FRIDAY MAY 31st 2024 MCDONALD JONES STADIUM NEWCASTLE
Clash for the Top Eight
Two teams that have recently found their form will face off in Round 13, with a spot in the top eight potentially on the line when the Knights meet the Bulldogs.
Teams Refreshed and Ready
Newcastle will take the field refreshed from a bye, while the Bulldogs head to McDonald Jones Stadium buoyed by their 44-12 demolition of the Dragons last Thursday.
Injury Woes for the Knights
Adam O’Brien’s men are riding high after securing their fourth consecutive win in Magic Round. However, they face a challenging month ahead, as star centre Bradman Best joins Kalyn Ponga and Tyson Gamble on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury that also ruled him out of Origin contention.
Bulldogs’ Depth to be Tested
Cameron Ciraldo will lose Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton to Origin camp this week. However, the performance of halfback Toby Sexton against the Dragons showcased the Bulldogs’ depth this season.
New Halves Combination for the Bulldogs
With Matt Burton away in Blues camp, Toby Sexton and Drew Hutchison will team up in the halves.
Line-up Changes for the Bulldogs
Captain Stephen Crichton is also on state duty, so Jacob Kiraz moves to centre, and Blake Wilson will play on the wing in his first NRL game since Round 3. Jacob Preston shifts to the second row to cover for the injured Viliame Kikau, and Kurt Mann returns at lock after being rested last week.
Team Line-ups
Knights
1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott, 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Brodie Jones ,18. Thomas Cant 19. Mathew Croker 20. Will Pryce 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Fletcher Sharpe
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann, 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Poasa Faamausili ,19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Harry Hayes 23. Jeral Skelton
Referee. Grant Atkins, Touch Judges. Kasey Badger, Jon Stone, Bunker. Ashley Klein
Key Stats
The Knights are aiming for their fifth consecutive victory.
The Bulldogs are aiming for home and away wins against the Knights for the first time since 2017.
Knights fullback David Armstrong has scored five tries in his past four games.
The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine games in Newcastle.
Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored 16 tries in 15 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Prediction
The Knights had a bye last week after narrowly defeating the Titans the week before. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs found their form against an underperforming Dragons side last week but will be without their two best players, who are away on Origin duty for this clash. They will really miss that huge boot of Burton that gets them out of so much trouble near their own line. Kikau is also out with a broken finger.
When these two teams met in Round 7 the Bulldogs notched up an impressive 36-12 victory, can they do it again this time in Newcastle and without Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton and Kikau? I’m not sure they can.
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