The nib Newcastle Knights are back on the road this Friday night travelling down to Parramatta to play the Eels at CommBank Stadium in Round 9 of the 2023 competition.
Chasing a confidence-boosting win heading into the midway point of the season, the Knights will eye a vital two points before our first bye of the season next round.
They will face a tough Eels outfit, who hold a strong record on home turf.
PARRAMATTA EELS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Friday, April 28th
Kick-off: 6:00pm
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
AOB on Round 9 preview and execution
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Eels: 26
Knights: 30
Draws: 1
TEAMS
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Haze DunsterWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Wiremu GreigProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Eels is number 14 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
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Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan HandsInterchange for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Eels is number 20 Ofahiki OgdenInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake ArthurReplacement for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien stuck with the same 17 that went down to the Cowboys with skipper Kalyn Ponga set to start at five-eighth after coming off the bench in his return from concussion in Round 8. Tyson Gamble goes to the bench.
For the Eels, Sean Russell moves into the centres to cover for Bailey Simonsson (head knock) and Haze Dunster comes in on the wing.
Wiremu Greig is the new starting prop in place of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who faces an extended period on the sideline with a groin injury suffered against the Broncos. Makahesi Makatoa joins the interchange bench.
Best on combinations and crucial games
FORM GUIDE
The Knights were narrowly defeated 18-16 against the North Queensland Cowboys last start.
The red and blue currently sit in 12th spot from the opening rounds with three wins, a draw and four defeats.
On the other side, the Eels sit in 13th spot on the ladder after a loss to Brisbane, 26-16 last round.
KEY MATCH-UP
Dominic Young v Maika Sivo: Two dynamic and strong wingers will do battle on Friday night, with a knack of finding the try-line.
Young has eight tries from seven games this season and nine line-breaks.
The towering Englishman will come up against Fijian flyer in Sivo, who leads the NRL in tries with 10 so far this campaign.
Frizell on leadership and Eels test
STAT ATTACK
The Knights play their first game at CommBank Stadium since 2020.
Dane Gagai has scored six tries in his past five games against the Eels.
Newcastle will look to break a four-year drought having last beaten the Eels in 2019.
