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
Match: Panthers v Knights
Round 17 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia TuruvaWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack TagoCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Panthers is number 21 Tyrone PeacheyCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Panthers is number 22 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman SalmonFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 18 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
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Lock for Panthers is number 19 Matthew EisenhuthLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni LukeInterchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay SmithInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Luke GarnerInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Panthers is number 23 Liam HenryReplacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
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.
