nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien has named his 22-man squad for their opening round battle against the Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium this Thursday night.
Captain Kalyn Ponga will lead the side out onto McDonald Jones Stadium for the first match of 2024 against last year's Elimination Final opponent.
New recruits Jack Cogger and Kai Pearce-Paul have been included in the team from the interchange bench with the Englishman set to become Knight #346, lining up in jersey 17.
The match is the first game to be played on Australian soil to start the 2024 NRL season. Tickets available here.
The two teams will also pay a moments silence prior to kick-off to honour the life of Leigh Maughan OAM.
Maughan was one of the driving forces – alongside Michael Hill and the late Gerry Edser – behind the Knights formation and entry into the NSW Rugby League competition in 1988.
A Knights Life Member, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for his service to Rugby League in the city and region.
See the squad below:
TEAM LIST
1. Kalyn Ponga (C) - Greg Tapp Printing
2. Enari Tuala - Allara Learning
3. Dane Gagai - DGI Trading
4. Bradman Best - Chill-Rite
5. Greg Marzhew - PalmerBet
6. Tyson Gamble - Guardian Safety Solutions
7. Jackson Hastings - Bella Group Services
8. Jacob Saifiti - Hunter City Motor Group
9. Phoenix Crossland - East Coast Building & Pest Services
10. Leo Thompson - Hunter Imaging
11. Tyson Frizell - Wests
12. Dylan Lucas - NBN News
13. Adam Elliott - Sydney Direct Fresh Produce
Interchange:
14. Jack Cogger - Taylors Outdoor Power Equipment
15. Daniel Saifiti - M&J Chickens
16. Jack Hetherington - Dandelion House
17. Kai Pearce-Paul - Hardy's
Extended Bench:
18. Jed Cartwright
19. Tom Jenkins
20. Will Pryce
21. Brodie Jones
22. Tom Cant
DETAILS
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
14th Position
away Team
Raiders
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
