Defend the Kingdom: NRL Round 27 preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Wed 30 Aug 2023, 02:51 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights will travel down to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium for the final regular season game to take on the Dragons.

Following eight consecutive wins and with a spot in the finals assured, the side will look to continue to build towards September footy.

Head Coach Adam O'Brien has named his squad with a number of changes to the recent outing including a new Captain to lead out the side and a Club debutant.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Saturday, September 2nd

Kick-off: 7:35pm

Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

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

Lucas on Round 26 performance and Dragons challenge

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 1999

Dragons: 29

Knights: 13

TEAMS

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 2 Sep

Full Time

Dragons

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Connor Muhleisen

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Fa'amanu Brown
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Dan Russell

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Riley Jones
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Oryn Keeley

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Toby Couchman

Replacement for Knights is number 24 Dane Aukafolau

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:38 AM

TEAM NEWS

UPDATE: Front-row forward Leo Thompson is a late withdrawal with Jack Hetherington taking his spot in the run-on side. Oryn Keeley joins the interchange bench.

TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien has named his 22-man squad for their battle against the St George Illawarra Dragons.

This week's starting lineup has numerous changes, including Lachlan Miller, Enari Tuala, Fa’amanu Brown and Brodie Jones, meanwhile exciting young hooker Riley Jones has been named to make his NRL debut off the interchange bench.

State of Origin representative Jacob Saifiti will achieve another significant milestone, when he leads the Knights onto the field as Captain for the first time.

For the Dragons, Jack de Belin returns from suspension at lock so Michael Molo goes to the bench.

Debutant Sione Finau suffered an ankle injury against the Warriors and is replaced by Mat Feagai on the wing. Jayden Sullivan is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury.

FORM GUIDE

The Knights made it eight wins in a row with their victory over the Cronulla Sharks last round.

The red and blue wrapped up a finals spot - and a home semi-final - with the latest result.

They will play the final round against the Dragons who went down 18-6 to the Warriors last round.

KEY MATCH-UP

Adam Clune v Ben Hunt: The battle of the No.7's will go a long way towards victory on Saturday.

Adam Clune has stood tall in the absence of Jackson Hastings with three try-assists and four line-breaks assists.

'Cluney' will partner Tyson Gamble in the halves to take on the Red V.

They will line-up against Queensland representative Ben Hunt who has 19 try-assists and 11 forced drop outs this season.

Young on Club try record and win streak

STAT ATTACK

One more try for Dom Young will see him sit alone with the most tries in a single season for the red and blue. Greg Marzhew sits just behind on 19 tries for the season.

The best winning streak in Knights history is 11 on the trot between Round 25, 2001 and Round 6, 2002, which included the 2001 grand final victory.

Knights backs Greg Marzhew (162) is first for tackle breaks in the NRL.

Riley Jones will become Knight No.345 when he makes his NRL debut.