Wests Tigers v Knights preview

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Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights Saturday 3:00pm at Scully Park, Tamworth / Kamilaroi

Resurgent Knights take on dwindling Tigers

The Wests Tigers started their 2024 campaign having won back-to-back wooden spoons. Expectations weren't high, but hopes were, given the immense volume of positive changes in the club. A somewhat typical effort in their first game of the season against Canberra saw them lose 32-12, but the Tigers showed something rarely seen by the club in the weeks following - defensive grit. They belted the current top of the table Sharks 32-6 and then hung on to record a 1 point win over the Eels to move into the top 8.

But things started to slip from there. A 10 point loss to the Dolphins was followed by losses to the Dragons (by 12), Penrith (by 16), Brisbane (by 24) and last weekend against the Bulldogs (by 8). Their defence hasn't gone full-2023 mode, but some of the effort plays that the besieged the club in recent season have started to creep back into their game. Meanwhile the Tigers attack is very good at getting out of their own end, but quite the opposite when it comes to putting on the points. They've surpassed 18 points just once this season - against the Sharks.

The Knights have been inconsistent to start the year but look to finally be settling down, but are far from looking polished. Back-to-back losses to start the year against Canberra and the Cowboys was followed by an impressive 14-12 victory against the Storm. A loss to the Warriors followed, then a 20 point win over the Dragons before dropping back-to-back games against the Roosters and Bulldogs. They've won their last 2 games in less than convincing fashion against the Dolphins (18-14) and the Warriors las weekend (14-8)

Their attack at times looks like it'll break open any side, and other times it looks pedestrian. Similar can be said for their defence and 2024 has shown us that if the Knights turn up defensively strong, they will win. 

For the Tigers, they are missing their halfback Aidan Sezer, who looks to be joining Adam Doueihi on the sideline  for potentially 2 months, while rookie playmaker Latu Fainu is also unavailable. Rookie five-eighth Lachie Galvin appears to be carrying a niggling injury to this game but hs been named to play. Starford To'a will return at centre against his former side, while Jayden Sullivan will slot in at halfback for Sezer, Koroisau returns at hooker, Brent Naden shifts from centre to wing, pushing Solomon Alaimalo to the extended bench, back-up rake Jake Simpkin is on the bench and Isaiah Papali'I will switch places with John Bateman, the latter shifting from Lock to second row.

The Knights will see their pack bolstered by the returns of Tyson Frizell, who will start in the back row, and Jacob Saifiti, who will be on the bench. Jack Cogger will move to the bench. Jack Hetherington and Jed Cartwright drop out of the 17 while Dylan Lucas will shift to the bench.

Last meeting: Round 20 2023 - Knights 34 Wests Tigers 18

Who to watch: For the Tigers Jayden Sullivan really has to stamp his authority on this game. He hasn't impressed yet and is only getting call-ups due to injuries and suspensions. With Sezer out for several weeks, the job is Sullivan's but he really needs to prove he deserves it.

The Knights will be sending plenty of ball to Kai Pearce-Paul and Tyson Frizell in an effort to isolate and dominate the Tigers edges. From there they can then capitalise the powerful ball running of centres Bradman Best and Dane Gagai.

Favourite: Hard to look past the Knights here. Both sides are down on strike attacking options, but the Tigers look to be worse off, especially given how poor their pack was last week. The Knights are big and mobile through the edges of the ruck and they'll be up against rookie Samuela Fainu and the slightly built and down-on-form John Bateman.

My tip:  The Knights are the sort of (at times) inconsistent sides that the Tigers will fancy themselves against, The Knights on their day will put a big score on this Tigers side, but if they have a bad day, the Tigers could pinch a valuable win. But in the end, the Knights should be too powerful. Knights by 10.

1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Starford To'a 4. Justin Olam 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Samuela Fainu 12. John Bateman 13. Isaiah Papali'i 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Fonua Pole 18. Tallyn Da Silva

1. David Armstrong 2. Greg Marzhew 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 16. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kai Pearce-Paul 14. Phoenix Crossland 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Jack Cogger

Referees: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Sideline Officials: Chris Sutton, Damian Brady; Video Referees: Peter Gough;

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