Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
PREVIEW: Women's State of Origin III
92 mins ago | Kelly Hollis
Knights v Bulldogs preview
A sharp Knights team ready for a hungry Bulldogs pack
Canterbury travel north to face the Newcastle Knights as two in-form teams look ready to stake their claim for a top eight spot. It was only Round 7 of this year when the teams met last, and Newcastle will be looking to make amends for the 36 - 12 defeat at Accor.
A vastly different backline will be fronting for the Knights this round, with the notable absence from this game being Kalyn Ponga. Even without the star power of Ponga, the Knights will pleased that they are on a four-game winning streak without the need of him on the field.
Bradman Best will be rested due to a hamstring injury, and tough half Tyson Gamble is out with a foot injury. Best's absence sees Krystian Mapapalangi join the team and Jack Cogger is in the halves for Gamble. Daniel Saifiti will make a welcome return from suspension and will come on from the bench.
The Knights have had a lengthy break off the back of a bye and will be keen to look for a fifth consecutive win for the McDonald Jones Stadium faithful. In the Knights' last outing in Round 11, they showed resilience with a great second-half comeback to beat the Gold Coast Titans 28-24 at Suncorp during Magic Round.
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said it was some ill-discipline that let the game get away from them, but was happy how his team regrouped for the second half. He's been happy with his team grinding out the close victories, and we could be looking at a 2023-style return to form, which saw them put ten wins in a row at the backend of last season.
Canterbury had quite the flex last round with a dominating performance over St George Illawarra, sealing their first five-game winning streak at Accor Stadium since 2016 with an empathic 44-12 deconstruction of the Dragons.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo knew the loss in Magic round to the Raiders would be a catalyst for a bounce back, and the team clicked, something he says has been building.
Viliame Kikau is out with a finger issue for up to six weeks, with Jacob Preston moving into the second row and Kurt Mann into the lock position. Due to Origin's commitments, the Canterbury backline will be without stars Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton. Jacob Kiraz will move into centre, with Blake Wilson coming onto the wing; Wilson is a solid performer and has finished two tries out of his three games earlier in the year with the Bulldogs. The combination in the halves will be Toby Sexton and Drew Hutchinson.
Last meeting: Round 7 2024 - Bulldogs 36 Knights 12
Who to watch: The Knights have given us yet another rising star in full-back David Armstrong, scoring five tries in his last four games. It is his willingness to put himself into game that has impressed O'Brien, who believes it also lifts the team as a whole in attack.
Greg Marzhew enjoys a day out at the home ground, scoring 16 tries from the last 15 at McDonald Jones. With his 250 meters from the last game, the nuggety winger will be one to watch as he takes the line on and has the likes of Armstrong sniffing around for any opportunity he may create.
The battle in the middle between Jayden Brailey and Reed Mahoney will be good to see. Both hookers are workhorses in defence and can be pests to the tired forwards. Mahoney being a pest more than most, may be good to see if the fire between himself and Jack Hetherington has simmered down.
Josh Curran will be coming off the bench, but even with his 40 minutes of play last round, he managed 19 runs for 170 meters. Curran seems to be relishing the role Ciraldo has him playing in the middle and edges, and his form is sure to get attention from the Knights forward pack.
Jacob Kiraz has been quite the quiet achiever in his roles for the Bulldogs. Being able to shift from wing to centre, his speed in running the ball back will generally draw a number of defenders. Kiraz runs hard and fast, and this is the same ethos as Connor Tracy. Watch for this stinging attack from the Doggie's backs to play a role in their game.
Favourite: With some of the star power on the Bulldogs' side going to Origin commitments, a home game, and a winning streak, the Knights are edging the Doggies out for this one.
My tip: The Bulldogs have a good record against the Knights at home, with seven of their last 9 games going their way. They are the second-best defensive team so far, and with the big bone of the top eight dangling in front of them, I can see this team's energy being too much but only just.
1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Mathew Croker
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward 13. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 19. Lipoi Hopoi 22. Harry Hayes
Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Kasey Badger, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;