Knights v Dolphins preview

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Newcastle Knights v Dolphins Sunday 4:05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

After 26 rounds of home-and-away games, the Knights face off the Dolphins for the last match of Round 27 to determine who will make finals and who will slip into ninth place, and just miss out.

Defeating the Titans last week 36-14, the Knights brought their wins up to a total of eleven, sitting on equal points with the Dolphins, Raiders, and Dragons, sitting in ninth place. 

After missing last week's game, Tyson Frizell returns to the squad, meaning that Brodie Jones is pushed to the bench. Tyson Gamble is also good to go after missing two weeks due to a hand injury. Will Pryce and Thomas Cant are then forced to make way from the bench. 

The Dolphins climbed back into the top eight last weekend after a dominant win over Brisbane rivals, the Broncos, to convincingly win their first "Battle of Brisbane" and keep their finals hopes alight. 

Bennett has opted for Kodi Nikorima to return to the side after missing last week due to conclusion, meaning Isaiya Katoa drops out of the starting 17. Jesse Bromwich also returns, which forces Mark Nicholls back to the bench. Lachlan Hubner is 18th man, whilst Kenny Bromwich moves into the starting side at lock. Felise Kaufusi has also been named in the side, successfully appealing his charge at the judiciary. 

These two sides have met three times since the Dolphins inception into the competition, and the Knights have won their last two games (by four points or less), whilst the Dolphins only won their first matchup in Round 3 last year.

Last meeting: Round 8 2024 - Dolphins 14 Knights 18

Who to watch: Having missed Round 8 to Round 17 due to injury, since his return Kalyn Ponga has scored two tries whilst making three try assists, six linebreaks and 41 tackle breaks. Ponga is an important part of the Knight's success, and a dominant performance from him will help them more likely to get over the line.  

Being shifted from fullback to centre last week against the Broncos and staying in that position this week, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a force to be reckoned with. Scoring two tries last week from the centre position along with one try assists, adds to his total count of 14 tries and four try assists so far this season. 

FAVOURITE: Knights are minorly favoured to get the win and make the last-minute slide into the top eight. 

MY TIP: I think this one could go either way, which both teams playing for everything in a do-or-die game. The Dolphins are looking for their first finals campaign, whilst the Knights are looking for redemption after being knocked out by the Warriors in the second week of finals last year. After a strong performance against the Broncos, I think the Dolphins might just have the potential to get the job done, however it would require a strong 80-minute performance in enemy territory. Dolphins by 4.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant

1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Jake Averillo 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Ray Stone 17. Kodi Nikorima 20. Oryn Keeley

Referees: Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Gerard Sutton;