Round 23: Dolphins v Knights preview
Win in the west to stay in the finals fight
As September approaches and the race for the finals intensifies, the Dolphins and the Newcastle Knights will head west as part of a double header set to have major ramifications on the make-up of the top eight.
Contesting the first NRL fixture at Perth's Optus Stadium since the opening round double header five years ago, both side's - currently sitting outside the top eight - will be treating Saturday night as a must-win encounter with five matches remaining in the regular season.
Coming into the round four points adrift of the top eight after an agonising last start defeat, a loss on Saturday evening will effectively end the Dolphins' hopes of featuring beyond the regular season.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with a wayward conversion proving the difference in last Sunday's 23-22 loss to the Bulldogs in Bundaberg, coach Wayne Bennett has been forced into changes with Kodi Nikorima replacing Euan Aitken (knee) in the centres, Anthony Milford coming into the halves and Isaiya Katoa joining the bench.
Facing off against the Roosters, Tigers, Cowboys and Warriors over the closing weeks of their inaugural campaign, a poor middle-third to the season has seen the Dolphins fall from fourth to 13th with just two wins from their past nine matches.
Going from also-rans to genuine top eight hopefuls with an unbeaten run throughout July, the Newcastle Knights could finish the weekend inside the top eight with a win on the west coast.
Taking the Raiders apart during a controlled 28-6 victory last Saturday, coach Adam O'Brien has stuck solid with the same squad that got the job done in Canberra with prop Daniel Saifiti (quad) still a few weeks away from returning to the field.
Eyeing off five straight wins for only the fourth time in two decades, the Knights have previously played in Perth during the short-lived existence of the Western Reds, emerging with a win and a loss from two appearances at the WACA during the mid-1990s.
Playing their next three matches at home against the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Sharks before a final round clash on the road opposite the Dragons, a win on Saturday could see the Knights in contention to not only qualify for the top eight but host a home final for the first time since 2006.
Only meeting: Round 3 2023 - Knights 20 Dolphins 36
Who to watch: Snaring his first career hat-trick against Newcastle earlier this season, Tesi Niu has experienced a campaign emblematic of the Dolphins on the whole. Beginning in fine form before struggling with injury and crossing for a paltry two tries since March, the 21-year-old outside back will be looking to rediscover his attacking best over the closing rounds. Averaging 135 running metres each week to go with seven line breaks and 34 tackle breaks for the year, Niu will return to Optus Stadium for the first time since bursting onto the scene with the Tongan 9s team just months after turning 18 four years ago.
Playing every game to date in his first season as Newcastle player #336, Jackson Hastings has been instrumental in instilling a renewed competitive streak throughout the Knights playing group. Having a hand in seven try assists, ten forced drop outs and snaring three tries of his own, the 27-year-old journeyman produced a controlled kicking game last week that saw the Knights take control early and rarely relent. Making the number seven jersey his own after a conflicted return to the NRL with the Tigers last season, a strong showing from Hastings could see the red and blue finish the round inside the top eight for the first time in 2023.
Favourite: Surging into favouritism off the back of four straight wins heading towards the business end of the season, the Knights are expected to emerge with two competition points in the west.
My tip: Momentum is one of the hardest things to overcome in rugby league and at the moment Newcastle have it in spades. Knights by 7.
