Knights v Titans preview

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Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans Friday 6:00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Desperation day for ladder laggards

The Newcastle Knights and the Gold Coast Titans will be fighting to keep their faint finals hopes in tact when they clash in Newcastle on Friday evening.

Most recently facing off for a place in the top eight during the penultimate round of last season, the two sides will meet under vastly different circumstances after enduring dramatic declines over the first half of the 2022 campaign.

Determined to put an end to a horror run of performances at McDonald Jones Stadium, the Newcastle Knights will be aiming to repay the faith shown by their loyal supporters with a much-needed win on home soil.

Coming off a heartbreaking 20-18 defeat on the road to the Raiders in their last performance, coach Adam O'Brien has been dealt a major blow with captain Kalyn Ponga ruled out after sustaining a concussion in the closing minutes of Sunday night's second State of Origin encounter. Tex Hoy will gain another chance to press his case in the top grade in the number one jersey, while Daniel Saifiti and Bradman Best could be late inclusions after being named as part of the extended bench.

Sitting in 12th position with four wins over the opening 15 rounds, the Knights hold the unwanted distinction as the worst attacking team in the league with an average of 13 points per game so far this season.

Conceding 197 points while scoring a measly 28 in their past five home matches, the Knights have performed strongly historically against the Titans with eight wins from 12 meetings in Newcastle.

Languishing at the bottom of the NRL ladder with the second worst defensive record, the Gold Coast Titans will be desperate to break a run of five straight losses.

Going down to the Sharks 18-10 in their most recent match held in Coffs Harbour, the Titans will welcome back David Fifita from a knee injury sustained during Indigenous Round, along with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui backing up from Origin II.

Winning two of the three matches contested against the Knights since taking over as coach in 2020, Justin Holbrook will be hoping his team can claim their first win in Newcastle since 2016.

Last meeting: Round 24 2021 - Knights 15 Titans 14

Who to watch: Standing up in a forward pack that has regularly been outmuscled this season, veteran front-rower David Klemmer will by vying to experience victory in front of the Newcastle faithful for the first time in almost a year. Missing the side's Round 2 win over the Tigers through injury, the 28-year-old has averaged 144 metres to rank inside the top ten forwards for metres gained during the first half of the year. Still chasing his first try for the club after making the shift from Canterbury at the end of 2018, the Knights will be banking on a strong showing from Klemmer to claim two vital premiership points.

Unable to cement a regular position as a result of the side's substandard form, star playmaker AJ Brimson will be aiming to get the Titans back in the winner's circle and press his representative claims. Spending the bulk of 2022 in the halves before reverting to the number one jersey prior to the representative weekend, the 23-year-old has been the side's primary attacking threat with ten try assists and 32 tackle breaks. Overlooked for selection by Queensland coach Billy Slater during the first two matches of the series, a strong showing on Friday night could see Brimson come into calculations for a Game III recall should Kalyn Ponga's concussion create a vacancy in the Maroon's backline.

The favourite: Beginning the week as favourites, despite boasting their worst run of losses on home soil since 2018, the Knights have drifted out to an even-money bet following the withdrawal of Kalyn Ponga.

My tip: Newcastle must win on Friday evening to have any chance of playing finals football (and to avoid the danger of falling into serious contention for the wooden spoon). Knights by 6.

1. Tex Hoy 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Adam Clune 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 22. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann 10. Jacob Saifiti 14. Simi Sasagi 15. Leo Thompson 16. Mathew Croker 19. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

1. AJ Brimson 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Paul Turner 7. Toby Sexton 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Erin Clark 10. Isaac Liu 11. Sam McIntyre 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Tanah Boyd 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. David Fifita 19. Herman Ese'ese 18. Corey Thompson

Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;