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Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels Sunday 2:00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Sunday afternoon heads to the Hunter as the Newcastle Knights will look to fend off a fired-up Parramatta Eels side as the two battle it out at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

After starting the season strongly with two successive wins, the Knights have found themselves struggling since with four straight losses to push them down the ladder. Potentially affected by the sideshow of what is the Kalyn Ponga contract drama, the Novocastrians have really struggled and will need to improve up their efforts.

The Knights are coming off a heart-breaking loss last weekend when they fell to a late 21-16 defeat at the hands of the St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong last week. It was hardly the best performance by either side and the Knights will be looking to improve on their efforts especially against a side that will be looking to make a statement. The efforts of several key players have been questioned by the media and fans including Kalyn Ponga and the clash against the Eels will be the perfect opportunity to show that they are contenders.

Some good news for the Knights with Adam Clune named to return this week following his late omission last week with a knee injury, Phoenix Crossland has moved back to the bench whilst Simi Sasagi goes to 18th man. Newcastle could also be boosted by the potential return of Hymel Hunt who has been named in the reserves.

Talked about as one of the best teams in the competition, the Parramatta Eels were brought back down to earth with a very heavy thud on Monday when they were outplayed in their last second 21-20 defeat to the previously winless Wests Tigers. The Eels had been playing an entertaining and hard to stop brand of football but struggled to put their stamp on the match last week and will look to make a statement on Sunday.

The Eels were poor last week and in a week where it was expected for their key players to stand up and make a Blue and Gold show, it was basic errors that were the main star of the Parramatta performance. Having a number of early chances, the Eels had to come from 20-10 behind to level things up only for Jackson Hastings to kick a final second field goal to break the hearts of the Eels.

The Eels welcome back Junior Paulo from his one match ban, the return of the big man sees Oregon Kaufusi move back to the bench whilst injury has seen Marata Niukore ruled out with Will Penisini moved to the centres and Hayze Perham on the wing. Mitch Rein has been bumped to the reserves with Jakob Arthur returning to the bench.

Last meeting: Finals Week 1 2021 - Eels 28 Knights 20

Who to watch: No doubt the focus has to be on Kalyn Ponga, with so much media focus around the Knights captain and fullback, his efforts this season and since his return from injury have been met with disappointment and anger from some Knights fans. Ponga needs to let his game do the talking to show that the distractions are non-existent and that he can lead the Knights back to form.

Having been one of the form halves of the competition, Dylan Brown impressed many with his performances this season. Last week, he had a good game but it certainly didn't match his performances of the rest of the season. The Eels will be wanting Brown to lift his game back to the level he delivered against the Storm to ensure a big statement is made.

The favourite: The Eels are considered to be strong favourites for the clash in Newcastle.

My tip: It's hard to go past the Eels this week, The blue and gold will be out to make a statement and I think they can do it on Sunday. The Knights performances have been pretty average to say the least and despite being in a close game, neither side was good. The Eels should have too much for the Knights. Eels by 20.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 15. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Brodie Jones 13. Kurt Mann 10. Daniel Saifiti 14. Phoenix Crossland 16. Leo Thompson 18. Simi Sasagi 17. Sauaso Sue

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Hayze Perham 3. Viliami Penisini 6. Dylan Brown 5. Bailey Simonsson 17. Jakob Arthur 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Nathan Brown 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Bryce Cartwright 20. Wiremu Greig

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Keiren Irons; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy;