Knights v Dragons NRLW preview

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons Sunday 1:45pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

The final match of Round 4 of the NRLW sees the Newcastle Knights looking for their first win of the season when they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Sitting at the bottom of the ladder, the Knights are still looking for the maiden win in the competition after three straight defeats. Last weekend the Knights fell to their third straight defeat following their 28-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters at the SCG.

Whilst being competitive at times, the Knights haven't really matched their opponents this season barring their opening round defeat to the Eels. Last weekend, the experience of the Roosters was too much to handle for the Knights and they weren't able to match it with their more credentialed opponents for the full 70 minutes. 

The Knights have been forced into one change this week although the exact knowledge of the change won't be known until later in the week after Ngatokotoru Arakua was suspended for 1 match after a dangerous throw charge last week. The Kiwi Ferns prop was named in the unchanged 17 so her replacement isn't known as yet.

After being undefeated until last week, the St George Illawarra Dragons have proven they could more than match it with the Broncos following their 22-18 defeat last week when it does have to be remembered the Dragons were heavily under-strength.

The Dragons matched it with the Broncos right through the 70 minutes in their contest and never let the Broncos get away from them with the Red ‘V' able to go try for try with their much-fancied opponents until Brisbane were able to score late in the game to seal the victory.

Returning to full strength, the Dragons welcome back Kezie Apps and Talei Holmes from injury whilst Madison Bartlett and Kody House return to the side following suspensions. 

Last meeting: never met

Who to watch: Experience needs to show for the Knights if they want to get their first victory of the season and being given another chance in the halves, Charntay Poko is the player that needs to be standing up for Newcastle. Poko's experience will be important if the Knights want to win.

Strong in attack and strong in defence, Taliah Fuimaono has been a key player for the Red ‘V' this season. The Dragons youngster has been strong and her playmaking has been excellent as well her defence which has seen her pull off some very strong tackles. Fuimaono might not be one of the biggest names in the competition yet, but she is still a player to watch.

The favourite: The Dragons are favourites given their good form this season and their stronger line-up.

My tip: It's hard to go past the Dragons, the Knights have been struggling and the fact that the Saints were able to match it with the Broncos for the full 70 minutes when they were understrength and with four key players returning, they will be stronger. Dragons by 16.

1. Romy Teitzel 2. Katelyn Vaha'akolo 3. Jayme Fressard 4. Bobbi Law 6. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly 17. Kirra Dibb 7. Tahlulah Tillett 16. Phoebe Desmond 9. Krystal Rota 10. Annetta Nuuausala 11. Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce 18. Maitua Feterika 13. Charntay Poko 14. Emma Manzelmann 15. Charlotte Scanlan 19. Kyra Simon 22. Kararaina Wira-Kohu 21. Chantelle Graham

1. Emma Tonegato 2. Teagan Berry 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Page McGregor 5. Madison Bartlett 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Keeley Davis 10. Kezie Apps 15. Kody House 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Holli Wheeler 14. Quincy Dodd 18. Renee Targett 21. Aliti Namoce 22. Alexandra Sulusi 20. Shellie Long

Referees: Karra-Lee Nolan; Sideline Officials: Jake Sutherland, Tori Wilkie; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;