Round 26: Knights v Sharks preview
Knights look to keep the good times rolling against Sharks in Sunday afternoon blockbuster
The Newcastle Knights will aim to continue their red-hot form when they welcome the Cronulla Sharks to town Sunday afternoon. Newcastle have won their last 7 games in a row including four of those at home at McDonald Jones Stadium. With Kalyn Ponga pulling the strings as attacking puppet master the Knights are vaulting themselves from nice mid-season story to genuine finals threat.
Ponga has been in masterful touch lately during the Knights winning streak, racking up 12 try assists, 10 line breaks and scoring three tries over the stretch, while well and truly putting himself in the conversation for the Kangaroos number 1 jersey at the end of the season.
And while the Knights are certainly humming in attack their defence is also to be commended having only conceded more than 20 points once in their seven-game winning streak and ranking fifth in points against across the entirety of the season. A win for Newcastle on Sunday will clinch them a finals berth with a good chance at a home final.
On the flip side, Cronulla are traveling quite well themselves and a win on Sunday will keep them right in the mix with Melbourne for the last all-important top 4 spot. The Sharks have won three in a row after losing three before that showing signs that they may just be peaking at the right time heading into September. They will look to continue their strong form away from home after a comprehensive victory against the Cowboys in Townsville last week and an overall record of 7-4 away from Pointsbet Stadium on the year.
If Kalyn Ponga is pulling the strings on the Knights attack, then Nicho Hynes is his puppeteering counterpart. The reigning Dally M Medallist will be looking to continue his great form this season and lead his side to victory. The Sharks lethal left edge will be looking to fire once again so keep an eye on the Dane Gagai vs Siosifa Talakai matchup down that side which will be sure to not disappoint.
In team news, Jackson Hastings has been named to be return at halfback for the Knights with Adam Clune dropping to the reserves. The Sharks have gone with the same 1-17 that brought home the win last week.
Last meeting: Round 12 2023 - Sharks 26 Knights 6
Who to watch: In an effort to prevent a restraining order from Ponga and his management I'll go with someone else from the Knights…that being Greg Marzhew. Marzhew is coming off a hat-trick against the Rabbitohs but his best and most important work for Newcastle is arguably his carries out of the backfield. Marzhew is leading the NRL in tackle busts while only playing 18 games and averages 200 metres running. Look for The Beast to continue his tackle busting form and maybe even find himself on the end of some KP wizardry at the attacking end.
For the Sharks I think Connor Tracey has done a great job filling in for the injured Will Kennedy the last few weeks. Tracey had his best game at fullback last week running for 273 metres and setting up a try. Tracey will look to use his elite speed to keep the defence guessing and run in some points for the Sharks.
Favourite: The Knights are currently favourites in the betting markets to make it 8 wins a row.
My tip: I'm calling for an upset here with Sharks to narrowly get it done with a late field goal. Sharks win 23-22.
