Knights v Titans preview

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

Season-defining clash for strugglers

The buoyant Newcastle Knights will look to regenerate their season against a Gold Coast Titans outfit in dire need of a win.

Returning home full of confidence after a breakthrough victory at Magic Round, the Newcastle Knights will be hoping to continue a dominant home record over their weekend opponents.

Coming off their best performance in attack and defence all season, coach Adam O'Brien has retained the same squad that defeated the Rabbitohs 30-4 last Saturday. 

The Knights have won 11 out of 15 matches against the Titans in Newcastle; the side has won the past six in a row, scoring at least 30 points in each of those victories.

Plummeting to second last on the ladder following five straight losses, the Gold Coast Titans will be desperate to save their season with a win on the road.

Suffering a 38-18 defeat at the hands of the ladder-leading Bulldogs last Sunday, coach Des Hasler has named Jayden Campbell to replace Tom Weaver (concussion) at halfback, while Jojo Fifita returns on the wing in place of Tony Francis.

Two of the Titans' best players will celebrate major milestones on Friday night with Moeaki Fotuaika becoming only the fifth man to appear in 150 games for the club and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui reaching his 100th first grade appearance.

The Titans last victory in Newcastle occurred in 2016, while coach Hasler has won eight out of 18 visits to McDonald Jones Stadium throughout his coaching career.

Last meeting: Round 3 2025 - Titans 26 Knights 6

Who to watch: Making a triumphant comeback after a month on the sidelines in Magic Round, Jacob Saifiti will be determined to produce a similar effort against the formidable Titans' pack. Running for over 200 metres upon return from a calf injury to put the Knights on the front foot from the opening whistle, the 29-year-old front-rower was at his destructive best with three tackle breaks and 81 post-contact metres. Coming up against a pack containing some of the premier middle forwards in the game, a strong performance from Saifiti will go a long way towards getting the Knights a win along with enhancing his own representative claims.

Returning to the scene of his first grade debut last season, Jaylan De Groot will be hoping for a better result on the scoreboard in his second visit to the Hunter. Coming into the Titans' line-up following a long-term injury to Keano Kini, the 22-year-old fullback has shown glimpses of potential with over 100 running metres on average this season. Forcing three line drop outs in last week's loss to the Bulldogs after taking on additional responsibility as a playmaker, the Titans will need De Groot to fire if they are to record their first win since Round 4.

Favourite: The Knights are expected to build on their efforts on the road last week with only their second home win of the season.

My tip: Having disappointed in their past two appearances at home, the Knights will be determined to back up the success of last week with a strong attacking performance. Knights by 14.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Adam Elliott 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy

1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 16. Arama Hau 17. Josiah Pahulu 18. Tony Francis 19. Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Referees: Belinda Sharpe; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;