Round 4: Knights v Dragons NRLW preview
The final match of Round 4 of the NRLW sees the Newcastle Knights looking for their first win of the season when they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Sitting at the bottom of the ladder, the Knights are still looking for the maiden win in the competition after three straight defeats. Last weekend the Knights fell to their third straight defeat following their 28-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters at the SCG.
Whilst being competitive at times, the Knights haven't really matched their opponents this season barring their opening round defeat to the Eels. Last weekend, the experience of the Roosters was too much to handle for the Knights and they weren't able to match it with their more credentialed opponents for the full 70 minutes.
The Knights have been forced into one change this week although the exact knowledge of the change won't be known until later in the week after Ngatokotoru Arakua was suspended for 1 match after a dangerous throw charge last week. The Kiwi Ferns prop was named in the unchanged 17 so her replacement isn't known as yet.
After being undefeated until last week, the St George Illawarra Dragons have proven they could more than match it with the Broncos following their 22-18 defeat last week when it does have to be remembered the Dragons were heavily under-strength.
The Dragons matched it with the Broncos right through the 70 minutes in their contest and never let the Broncos get away from them with the Red ‘V' able to go try for try with their much-fancied opponents until Brisbane were able to score late in the game to seal the victory.
Returning to full strength, the Dragons welcome back Kezie Apps and Talei Holmes from injury whilst Madison Bartlett and Kody House return to the side following suspensions.
Who to watch: Experience needs to show for the Knights if they want to get their first victory of the season and being given another chance in the halves, Charntay Poko is the player that needs to be standing up for Newcastle. Poko's experience will be important if the Knights want to win.
Strong in attack and strong in defence, Taliah Fuimaono has been a key player for the Red ‘V' this season. The Dragons youngster has been strong and her playmaking has been excellent as well her defence which has seen her pull off some very strong tackles. Fuimaono might not be one of the biggest names in the competition yet, but she is still a player to watch.
The favourite: The Dragons are favourites given their good form this season and their stronger line-up.
My tip: It's hard to go past the Dragons, the Knights have been struggling and the fact that the Saints were able to match it with the Broncos for the full 70 minutes when they were understrength and with four key players returning, they will be stronger. Dragons by 16.
