Defend the Kingdom: Round 17 NRL preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Fri 23 Jun 2023, 05:38 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights will look forward to a huge test against the reigning premiers, the Penrith Panthers, this Saturday away from home.

The red and blue will aim to return to winning ways and claim a victory against the 2021 and 2022 premiers, who hold a strong record on home turf.

All three grades will also be in action across the day at BlueBet Stadium chasing big wins at the foot of the mountains.

PENRITH PANTHERS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Saturday, June 24th

Kick-off: 5:30pm

Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith

The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 1988

Panthers: 26

Knights: 24

Draws: 4

TEAMS

Round 17 - Round 17 - Saturday 24 Jun

Full Time

Panthers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Panthers is number 21 Tyrone Peachey

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Panthers is number 22 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack Cogger

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Panthers is number 18 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
Lock for Panthers is number 19 Matthew Eisenhuth

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Luke Garner

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

Replacement for Panthers is number 23 Liam Henry

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:30 AM

TEAM NEWS

UPDATE: No changes to the Knights team at the 24 hour update.

For Penrith, their Origin players won't back up, leading to a number of changes in the 24-hour update.

Tyrone Peachey starts at centre with Thomas Jenkins on the wing while Jaeman Salmon returns to the halves to partner Jack Cogger.

Scott Sorensen and Zac Hosking are the back row duo while Matt Eisenhuth shifts back to lock for Isaah Yeo. Luke Garner joins the bench in jersey 20 with Liam Henry named as 18th Man.

TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, has named his 22-man squad for our battle against the Penrith Panthers.

Greg Marzhew returns to the wing with Enari Tuala included in the extended bench along with Brodie Jones.

Phoenix Crossland will play his 50th NRL match, after progressing through our pathways system and debuting at just 19 years old in Round 16, 2019.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon is unavailable for selection due a Category One concussion from last week's match against the Roosters.

NSW Blues backrower Tyson Frizell will be assessed following Origin tomorrow night.

For the Panthers, the return of Moses Leota from time away on personal grounds bumps Matt Eisenhuth out of the 17, while Scott Sorensen and Liam Martin are the new back-row duo at the expense of Zac Hosking, who is 18th man.

Martin is among the club's five Origin players who have all been named to back up at this stage.

FORM GUIDE

The Knights were downed at home last start by the Sydney Roosters 18-16.

Sitting in 14th spot on the ladder, the team is three points outside of the top eight.

Meanwhile the reigning premiers sit second on the ladder with nine wins and five defeats.

They were defeated 27-23 by the North Queensland Cowboys in golden point last round.

Best on incoming challenge and consistency

STAT ATTACK

Both sides sit in the NRL's top three for tackle breaks this year, with the Panthers leading the way with an average of 39.9 per game and the Knights third, averaging 38.4.

Knights winger Dom Young sits equal top of the NRL try-scoring charts with 16.

The Knights are aiming for their 400th win since joining the premiership in 1988.

The Panthers have won six of their past seven games at BlueBet Stadium.