Tigers v Knights preview

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Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights Sunday 4:05pm at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal

The final game of Round 6 sees a fired up Wests Tigers coming up against the battered, but brilliant Newcastle Knights in an unexpected top four clash.

If, at the start of the season, you told the majority of fans that the Tigers and the Knights would be playing in a top four clash after five rounds, you would be laughed at - but funnier things have happened!

The Wests Tigers head to Campbelltown to host the rejuvenated Newcastle Knights and Justin Holbrook on Sunday afternoon. Both teams are coming off fantastic wins, and with fanbases firmly believing that this year could finally be THAT year, it looms as the clash of the round.

The Tigers were on the winning end of a golden point thriller against the Parramatta Eels at a packed out Commbank Stadium, with a Jock Madden penalty goal sealing a 22-20 win. The Tigers were on top for the final 55 minutes, sans the sin bin period of Luke Laulilii where the Eels tied the game up at 18-18.

Goal kicking ended up being the winning point for the Tigers, with Jock Madden kicking 5/5, while the Eels collectively kicked 2/5. A continuation of that against the Knights will set the Tigers up for success as they come into a pretty tough four week run.

The Newcastle Knights were just too good for the reigning minor premiers, running away 32-12 winners on Sunday against the Canberra Raiders. Three tries either side of halftime was enough to seal the deal for the Knights, who look as good as ever under new coach Justin Holbrook.

The forever injured spine of the Knights, who are missing Kalyn Ponga and have an injured Fletcher Sharpe hobbling around, are breaking teams down and picking them apart from all over the field. Fletcher Hunt has been a revelation at fullback in place of Ponga, while the forwards are continuing to burrow through plenty of work early doors to set up the teams success.

It bodes to be an attacking thriller under the golden afternoon sun on Sunday afternoon, with a solidified place in the top four up for grabs.

The Tigers make only one change with the suspension of Luke Laulilii, as the powerful Jeral Skelton returns to the wing. Patrick Herbert comes onto the bench to fill the empty spot left by Skelton.

The Knights also made just the one change, with Bradman Best succumbing to a groin injury. Wilson De Courcey retains the centre role, having made his debut last week off the bench to cover Best - Cody Hopwood jumping to cover the final bench spot.

Last meeting: Round 6 2025 - Knights 4 Wests Tigers 20

Who to watch: He may be hurt, but Fletcher Sharpe is the king of being in the right spot at the right time. He scored off a miscommunication last week against the Raiders, and his ability to pop up in second-phase play will cause problems against a Tigers side who is susceptible to conceding in broken play. Sandon Smith will be the benefactor here, with the attention on Sharpe - Smith's short kicking game and dynamic running caused major issues for the Raiders last week.

Adam Doueihi is quickly becoming a top three halfback in the competition. A running game that rivals any half in the comp, with a good kicking game and the ability to play both sides of the field, he was lights out against the Eels on Monday. A try to go with nearly 150 running metres, Doueihi will look to run hard against the Knights fatiguing forward pack in the second half. It would be of no surprise if he scores this weekend.

Favourite: Home ground advantage hands the Knights the advantage with the punters here.

MY TIP: You can flip a coin here, with arguments to be made for both sides taking the win! Sometimes, you just have to go with the gut… and the gut says the Tigers will be slayed by the Knights. Newcastle by 4.

1. Jahream Bula 4. Heamasi Makasini 3. Sunia Turuva 19. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Tristan Hope 21. Tony Sukkar

1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Wilson De Courcey 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Thomas Cant 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Cody Hopwood

Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Daniel Luttringer, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;