FRIDAY, MAY 30th, 2025 Jubilee Stadium Sydney 8pm.
Tuipulotu Returns as Injuries Reshape Squad Ahead of Crucial Clash
After weeks on the sideline nursing a hamstring injury, powerhouse winger Christian Tuipulotu makes his much-anticipated return, stepping in for the injured Corey Allan, who now faces his own hamstring setback. In a blow to the squad, Dylan Egan’s season has come to a premature end due to a serious knee injury—an unfortunate twist that opens the door for Luciano Leilua to step into the starting side. Meanwhile, Toby Couchman rejoins the action from the bench, making his comeback from a shoulder issue that’s kept him out in recent weeks. In the halves, Kyle Flanagan will take charge at halfback, partnering with the young and talented Lyhkan King-Togia at five-eighth. And while he won’t run out just yet, Emre Guler edges closer to a return from a Round 9 shoulder injury, named as the 18th man for now.
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie 18. Emre Guler 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Hame Sele
Out: Corey Allan (wing), Dylan Egan (second row)
In: Christian Tuipulotu (wing), Toby Couchman (bench)
Changes: Kyle Flanagan (five-eighth to halfback), Lyhkan King-Togia (halfback to five-eighth), Blake Lawrie (front row to bench), Jack De Belin (bench to front row), Luciano Leilua (bench to second row)
Ponga Powers On as Knights Reshuffle Pack for Crucial Clash
Kalyn Ponga has been named to back up just days after the bruising Origin opener, in a move that signals both his resilience and importance to the Knights’ campaign. With Ponga slotting in at fullback, young gun Fletcher Sharpe shifts back into the five-eighth role, while Tyson Gamble takes control in the No.7 jersey. Up front, the return of Leo Thompson from a bout of illness that kept him out of the Panthers clash brings much-needed muscle to the engine room, pushing Brodie Jones back to the bench. The forward pack also sees a shuffle with Adam Elliott ruled out due to a biceps injury—Mat Croker will step up to start at lock, and fiery enforcer Jack Hetherington earns a recall to inject some aggression off the bench.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano 22. Elijah Leaumoana
Out: Adam Elliott (lock), Paul Bryan (bench), Jack Cogger (halfback to reserve)
In: Kalyn Ponga (fullback), Leo Thompson (front row), Jack Hetherington (bench)
Changes: Fletcher Sharpe (fullback to five-eighth), Tyson Gamble (five-eighth to halfback), Brodie Jones (front row to bench), Mat Croker (bench to lock)
Referee: Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Kasey Badger, Bunker, Adam Gee
Fresh-Faced Dragons Set to Cool the Knights’ Brief Spark
The Dragons come into this week’s clash at Kogarah refreshed and recharged after enjoying a well-timed bye. Meanwhile, the Knights snapped a grim run of form with a convincing win over a second-string Panthers outfit in Bathurst—a result that perhaps flatters them more than it should. Prior to that, Newcastle had been struggling badly, lacking cohesion and direction. Given their inconsistency and the Dragons’ home-ground advantage, it’s hard to see the visitors mounting much of a challenge. Expect the Dragons to edge this one by five or six points.
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