Round 18: Prince Ponga back in action as Knights journey to Canberra
The return of Kalyn Ponga looks set to buoy a Knights side looking to crack the top 8 when they take on the flagging Canberra Raiders.
The Raiders are coming off a 16-6 loss to the Knights, their 4th loss in 5 matches. Tom Starling was a wall in defence with 52 tackles, while Kaeo Weekes had a mixed bag - scoring a try but also making three errors. Adam Cook was strong as well, but the team lacked performances from stars Xavier Savage, Jordan Rapana and Matthew Timoko.
By contrast the Knights took a much needed 34-26 win against the Eels, snapping a three game losing streak between their first two byes. Bradman Best was at his dominant… best… with two tries, two try assists, 8 tackle breaks and an absurd 357 running metres. Greg Marzhew recorded a double, Jackson Hastings picked up two line break assists and Dane Gagai staked his claim for a Maroons recall with 8 tackle breaks of his own.
Ricky Stuart has opted for major changes to the Raiders side in a bid to revive their season, notably Kaeo Weekes making his move to fullback permanent with Jordan Rapana sliding back to the wing and Adam Cook replacing him at halfback. Simi Sasagi joins the interchange in place of Jordan Martin, who has entered concussion protocols after failing a HIA on debut.
Newcastle welcome back superstar Kalyn Ponga at fullback, who hasn't played since picking up a Lisfranc injury in Round 7. Elsewhere Leo Thompson returns at prop after being a late withdrawal last week with an Achilles problem and Dylan Lucas has overcome a hamstring issue to take his place on the bench. Hooker Phoenix Crossland is in concussion protocol so Jayden Brailey starts and Fletcher Sharpe fills the bench utility role.
The Knights have slowly brought their defence above the league average, now conceding just under 22 points a game. Their attack is still a struggle, scoring less than 19 per match. By comparison, Canberra score just over 20 points a game but their defence is much worse, conceding slightly more than 26 each time they take the field.
Last meeting: Round 1 2024 - Knights 12 Raiders 28
Who to watch: Kaeo Weekes' move to fullback feels like a make or break decision in the Raiders season. He's been good this season - with 5 tries and 3 try assists through 8 appearances - but he wasn't a traditional halfback, forcing just one drop out while averaging 112 running metres a game. Fullback suits him better, and Ricky Stuart is giving him the chance to stake his claim before he potentially turns to NSW U/19s star Chevy Stewart.
Obviously there's one man to watch for Newcastle: Kalyn Ponga. Ponga's start to the season was not exactly flash, with just one try to go along with 4 try assists in his first 6 games before suffering a foot injury in Round 7. But one thing is obvious - Newcastle play their best when Ponga is wearing the number one jersey. As the Knights push for finals football, Ponga returning to even shades of the form that won him last years Dally M Medal would be vital.
The favourite: Newcastle are the most backed in this one.
My tip: Just on a morale level, the return of Ponga is invaluable for the Knights. If he can come back with form as well, they might be irresistible. Knights by 12
