Members and supporters won't want to miss this Saturday's blockbusters at McDonald Jones Stadium with the nib Newcastle Knights NRL and NRLW sides in action for a huge double-header.
The NRL side will look to continue their momentum after back to back wins when they play the Melbourne Storm.
Meanwhile, the NRLW side will kick off their campaign when they host the Dragons before the NRL side.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS NRL v MELBOURNE STORM NRL
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS NRLW v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS NRLW
Date: Saturday, July 22nd
NRLW Kick-off: 3:10pm
NRL Kick-off: 5:30pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
The NRL match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
The NRLW match will be shown live on Nine, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
Croker on weekly focus and Storm challenge
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Game Day Itinerary: See here
Gates/Fan Zone open: 2:45pm
NRLW Kick: 3:10pm
NRL kick-off: 5:30pm
Merchandise: Show your colours
Membership: 3 Game Membership
Tickets: Purchase here
50-50 Charity Partner: OzHarvest
Match Day Sponsor: Hunter City Motor Group
NRL HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1998
Knights: 15
Storm: 30
NRLW HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Knights: 2
Dragons: 1
Meet the 2023 NRLW squad
NRL TEAMS
Match: Knights v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Storm is number 1 Nick Meaney
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Storm is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Trent Loiero
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Storm is number 13 Josh King
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tom Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tariq Sims
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Storm is number 18 Bronson Garlick
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 20 Brodie JonesReplacement for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins
Last updated:
NRL TEAM NEWS
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for our clash against Melbourne Stadium at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday.
Dane Gagai has been named in the line-up after missing the last couple of rounds due to a foot injury.
The rest of the team is unchanged from the side which defeated the Tigers in Round 20.
For the Storm, Marion Seve returned from a jaw injury in Queensland Cup on Saturday and is listed among the reserves but coach Craig Bellamy has stuck solid with the same 17 that got the job done against the Roosters.
NRLW TEAMS
Match: Knights v Dragons
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Dragons is number 2 Taylor Mapusua
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi Law
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Dragons is number 5 Shenai Lendill
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Caitlin MoranFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla Nathan-Wong
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee Targett
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Rima ButlerProp for Dragons is number 10 Tara McGrath-West
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Caitlan Johnston2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Sara Sautia
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Roxy Murdoch
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Laishon Albert-JonesLock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ella Koster
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Jamilee Bright
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Viena TinaoInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Maddison Weatherall
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Tiana DavisonReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Kaarla Cowan
Match Officials
- Referee: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
NRLW TEAM NEWS
TUESDAY: Knights NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths named his 22-woman squad for our opening round clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
There is a host of new faces lining up in the red and blue for the first time.
Sheridan Gallagher, Abigail Roache, Laishon Albert-Jones and Viena Tinao will make their NRLW debut while Jasmin Strange, Rima Butler and Nita Maynard will make their Club debut.
Newly named Vice-Captain, Tamika Upton will lead the side out for the first time in the absence of Hannah Southwell.
World Cup winners Yasmin Clydsdale and Caitlan Johnston line-up in the second-row together while NRLW Rookie of the Year Jesse Southwell is back at halfback.
For the Dragons, Jamie Soward will blood five debutants in Round 1 including rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong, who will partner Raecene McGregor in the halves.
Rookie winger Shenai Lendill and young gun Alexis Tauaneai will also start with Ella Koster and Jamilee Bright to come off the bench. Only five players are back from Soward's 2022 campaign with Teagan Berry to start at fullback for the first time in her NRLW career.
NRL FORM GUIDE
The Knights recorded back to back victories with their victory over the Wests Tigers last round.
The side rose to 11th on the ladder after the result and sit three points away from a top eight spot.
Melbourne sit in third spot on the ladder after their Round 20 win over the Roosters, 30-16.
The Storm have won four of their last five games.
Upton on pre-season and 2023 NRLW campaign
NRLW FORM GUIDE
The Knights kick off their season as the reigning premiers following the Grand Final success from last season.
The side played one trial game before season kick-off going down 18-4 to a strong Broncos outfit at Maitland Sportsground.
The Dragons finished in third spot at the end of last season.
The Red V went down 18-14 to the Parramatta Eels in their NRLW trial in pre-season.
NRL KEY MATCH-UP
Greg Marzhew v Xavier Coates: Differing in size, both wingers bring plenty of go-forward and strike on the edges.
Metre-eater Marzhew leads the NRL for tackle breaks this season with 118.
The Auckland born winger has 12 tries for the season along with an average of 202 running metres per game.
The Knights will look to contain the dangerous Xavier Coates who scored a hat-trick last time out against the Roosters along with 12 for the campaign.
NRLW KEY MATCH-UP
Jesse Southwell v Raecene McGregor: It's the reigning NRLW Rookie of the Year against the NRLW Player of the Year in the halves this Saturday.
Southwell made her State of Origin debut for NSW earlier this season after a breakout campaign in 2022.
The 18-year-old scored two tries and set up six more in the 2022 season.
The Knights will come up against the reigning NRLW Dally M award winner in McGregor who had 10 try-assists from the previous campaign.
STAT ATTACK
Dom Young currently leads the NRL try-scorers list with 18 for the season.
NRLW fullback Tamika Upton has scored the most tries in NRLW history with 12 in her career from 18 games.
The Knights will look to break their run against the Storm having last beaten Melbourne back in 2015.
Seven players will make their Club debut for the NRLW side this weekend.
