The nib Newcastle Knights are back home for a Friday night showdown against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Silverware will be on the line when the two sides play for the Alex McKinnon Cup, named after an inspiring figure of both Clubs.
The Coaches have named their squads for Friday night with another crucial two points on the line.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Date: Friday 5 April
NSW Cup kick-off: 5:45pm
NRL kick-off: 8:00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
GAME DAY INFORMATION
See everything you need to know about what's happening at the game this Friday night.
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Play your part
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Partner: Got Your Back Sista
Match Day Sponsor: Triple M
O'Brien on team changes, Dragons preview and start to the season
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1999
Knights: 14
Dragons: 29
Blake Green: Coaching attack, play styles and career quiz
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Dragons
Round 5 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
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2nd Row for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix CrosslandInterchange for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel SaifitiInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jesse Marschke
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Michael Molo
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 22 Thomas CantReplacement for Dragons is number 21 Toby Couchman
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In one change, Dylan Lucas replaced Tyson Frizell in the second-row
TUESDAY: Leo Thompson returns to the squad after serving a one-game suspension, while Daniel Saifiti moves back to the interchange.
Jackson Hastings returns at halfback, lining up alongside Jack Cogger in the halves.
In the dummy-half role, Jayden Brailey has been named to start with Phoenix Crossland moving to the interchange.
Also, Dane Gagai is named to return in the centres after missing the clash against the Warriors.
For the Dragons, just one change to the 17 who took the field against the Sea Eagles last week, with Michael Molo replacing Hame Sele on the bench.
Tuala: 'It's an opportunity to bounce back'
ALEX MCKINNON CUP
The two sides will play for silverware on Friday night when they battle for the Alex McKinnon Cup.
An inspiring figure of both Clubs, McKinnon played 46 games for the red and blue over three seasons before his career came to an end in 2014 due to a spinal injury.
The Cup is contested on the first fixture of the season between the two Clubs.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights were defeated 20-12 by the Warriors last start over in New Zealand.
The side currently sit in 15th spot on the ladder with one win from four.
St George Illawarra won their last game with a 20-12 win over Manly.
Pearce-Paul: 'I'm building my game'
KEY MATCH-UP
Kai Pearce-Paul v Jaydn Su'a: KPP will go head-to-head with Dragons forward Jaydn Su'a on Friday night.
The Englishman has made an immediate impact since his debut in Round 1 with five offloads and an average of 110 run metres.
He will take on Su'a who has had 12 tackle breaks to start the season and poses a threat on the edge.
STAT ATTACK
The Knights currently hold the Alex McKinnon Cup following a win over the Dragons in the final round of last season.
The red and blue sit fourth for post-contact metres for the season with just over 2,400.
Enari Tuala has scored four tries in his last four matches against the Dragons.
