The nib Newcastle Knights will take part in an exciting NRLW triple-header this Sunday on the Central Coast when they tackle the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Sitting in second position, the side will aim to finish the regular season on a strong note heading into a finals series.
The Knights were narrowly defeated by the Sydney Roosters last start while the Dragons also have three wins to their name to set up an intriguing battle.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 5 NRLW clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2022
Kick-off: 3:45pm
Venue: Central Coast Stadium
KEY INFORMATION
Gates open/timings: 11:45am
NRLW Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels 12:05pm
NRLW Gold Coast Titans v Sydney Roosters 1:55pm
Where to watch: Live on Channel Nine and Fox League, or stream on Kayo Sports.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Dragons: 1
Knights: 0
TEAMS
Match: Dragons v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma TonegatoFullback for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan BerryWinger for Knights is number 4 Emmanita Paki
-
Centre for Dragons is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoCentre for Knights is number 1 Bobbi Law
-
Centre for Dragons is number 21 Shontelle StowersCentre for Knights is number 5 Kiana Takairangi
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Andie RobinsonWinger for Knights is number 20 Jessica Gentle
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 19 Zali HopkinsFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Knights is number 8 Caitlan Johnston-Green
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Quincy DoddHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Tara McGrath-WestProp for Knights is number 10 Millie Elliott
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Romy Teitzel
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Chantel Tugaga2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Holli WheelerLock for Knights is number 16 Kayla Romaniuk
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 3 Keele BrowneInterchange for Knights is number 13 Simone Karpani
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 9 Keeley DavisInterchange for Knights is number 14 Emma Manzelmann
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Renee TargettInterchange for Knights is number 15 Tayla Predebon
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Aliti NamoceInterchange for Knights is number 17 Makenzie Weale
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 22 Salma NourReplacement for Knights is number 19 Kyra Simon
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: Two new players will join the NRLW honour roll with Kayla Romaniuk and Jessica Gentle named in the run-on side to make their NRLW debuts against the Dragons.
Continually showcasing dedication and commitment, the pair were upgraded from development deals to the Top 24, with Hannah Southwell (knee) and Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly (knee) suffering season ending injuries.
Romaniuk, a Kurri-Kurri Bulldogs junior and middle forward, has been named at lock.
Speedster Jessica Gentle will line-up on the wing while the 26-year-old also recently took home the Country Women's player of the year award playing for the Central Coast Roosters at the NSWRL Brad Fittler Medal awards night.
In other team news, Tamika Upton comes out of the team with Shanice Parker moving to fullback while Bobbi Law returns from injury to line-up in the centres.
The rest of the team is unchanged with Kyra Simon and Tamsin Barber remaining on the extended bench.
For the Dragons, Kezie Apps drops out and Talei Holmes withdraws with a knee injury. Monalisa Soliola is the other player who is out, meaning Renee Targett, Zali Hopkins and Aliti Namoce all join the interchange. Chantel Tugaga is promoted to the starting side after originally being named on the bench.
TUESDAY: NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths has named his 22-woman squad for our Round 5 clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons this Sunday afternoon at Central Coast Stadium.
Griffiths: Training week and debutants included
Bobbi Law has also been included in the squad as she works to return from a hip injury that ruled her out of Sunday’s match.
Emmanita Paki has been retained at centre after debuting in round four.
Kayla Romaniuk and Jessica Gentle have been rewarded for their consistent training efforts by also being named in the extended squad with Romaniuk named on the bench.
It caps a big two days for Gentle who was named Country Women’s Player of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal ceremony in Sydney on Monday night.
For the Dragons, the Red V have reverted back to their 1-22.
Tara McGrath-West earns a start after racking up over 200 metres last week.
FORM GUIDE
After three wins on the trot, the Knights suffered their first loss going down 18-16 to the Sydney Roosters last weekend.
A late try to the Roosters stole the win from the Knights hands after an impressive second half showing.
NRLW Match Highlights: Knights v Roosters
The Dragons defeated the Brisbane Broncos 19-18 after golden point in Round 4.
The Red V sit in third spot with three wins and one loss, and only behind Newcastle on points differential.
STAT ATTACK
The Dragons defeated the Knights in the sole fixture between the two Club's in the 2021 season.
The Knights sit in first in the NRLW for post-contact metres with 1,980.
Along with her first try in Knights colours against the Roosters, Yasmin Clydsdale ran for 137 metres against the Tricolours from 11 runs.
For the Dragons, halfback Rachael Pearson leads the NRLW for kick metres with 1,109.
