The nib Newcastle Knights host the Gold Coast Titans this Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium in the annual Old Boys Day fixture.
Looking to restore pride after being humbled 46-4 by the Wests Tigers last Saturday, interim coach Kristian Woolf has named Connor Watson in the No.9 in place of Danny Levi, and Bradman Best retains his position after a strong debut.
Old Boys Day 2019
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v GOLD COAST TITANS
Date: Saturday, August 31
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 21
Knights: 11
Titans: 10
Pearce: We let everyone down
TEAMS
Newcastle
1. Kalyn Ponga - Redicrete
2. Bradman Best - Triple M
3. Sione Mata'utia - BSC
4. Hymel Hunt - Newcastle Financial Planning Group
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall - Wellman Strata
6. Mason Lino - M&J Chickens
7. Mitchell Pearce - Brydens Lawyers
8. David Klemmer - Jennings Print
9. Connor Watson - O'Bryan Electrical & Solar
10. Daniel Saifiti - Kelly Trotter Motor Group
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon - Port Hunter Conveyors
12. Mitch Barnett - NBN
13. Tim Glasby - Mine Super
Interchange:
14. Jacob Saifiti - Triple M
15. Herman Ese'ese - Kelly Trotter Motor Group
16. Josh King - O'Bryan Electrical & Solar
17. Aidan Guerra - Port Hunter Conveyors
18. Kurt Mann
19. James Gavet
20. Tautau Moga
21. Chris Randall
No.9 to return and forward sidelined
Gold Coast
1. Michael Gordon
2. Jesse Arthars
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Brian Kelly
5. Phillip Sami
6. Tyrone Peachey
7. Ryley Jacks
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Nathan Peats
10. Moeaki Fotuaika
11. Kevin Proctor
12. Sam Stone
13. Jai Arrow
Interchange:
14. Alexander Brimson
15. Jai Whitbread
16. Bryce Cartwright
17. Will Matthews
18. Anthony Don
19. Jack Stockwell
20. Ashley Taylor
21. Tanah Boyd
Glasby: Disappointment and playing for pride
OLD BOYS DAY
In a long-standing Newcastle tradition, the final home game of the season sees the Knights pay tribute to those who came before on Old Boys Day.
Honouring the 311 past and present players who have represented the Knights in first grade, Old Boys Day holds additional importance in acknowledging the behind the scenes figures who have contributed to the Club over the past three decades.
Holding a strong overall record with 20 wins from 31 matches, the Knights will be looking to claim their first Old Boys Day win since 2014.
TITANIC BATTLE
Widely expected to come away with a win on Saturday afternoon, the Knights will be wary of the threat posed by the Titans having suffered a shock loss when the two sides last clashed on Easter Sunday.
Outclassed 38-14 on the Gold Coast back in Round 6, the Knights will need to treat their lowly opponents with respect or run the risk of coming up short in a big match once again - as was the case when the Titans produced a 22-8 upset in Newcastle during Rise for Alex round five years ago.
KNIGHTS STAT ATTACK
The Knights have won seven of 11 matches against the Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium.
TITANS STAT ATTACK
A loss on Saturday afternoon would see the Titans become the 10th team in the NRL era to record 10 consecutive losses in a season.
CANTERBURY CUP
Knights v Jets at Henson Park, 3.00pm Saturday.
JERSEY FLEGG
Knights v Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium, 12.45pm Saturday.
