FRIDAY, APRIL 5th, 2024 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
An intriguing clash awaits in the second Friday night game as the Knights play host to the Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Dragons have won 18 of their last 23 games at McDonald Jones Stadium
The Dragons have experienced a wildly inconsistent start to the season – they’ve got a 2-2 record, beating the Titans and Manly, while also suffering 22+ point hammerings to the Cowboys and Dolphins.
Knights have lost three of their four games this season
The Knights are finding the going tough to start the season, putting up a 1-3 record and really struggling to score points.
Dragons coming off 20-12 win over Manly
Tyson Gamble has received the chop from Adam O’Brien this week, with Jackson Hastings returning after being dropped himself in Round 2 – he’ll partner Jack Cogger in the halves.
Knights have scored 12 points or less in three of their four games this season
Essentially, the Knights find themselves in a familiar narrative: they rely heavily on Kalyn Ponga being in peak form to pose a significant threat, reminiscent of their performance towards the latter part of the previous season.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Brodie Jones 21. Tyson Gamble 22. Thomas Cant
Dragons have seen 38 points or less in three of their four games this season
The Dragons have experienced a wildly inconsistent start to the season – they’ve got a 2-2 record, beating the Titans and Manly, while also suffering 22+ point hammerings to the Cowboys and Dolphins.
Kalyn Ponga has scored a try in his last three games vs Dragons
Makes it tough to predict what Dragons side is going to turn up here, but the joint-venture club do have an outstanding record at this venue, winning 18 of the last 23.
Mikaele Ravalawa has scored a try in seven of his last 11 away games
St George Illawarra showcased brilliant defensive resolve last week in the 20-12 victory over Manly, not something that you typically associate with the club over the last few years.
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Michael Molo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18. Hame Sele 19. Christian Tuipulotu 20. Viliami Fifita 21. Ryan Couchman 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Knights have seen 41 points or less in all four games this season
Dragons have won 18 of their last 23 games at McDonald Jones Stadium
Knights have lost three of their four games this season
Dragons coming off 20-12 win over Manly
Knights have scored 12 points or less in three of their four games this season
Knights have seen 41 points or less in all four games this season
Dragons have seen 38 points or less in three of their four games this season
Kalyn Ponga has scored a try in his last three games vs Dragons
Mikaele Ravalawa has scored a try in seven of his last 11 away games
Referee. Belinda Sharpe, Touch Judges, Peter Gough, Drew Oultram, Bunker. Adam Gee
Prediction
Very tough game to predict. The Knights have offered nothing to start the season and as mentioned, it all rests on Ponga.
Last Sunday’s match at home against the Warriors saw the Knights engage in a fiercely contested battle, ultimately succumbing to a narrow 20-12 defeat in New Zealand.
Not much could split the teams on the stat sheet and it was as simple as the Warriors making the most of their chances with both teams playing very solid goal line defence.
The good news for the Knights in their loss was the individual performance of Kalyn Ponga, who had his best game of the year with 2 line breaks, 3 line break assists and a try assists, being involved in everything positive that the Knights attack threw at the Warriors.
Dane Gagai returns in the centres with Dylan Lucas dropping to the reserves.
The Knights’ combinations in the halves remain uncertain, with Jackson Hastings set to partner with Jack Cogger, while Tyson Gamble will be sidelined for this week’s fixture.
Leo Thompson makes his comeback from suspension, prompting Daniel Saifiti’s shift to the bench, while Brodie Jones finds himself among the reserves.
The Dragons, on the other hand, have displayed inconsistent form, making it difficult to predict what they will deliver in this match.
Few would have anticipated the Dragons boasting a 2-2 record with notable victories after four rounds of the season. Nevertheless, credit is due to Shane Flanagan and the team for their commendable performance against Manly last week.
It was another fast start form the Dragons that upset Manly, going into the break 14-6 and pushing their lead to 20-6 mid-way through the second half.
St. George defended for long periods in their own half and stopped the progress of Manly, which has to be a positive sign for the club and is a vast improvement on last season.
Michael Molo is the only change this week, and replaces Hame Sele.
Both sides need the win and both are capable of doing that. But I will go with the home side if Ponga stays fit. Also Bradman Best, anytime try scorer.
FYI. I have found St George with a 12.5 point start @ $1.52. Think about it!! Also I hear Tyson Frizell may be out with a hamstring injury.
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