Ultimate Guide: NRL Round 8 preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Tue 23 Apr 2024, 04:49 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights will travel across the state border to take on the Dolphins this Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.

The red and blue will look to end a two-game losing run when they take on an in-form Dolphins side.

Both coaches have announced their squads for Sunday with a Knights stalwart set to notch a significant milestone for the Club.

DOLPHINS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Sunday 28 April

NRL kick-off: 2:00pm

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 2023

Dolphins: 1

Knights: 1

TEAMS

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 28 Apr

Full Time

Dolphins

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Trai Fuller

Fullback for Knights is number 1 David Armstrong
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Knights is number 2 Greg Marzhew
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Tesi Niu

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock

Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kenneath Bromwich

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jed Cartwright
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Oryn Keeley

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones

Reserves

Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Mason Teague

Replacement for Knights is number 19 Thomas Cant

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:45 PM

TEAM NEWS

Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien has named his 22-man squad for their Anzac Round clash against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday afternoon.

Prop, Jacob Saifiti, is set to notch a special milestone this weekend when he runs out for his 150th game for the Club.

The forward made his NRL debut back in 2016 alongside his twin brother Daniel, with J-Saf now set to join D-Saf past the 150 game milestone for the red and blue.

In team news, Coach O'Brien has named 23-year-old fullback David Armstrong to replace Kalyn Ponga in the No.1 jersey.

The Mungindi Grasshoppers junior is set to become Knight #349 on Sunday earning his opportunity in the top grade.

Dane Gagai is included in the centres and has been named to partner Jayden Brailey as Co-Captains against the Dolphins.

Furthermore, Jed Cartwright replaces Jack Hetherington in the 17 after Hetherington accepted a one-game suspension for a contrary conduct charge following Round 7.

For the Dolphins, just one change from the 17 who won big over the Eels last week, with Kurt Donoghoe’s return from suspension on the bench bumping Sean O’Sullivan back to the reserves.

ANZAC ROUND

The Knights and the wider game will honour and commemorate Anzac Round this week.

The side will wear a special commemorative jersey recognising the contribution made to our region by the service men and women of RAAF Base Williamtown and the Army School of Infantry, Singleton.

The design was a collaborative process with the Hunter Defence Support Network (HSDN) which encouraged submissions from serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

Read more about this year's jersey here.

FORM GUIDE

The Knights will to hit back following a last start 36-12 defeat to the Bulldogs in Sydney.

Currently sitting in 15th spot, the squad will aim to start to move up the ladder as we reach a third of the way through the season.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins sit in third spot after downing the Parramatta Eels last round 44-16.

KEY MATCH-UP

Greg Marzhew v Jamayne Isaako: The battle on the wing is set to light up Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

A continual metre-eater from the back, Marzhew has averaged 175 run metres to start the season plus provided 16 tackle breaks.

The Knights will look to contain Isaako, who has had 19 tackle breaks and scored two tries from six games.

STAT ATTACK

Knights forward Jacob Saifiti will notch 150 games for the Club on Sunday.

The match will be the third time the two Clubs have met with the ledger split down the middle as both sides collected a win in the Dolphins maiden season last year.

The Knights will look to up their completion rate percentage sitting at an average of 78% to start the season while the Dolphins have averaged 80%.