Knights v Dragons preview

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Newcastle Knights (W) v St George Illawarra Dragons (W) Sunday 6:10pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

McDonald Jones Stadium will be the battlefield for this Sunday's clash as defending premiers aim to defend the kingdom against the St. George-Illawarra Dragons. The last two meetings between the club have all gone the way of the Knights, with the defending premiers undefeated this season while the Dragons are still trying to find a win.

The undefeated Knights came close to losing that mantle last week against the Raiders 26-20. The close win allows the Knights to keep the records coming in the NRLW, making it 11 straight wins. Coach Ben Jeffries says this is making his team hunted in the competition but says the girls will be more than ready for the Dragons come Sunday, alluding that the Knights may want to make a win in this round definitive. Jeffries also said that the polish they are looking for will come with some more patients in attack and completing the sets Although a tight game, the Knights were dominant in the forwards, which was led by their captain Hannah Southwell.  With no injuries, the Knights team has been rewarded without any changes leading into Sunday.

The Dragons are yet to find any spark in their season after going down in a tight game to the North Queensland Cowboys 38-34 in Townsville last round. Coach Jamie Soward was rather tight-lipped after the game, saying that it was only the playing group who would be able to turn things around on the field. In a game that got away from them, Captian Raecene McGregor said they make it hard for themselves by playing catch-up football. The Dragons showed they can stay in touch but will need to look at getting the missed tackles down if they don't want to be playing catch-up footy. Soward highlighted the game of Kasey Reh, who has been elevated to hooker on the run-on side to take on the Knights this round. The Dragons have also had to make a few changes due to injuries, with Margot Vella out with a foot problem replaced by Leio Fotu-Mola, and Sara Sautia is also out with a foot injury.

Last meeting: Round 1 2023 - Knights 32 Dragons 16

Who to watch: Hannah Southwell led the charge of her forwards last week and will no doubt rally the troops through her on-field actions. Tamika Upton will always be dangerous and the Dragons will look to plug any holes in defence the quick-footed full-back will likely expose. New Zealand Rugby Sevens star Tenika Willison has been named to the extended bench, and hopefully, she will get a run hot off a gold medal performance in the Paris Olympics.

The Dragons are clearly looking to turn things around and they will do well to look to be strong in the middle. Angelina Tearkaraanga-Katoa, Shenai Lendill and Alexis Tauaneai were all strong players last week, and if they can produce again, it will go a long way to them staying competitive in the game. Tyla King, a teammate of Tenika Willison has been named on their extended bench, another hopeful entry into Sunday's game and one to watch if she is.

MY TIP: The Dragons will come to fight, but with a leaky defence going up against an undefeated home team, it may be a bridge too far. Knights by 12. Knights by 12.

1. Tamika Upton 2. Sheridan Gallagher 3. Shanice Parker 4. Abigail Roache 5. Lilly-Ann White 6. Georgia Roche 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Laishon Albert-Jones 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Nita Maynard 15. Kayla Romaniuk 16. Rima Butler 17. Isabella Waterman 18. Jacinta Carter 19. Viena Tinao 20. Grace Kukutai 21. Jules Kirkpatrick 22. Tenika Willison

1. Teagan Berry 2. Maatuleio Fotu-moala 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Kimberley Hunt 6. Zali Hopkins 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Kasey Reh 10. Jamilee Bright 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Charlotte Basham 13. Alexis Tauaneai 14. Sophie Clancy 15. Madison Mulhall 16. Bronte Wilson 17. Steph Hancock 18. Ella Koster 19. Alice Gregory 20. Tayla Curtis 21. Tyla King 22. Kaarla Cowan

Referees: Luke Saldern; Sideline Officials: Bradley Kiehne, Ethan Klein; Video Referees: David Munro;