clash.
For the Sea Eagles, however, the equation is far simpler—and far more desperate. It’s do-or-die from here. Any hopes of September football rest on stringing together wins, starting with this daunting trip to the capital. They’ll need to find something special to overcome the odds and halt the momentum of a Canberra side looking to get back on track.
The stage is set: finals hopes on the line for one, a slice of history for the other.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling , 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh , 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Noah Martin , 19. Danny Levi 20. Manaia Waitere 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
Unchanged.
Speed, Stakes, and Stadium History: Sea Eagles Soar into Canberra for Crucial Showdown
Fresh off a bruising defeat to the Roosters, the Sea Eagles land in the nation’s capital with a point to prove—and a strong record to draw upon. With a 12-8 history at GIO Stadium and a commanding 40-12 win over the Raiders back in Round 3, Manly won’t be short on belief as they eye a vital two points in their finals pursuit.
The opening stages promise to be fierce and physical, but once the dust settles, the speedsters will take over. Expect fireworks as Xavier Savage, Kaeo Weekes, Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate (if fit) light up a packed Friday night crowd in Canberra.
However, injury has forced a key reshuffle. Lehi Hopoate is sidelined with a shoulder issue, paving the way for Tom Trbojevic to return to his preferred position at fullback after five games in the centres. Tommy Talau steps into the centre role, while Aaron Schoupp joins the bench. In the back row, Michael Chee Kam is named for his first appearance of the season, replacing Ben Trbojevic, who is out under concussion protocols.
With their season on the line and a hostile crowd awaiting, the Sea Eagles will need every bit of that Round 3 magic if they’re to fly out of Canberra with their finals hopes still alive.
Manly,
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau, 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge , 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Michael Chee Kam , 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Aaron Schoupp 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Caleb Navale 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Simione Laiafi, 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Out: Lehi Hopoate (fullback), Ben Trbojevic (second row)
In: Michael Chee-Kam (second row), Aaron Schoupp (bench)
Changes: Tom Trbojevic (centre to fullback), Tommy Talau (bench to centre)
Key Stats
The Raiders have won nine from 10 at home in 2025.
The Sea Eagles have won nine of their last 12 games at GIO Stadium.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored six tries in his last six games at GIO Stadium.
Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick has scored seven tries in his last four games against the Raiders.
Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored four tries in his last five games against Manly.
The Raiders were upset by the Dragons last week at a very wet and windy WIN Stadium, while the Sea Eagles were very disappointing against the Roosters. The Raiders at home should bounce back from that performance and well and truly put the Sea Eagles’ season to the sword.
Match Officials
Referees, Peter Gough, Touch Judges, Jarrod Cole, Nick Pelgrave, Bunker, Chris Butler.
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