Round 20: Knights v Broncos preview
Season definer for rivals outside the eight
The Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos will fight to keep their finals hope alive when they meet at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday evening.
Coming off a dispiritingly poor showing on the road last week, the Newcastle Knights will return home determined to make amends for recent and historical losses.
Suffering an embarrassing 44-6 defeat at the hands of the Sea Eagles without three of their representative stars, coach Adam O'Brien will be banking on Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best backing up 72 hours after the State of Origin decider on Wednesday evening.
The Knights could also welcome back Tyson Gamble from a fractured foot after the former Brisbane playmaker was included on an extended bench following two months on the sidelines.
Claiming their most recent victory over Brisbane in 2021, and their last at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2019, the Knights hold a 50% record from eight home matches this season.
Plummeting to 13th on the ladder following six straight losses, the Brisbane Broncos will be treating Saturday evening as a must-win encounter if they are to recover over the final third of the season.
Matching the Dragons for tries only to be undone by goal kicking in a 30-26 defeat at home last Saturday, coach Kevin Walters has named his quartet of Origin stars - Reece Walsh, Selwyn Cobbo, Partick Carrigan and Payne Haas - on an extended bench alongside halfback Adam Reynolds with a call on their fitness to be made closer to kick-off.
New Zealand Maori representative Jesse Arthars will make his 50th appearance for the club; the 25-year-old outside back joined the Broncos from the Titans in 2020 and spent a season on-loan with the Warriors before establishing himself in the top grade last season.
Winning their past four meetings against the Knights at all venues, the Broncos have thrived in Newcastle over the past two decades with 10 wins and a draw from 16 visits.
Last meeting: Round 15 2023 - Broncos 24 Knights 20
Who to watch: Making an immediate impression in the NRL after leaving Super League as a premiership winner, Kai Pearce-Paul has defied expectations in his first season down under. Regarded as an attacking edge forward with a penchant for offloads, the 23-year-old English international has impressed with his durability and defensive capacity. Averaging 33 tackles each week and playing less than 80 minutes only twice, look for Pearce-Paul to continue his impressive season and push for his first try in the top grade.
Making his first grade debut in Newcastle while still a teenager two years ago, Ezra Mam has developed into game-breaking playmaker in a short period of time. Considered a genuine contender for the Queensland number six jersey weeks out from the representative season, the 21-year-old has been a consistent attacking force with 11 try assists to go with eight four-pointers of his own this season. Enjoying great fortune against the Knights throughout his career, look for Mam to feature prominently as the Broncos strive to break their run of losses.
FAVOURITE: The Broncos are expected to extend their dominant record over the Knights - despite going two months without a win.
MY TIP: If the Knights are able to line up with their representative stars in tow, the home side should be able to extend the Broncos misfortune to seven straight losses. Knights by 8.
