There was a time when a trip to McDonald Jones Stadium would fill an opposition team with fear, but such are the Knights' woes in 2025 that Manly will have the opening game of Round 14 pencilled in for a victory.
Of course there will be no complacency for the Sea Eagles, even though they are coming off a slashing win over Brisbane while the Knights suffered their eighth loss of the season to the Dragons in another lacklustre display.
The Knights have treated their loyal fans to a victory only once in five home games this season - a 26-12 defeat of the Dolphins way back in Round 2.
The return of star fullback Kalyn Ponga will ensure the Knights are far more competitive, but their attack is the worst in the NRL with an average of 13ppg, so it's tough to see how they come up with enough points to trouble the Sea Eagles.
Match: Knights v Sea Eagles
Round 14 -
home Team
Knights
15th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: Greg Marzhew has come into the starting side an hour before kick-off as he returns from a knee injury. James Schiller shifts to centre and Kyle McCarthy drops out. A swap in the pack as well with Thomas Cant to start and Mat Croker going to the bench. Fullback Kalyn Ponga has also been cleared to make his return for the Knights after he was rested from last week's loss to the Dragons. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana is on track for his NRL debut.
Sea Eagles: Jazz Tevaga will start at prop and Toafofoa Sipley goes to the bench in a late change an hour before kick-off. Jake Trbojevic returns from a concussion, however brother Tom Trbojevic will wait another week before he makes his comeback from a nasty cork. Coach Anthony Seibold said the short turnaround played a role in the decision not to rush him back and declared the fullback a certain starter next weekend.
Match: Knights v Sea Eagles
Round 14 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Sea Eagles
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Lehi Hopoate
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Fletcher HuntWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Clayton Faulalo
-
Centre for Knights is number 2 James SchillerCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau Koula
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Knights is number 22 Greg MarzhewWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Tommy Talau
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke Brooks
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson FrizellProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Ethan Bullemor
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Brodie JonesProp for Sea Eagles is number 15 Jazz Tevaga
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Knights is number 15 Thomas CantLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Jake Simpkin
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jermaine McEwenInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Corey Waddell
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Nathan Brown
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jackson HastingsReplacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Michael Chee Kam
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only one of their past five games against the Sea Eagles.
- The Knights have lost their last four games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored eight tries in his past nine games.
- Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored six tries in six games against the Sea Eagles.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
