Ultimate Guide: NRLW Round 3 preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Wed 16 Jul 2025, 12:04 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side return to McDonald Jones Stadium for their first home game of the season this Sunday night.

For the very first time, the squad will sport the orange hi-vis mining jersey while will play after the NRL side at the home of the Knights.

We've broken everything down so you can enjoy your Sunday night football.

Match Preview

Teams

Round 3 - Sunday 20th July

Full Time

Knights

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Michaela Brake
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio
Centre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita Paki
Winger for Knights is number 5 Tess Staines

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia Maliepo
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Emily Curtain

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Harata Butler
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri Paekau
Prop for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia Kitai
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Evah McEwen

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Shakira Baker
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale

2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah Atai
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-Jones

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jules Kirkpatrick

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Simone Karpani

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Maarire Puketapu
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Sienna Yeo

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace Kukutai

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Matekino Gray

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Viena Tinao

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Makayla Eli

Match Officials

Referee: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 01:22 am Monday 21st July 2025

Head-to-Head

This is the first match between the two Clubs in the NRLW.

Key Match-Up

Sheridan Gallagher v Michaela Brake: Two dynamic and game-breaking wingers will collide on Sunday.

Gallagher has started the new season in fine form averaging 178 run metres over the first two games along with six tackle breaks and a try.

Brake will pose her own threat after making the transition from rugby sevens and leads the league after two rounds for tackle breaks with 19.

Stat Attack

Olivia Higgins and Tayla Predebon will play their 30th Knights game for the Club

Tess Staines is set to become NRLW Knight #62 on Sunday night.

The Warriors have won one and lost one in their opening two fixtures.

Gameday Information

Newcastle Knights v Warriors

Date: Sunday 20 July, 2025

Gates open: 2:30pm

NRL kick-off: 4:05pm

NRLW kick-off: 6:15pm

Tickets: Purchase here

Membership: Play your part

Merchandise: Show your colours

Match Day Sponsor: NSW Mining

50/50 Charity Partner: Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Get behind your NRLW Knights for 2025

The Newcastle Knights NRLW side return home this Sunday and the best way to not miss a moment of the action is to become a 2025 Member.

With your membership, you get access to five home games including three standalone NRLW fixtures and two double-headers with the NRL side at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Already an NRL member? It's only $30 extra to secure your NRLW seats for the season.

See the membership options here.

Pre-Game

Enjoy the pre-game hype out the front of the stadium in the Fan Zone or the pre-match entertainment including club content, player interviews and mini leagues.

You can also swing by Wests New Lambton to soak in the pre-game buzz alongside your fellow Knights supporters and support the club that supports the Knights!

Just a short 5-minute stroll from the stadium, Wests is the ideal pre-game experience all season long.

Fan Zone

The Fan Zone is back for 2025 with plenty of activations for members and supporters to enjoy pre kick-off.

Have some fun on the Red Energy Jumping Castle
Get your face painted or collect a balloon animal
Collect your Knights KYC pin and a limited-edition NRL or NRLW Poster from our Membership team
Book your next holiday with the team at Reflections Holidays
Say hello to the team at McDonald Jones Homes
Deck yourself out in Knights kit at the 'Black Knight' merch van
Donate and go into the running to win a prize with the 50/50 charity raffle, with team wearing green around the grounds
Enjoy some tunes with a live DJ
Learn all about mining and the different organisations and people working in the industry in our region

Knights Youth Co. 2025 Pin Collection – Mining Jersey

This Sunday – Uncover the next exclusive pin!

In honour of our Mining Jersey and to pay respect to the workers and communities powering our region, this week’s limited-edition Youth Co. pin proudly reflects the strength of the Hunter’s mining heritage and celebrates the first year that both the NRL and NRLW squads will run onto the field in the jersey.

Claim yours this Sunday at the Knights Youth Co. Tent in the Fan Zone by showing your Knights Youth Co. or Junior Membership card. Limited stock so don't miss out.

Not a member? The Knights Youth Co. Membership is completely FREE* and is a special pass to a whole lot of fun, goodies, merch, pop-ups, perks and activities across the season.

Join now!

Venue

McDonald Jones Stadium, 294 Turton Rd, Broadmeadow NSW 2292

Membership Support

The Knights Membership Team are available to assist with any issues on match day. The team are located outside the entrance to the Western grandstand at the Membership Box Office Window.

We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets prior to match day to avoid disappointment and queues.

50-50 Charity Raffle

The 50-50 Charity Raffle is a not-for-profit fundraising product operated by the 50-50 Foundation. It is the Foundation's aim to raise significant funds for charities and good causes by partnering with sporting clubs and teams, event owners and charity partners to host fundraising raffles.

50% of the prize pool raised at each fundraising raffle goes to one lucky ticket holder who is drawn at random during the event. The remaining 50% goes directly towards charitable purposes.

This week's Charity Partner - Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Purchase a ticket

Shuttle

Knights fans will have an easy time getting to Newcastle Knights home games thanks to free, dedicated bus services that will run to McDonald Jones Stadium during the 2025 season.

See timetable here.

Free bus services for Knights fans will run at regular intervals from two hours prior to kick off from selected bus stops along the route. Return services will run for around an hour after full-time. Catch one of the five stadium shuttle services to get to Knights games at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2024.

Parking

Fans driving to the game are encouraged to plan to arrive early as parking on-site and in the area will be in high demand and traffic may be heavier than usual.

Parking on game days is available only for vehicles with a pre-paid parking ticket.

Disabled parking areas have been designated in close proximity to each of the McDonald Jones Stadium accessible entries.

To purchase mobility parking please phone Ticketmaster on 136 100 or visit the Ticketmaster box office at the Stadium.

Train

The closest station to McDonald Jones Stadium is Broadmeadow on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line.

Trains run regularly to Broadmeadow on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line which is within walking distance of McDonald Jones Stadium.

Remember you'll need to use an Opal card or contactless payment method when travelling to and from the game on public transport. Register your details via the Opal website or app ahead of time.

Drop-off zones

If you wish to drop off a patron in the stadium's car park we do have a 10-minute loading zone. This can be accessed by entering either driveway off Turton Road.

Taxi

McDonald Jones Stadium taxi stand is located at Young Road, Broadmeadow. Taxis can be accessed after the event by following the signs to Young Road. For further information please contact Newcastle Taxis on 13 33 00.

Accommodation

Looking for somewhere to stay? Take advantage of accommodation at The Executive; one of the closest hotels to the stadium featuring kids stay free* all year round.

Only a 13-minute walk to the stadium! Call 02 4935 1100 to book or jump online to explore availability.

*T&Cs apply.

To watch

The NRL and NRLW matches will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.

For overseas viewers, you can tune in via watchnrl.com