Knights v Panthers preview

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Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers Saturday 5:30pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Mouth-watering halves match-up awaits as Knights lock horns with Panthers.

The new-look halves combination at Newcastle of Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce going head to head with New South Wales incumbents Nathan Cleary and James Maloney has many in the media building it up as potentially having Origin ramifications. Whilst it's a little early to be thinking what happens in round two will have an impact on who state coaches select in late May, it looms as one of many intriguing clashes across the park none the less.

The Knights will be looking to open the season with back to back victories after their tough and gritty win against the Sharks last week and will be looking for their new-look middle-third of David Klemmer, James Gavet and Tim Glasby to again show the way. They will be looking for improvement in their attack this weekend after Pearce himself labelled them ‘clunky' when attacking in key opportunities last week. Expect to see the likes of Ponga and Connor Watson on the end of some long balls from Pearce giving them more time and space to weave their magic.

The Panthers on the other hand will be looking to quickly bounce back after a lacklustre opening performance going down to the Eels. A focus on starting the game well and controlling the ball will be paramount to their chances here. After being labelled the ‘comeback kings' in 2018, they again fell behind on the scoreboard in the season-opener. Their lack of ball control was also a worrying sign completing just 62% of possessions.

The Knights have been forced into one change after Daniel Saifiti picked up a minor knee injury ruling him out for 2-3 weeks. Arguably the unluckiest player in the competition to miss selection in round one, Herman Ese'ese will take his place on the bench and will be looking to make a huge impact and cement his spot in the top 17.

In a positive for the Panthers, Sione Katoa has been named to slot back into his number nine jersey after missing last week through a concussion he picked up at training. Although he and skipper Isaah Yeo will need to pass concussion protocol during the week. Katoa's inclusion will see Wade Egan drop back to the bench where he'll be joined by Frank Winterstein who arrived at the club from Manly only last week. Tyrell Fuimaono (ankle) and Jarome Luai drop out of the 17. 

Last meeting: Round 23 2018 - Panthers 12 Knights 20

In an upset victory at Panthers Stadium, the Knights unearthed Ponga in the number six for the first time and the move essentially planted the seed for a permanent move after he and Pearce combined to control proceedings. It was a fiery affair in which four players were sin-binned late after a flurry of wild punches were thrown.

Who to watch: Arguably the Knights best forward in 2018, Herman Ese'ese was a surprise omission from the round one team sheet. Coach Nathan Brown was quick to remind everyone that Ese'ese would still play a major role in the team's season and it hasn't taken long for big Herman to get his chance. As good as the tall timber of the Knights new pack looked last week, Ese'ese brings attributes to the pack which should balance out the side nicely. With good footwork at the line and strong leg-speed, he should quicken up the speed of the play the ball which will get the side rolling and inevitably create more space for the backline to fire.

After being dropped to the bench an hour prior to kick-off last weekend, Reagan Campbell-Gillard was expected to bring a real impact to the game when he came on. Despite working hard in defence with 40 tackles, he failed to make any impact with ball in hand. In fact, he only touched the steeden five times which is nowhere near enough for a representative front-rower. He will no doubt be looking to make up for that performance after being named in his preferred number ten jersey on Tuesday and will be pumped to take the challenge up to David Klemmer and co on Saturday evening. Has made a real name for himself with his fearless charges at the defensive line and willingness to put his body on the line in defence. Look for him to bring plenty of fire and brimstone to this contest. 

The favourite: After their first-up win, the Knights $1.76 hold favouritism over the Panthers $2.05

My tip: The Panthers have the ability to blow any team off the park if they start well and control the ball, but that seems like a big ‘if' these days. On the back of their committed 80 minutes of footy last week and with plenty of attacking improvement left in them, look for the Knights to get the job done in front of the McDonald Jones Stadium faithful. Knights by 10.

1. Connor Watson 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. James Gavet 12. Sione Mata'utia 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Tim Glasby 14. Kurt Mann 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Mitchell Barnett 17. Herman Ese'ese

1. Dylan Edwards 21. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak 3. Dean Whare 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Sione Katoa 16. Moses Leota 11. James Fisher-Harris 12. Isaah Yeo 13. Hame Sele 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 14. Wayde Egan 15. Frank Winterstein 17. Jack Hetherington

Referees: Dave Munro, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Nick Morel, Rickey McFarlane; Video Referees: Henry Perenara, Beau Scott;