The nib Newcastle Knights will return home to take on the Melbourne Storm this Sunday night.
The side is fired up to play in front of the Knights faithful, aiming to kickstart the 2024 season with a win on home soil.
The two coaches have named their squads for the battle with all three grades set to play across the day at McDonald Jones Stadium.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v MELBOURNE STORM
Date: Sunday 24 March
Gates/Fan Zone open: 1:45pm
Jersey Flegg Cup kick-off: 2:00pm
NSW Cup kick-off: 3:45pm
NRL kick-off: 6:15pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Theme: Multicultural Round
Jenkins: 'We're building'
GAME DAY INFORMATION
See everything you need to know about what's happening at the game this Sunday night.
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Play your part
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Partner: Allambi Care
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 46
Knights: 16
Storm: 30
Elliott: 'There's a few roles I need to play'
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Storm
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Storm is number 3 Reimis Smith
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Storm is number 4 Nick Meaney
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Jonah Pezet
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Storm is number 8 Tui Kamikamica
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Storm is number 22 Shawn Blore
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Storm is number 14 Kane Bradley
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel SaifitiInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tepai Moeroa
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Interchange for Knights is number 20 Mat CrokerInterchange for Storm is number 16 Chris Lewis
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Interchange for Knights is number 21 Dylan LucasInterchange for Storm is number 17 Alec MacDonald
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 18 Brodie JonesReplacement for Storm is number 18 Grant Anderson
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
In team news, Jack Cogger has moved to halfback with Jayden Brailey brought into the squad for his first appearance of the season, named in jersey 14.
On the wing, Enari Tuala re-joins the squad replacing Greg Marzhew in the starting line-up.
Marzhew is set to undergo wrist surgery on a fractured scaphoid and will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
For the Storm, with Jahrome Hughes suspended, Tyran Wishart moves from the bench to halfback and Kane Bradley joins the interchange.
Prop Christian Welch is also sidelined after failing a HIA last week so Tepai Moeroa joins the bench.
MULTICULTURAL ROUND
This week, the Club will celebrate Multicultural Round recognizing the diverse cultures at the Knights and broader community.
On gameday, we'll have special cultural performances before NRL kick-off and at half-time.
The players will also showcase their cultural heritage, wearing their national flags on team run-out and at full-time.
KP's Māori Heritage
KEY MATCH-UP
Kalyn Ponga v Ryan Papenhuyzen: Two of the games best fullbacks will light up McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.
Captain Kalyn has averaged 174 run metres to start the season and has kicked six from six with the boot.
The Knights will come up against Papenhuyzen who returned to his best last round against the Warriors with two tries and seven tackle breaks.
The No.1 battle will go along way to deciding the result of the match come Sunday night.
FORM GUIDE
A gritty Knights side were defeated at the death by the North Queensland Cowboys last start.
The team were beaten by a point in golden point as they chase their first win of the campaign.
Melbourne have won their opening two games including a 30-26 win over the Warriors last round.
STAT ATTACK
Both sides have executed the most short drop-outs to start the season with four each.
Dane Gagai sits second on the NRL stats ladder after the opening two games for tackle breaks with 14, one behind leader Brisbane forward Payne Haas.
Melbourne lead the competition after two rounds with 31 dummy-half runs.
