Knights v Storm preview

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm Saturday 3:00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Super Saturday starts in the basking sun at McDonald Jones Stadium as the Newcastle Knights look to stay in touch with the eight as they take on the Melbourne Storm.

The Newcastle Knights are looking down the barrel of yet another disappointing season after a tight 22-18 loss against the ladder-leading Canberra Raiders in Round 16. 

Adam O'Brien's men are so close, yet so far away from the top eight and have been absolutely decimated by injury to compound a frustrating season in the Hunter. With no Fletcher Sharpe for the rest of the season, captain Kalyn Ponga now joins the sideline after surgery on his foot ended his campaign. 

It's been a season of what ifs so far, with the Knights losing six games by less than a converted try, despite the constant halves changes, blooding of debutants in the forward pack and senior leaders going down with the injury bug. 

It gets no easier against a Melbourne Storm side this week who haven't lost in nearly two months, and with the possibility of Melbourne being as close to full-strength as they have been in a while. 

The Storm have started their run into the finals early, and yet are undefeated since their third bye in Round 15. Losing their Origin stars last week and Ryan Papenhuyzen pre-game to a busted calf,, the Storm were able to hold off a fired up Cowboys outfit in Townsville to record their 11th win of the season. 

Eli Katoa and Jahrome Hughes were once again at their best, while Nick Meaney showed his versatility after the late withdrawal of Papenhuyzen as Craig Bellamy's men showed why they are always at the pointy end of the ladder. With the majority of their best line-up either coming back from injury or on representative duties, the Storm just have to get through this week before they fully turn their attention to the run home and securing a home final yet again.

The Knights are once again hit by the injury bug, with star fullback Kalyn Ponga out for the season. That sees Fletcher Hunt come into the side at fullback, while Greg Marzhew returns at the expense of James Schiller. Leo Thompson returns from suspension, which sees a shuffled forward pack in lieu with Tyson Frizell heading to lock, Phoenix Crossland moving to hooker and Jayden Brailey sitting on the pine to start. 

The Melbourne Storm have taken a safe approach to this week's team list, with all Origin stars bar Stefano Utoikamanu (interchange) named in the reserves on Tuesday - so 3pm on Friday becomes oh-so important for Storm fans and Supercoach players alike. Ryan Papenhuyzen returns to the starting line up after being a late change last week, while Alec MacDonald misses the game with a rib injury. Jack Howarth is 18th man after recovering from appendicitis, but may return at the expense of Joe Chan. 

Last meeting: Round 14 2024 - Storm 36 Knights 28

Who to watch: Fletcher Hunt has had a slow start to 2025, only playing in a handful of games in the NRL but he started to show some brilliance against Manly and the Roosters in his last two appearances. Having played mainly on the edge in 2025 at NRL level, Hunt has played every position in the backline for the Knights NSW Cup side, scoring six tries in ten appearances. He will have his toughest test to date against the Storm but has speed for days and can blast through a line if given an inch of space.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona could very easily break the game apart within the first ten minutes if given the chance. Named to start while Trent Loiero is in the reserves, big Nelson has the ability to just put a ton of hurt on a Newcastle forward pack that has struggled through the middle in 2025. Used sparingly in 2025 (only two games with 40+ minutes played), Asofa-Solomona still averages over 100 metres run and just under five tackle busts a game. If he can replicate those numbers in one solid stint to open up on Saturday, it paves the way for the Melbourne spine to pick apart the Knights defensive issues. 

Favourite: Melbourne, obviously.

My tip: Newcastle are more hot and cold than Katy Perry sans 2008, while the Melbourne Storm have been quietly sliding up to second on the ladder at the expense of the Warriors and Bulldogs. Even on the chance that all of Melbourne's stars sit out after State of Origin, the system set in place will cause issues for a Newcastle side that can either score or concede 40 in about as many minutes. No Munster? Wishart steps up. Harry Grant? No worries, here's Bronson Garlick. Loiero having a rest? Here's a 200cm Nelson Asofa Solomona. Newcastle don't match that… they can't match that and they won't be able to keep up on Saturday.. Melbourne by 12.

1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 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. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant

4. Nick Meaney 2. Grant Anderson 3. Joe Chan 18. Jack Howarth 22. Kane Bradley 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 21. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 15. Stefano Utoikamanu 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 15. Jonah Pezet 17. Ativalu Lisati 19. Trent Loiero 9. Bronson Garlick

Referees: Todd Smith; Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Drew Oultram; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;