They’re mouth-watering match-ups that make the game so juicy.
This week, we travel to Canberra where another tall task awaits us.
Danny Levi v Josh Hodgson
It’s the battle of the runner verse the general.
Danny Levi is a runner. That’s what he does best.
In 2019 he’s made 108 run metres from 11 runs.
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He’s also not shy of the tough stuff, with 59 tackles for a tackle competition rate of 84%,
Hodgson has had 11 runs for 58 metres with one try assist.
While he is a capable runner, his greatest asset is his ability to act as the conductor.
With 314 kick metres, Hodgson plays like a second half.
He’s also forced three drop-outs, one more than Knights No.7 Mitchell Pearce has managed this year.
'It's unusual to score a hat-trick, but a front rower is unheard of'
Hodgson has missed 10 tackles this season, the second most behind Sione Mata’utia with 12.
Meanwhile Levi sits third with nine alongside John Bateman.
David Klemmer v Josh Papalii
In the middle, the big men coldie.
It’s the New South Welshman and the Queenslander ready to lead the charge and in Klemmer’s case, it’s continuing the momentum for his new side.
The big unit has been enormous in the opening two rounds.
'I just wish it was enough to get us over the line'
He’s made 417 metres in 128 minutes of action and 161 post-contact metres.
Klemmer leads the competition in this stat with Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson the next closest with 127 post-contact metres.
Defensively, Klemmer is impressive. He’s made 67 tackles with no misses in 2019.
Papalii has played 96 minutes of football and made 253 metres with 87 post-contact.
Roadtrip anyone?
The Raider has 46 tackles with two misses this season.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall v Nick Cotric
In the backline, it’s the fight for yardage which could mean the difference.
Both these men are great at it.
Kenny-Dowall has made 215 metres from 28 carries this year, while Cotric has 148 metres from 20 runs.
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Cotric and Kenny-Dowall both have 8 tackle breaks for 2019.
This only highlights their ability to bust the game open but where SKD has the edge is on sparking the second-phase.
Cotric has one offload, where Kenny-Dowall has made three.
