Can the Bulldogs repeat their 2020 efforts at McDonald Jones Stadium against the Knights? Matt Attard takes a look at this first round clash.
Embed from Getty ImagesTEAM NEWS
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Date: 11/3, Time: 6pm (local)
Knights Team
- Tex Hoy
- Starford Toโa
- Enari Tuala
- Bradman Best
- Gehamat Shibasaki
- Kurt Mann
- Mitchell Pearce
- David Klemmer
- Jayden Brailey
- Daniel Saifiti
- Tyson Frizell
- Mitchell Barnett
- Connor Watson
- Sauaso Sue
- Jacob Saifiti
- Josh King
- Brodie Jones
- Hymel Hunt
- Pasami Saulo
- Jack Johns
- Simi Sasagi
Team Changes
IN: n/a
OUT: n/a
Bulldogs Team
- Corey Allan
- Nick Meaney
- Will Hopoate
- Nick Cotric
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Jake Averillo
- Kyle Flanagan
- Ofahiki Ogden
- Sione Katoa
- Jack Hetherington
- Adam Elliott
- Corey Waddell
- Josh Jackson
- Bradley Deitz
- Renouf Atoni
- Raymond Faitala-Mariner
- Dylan Napa
- Tuipulotu Katoa
- Chris Smith
- Brandon Wakeham
- Ava Seumanufagai
Team Changes
IN: n/a
OUT: n/a
Referee: Ben Cummins
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Knights
Embed from Getty ImagesNewcastle will begin their season without superstar Kalyn Ponga, workhorse back rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, winger Edrick Lee and veteran five-eighth Blake Green.
Coupled with the off-season dramas surrounding Mitchell Pearce you could expect a neglectful Knights faithful, but thereโs no doubt McDonald Jones Stadium will be packed to cheer on their team.
Thereโs a lot to be said about a side with their backs against the wall but it would be in the Bulldogs best interest not to discount a side that still includes Pearce, Bradman Best, David Klemmer, new signing Tyson Frizell and the Saifiti brothers.
2021 Knights Season Preview
Bulldogs
Embed from Getty ImagesNew year, new Bulldogs. Trent Barrett has named almost all of the clubโs new recruits, with Queensland Origin fullback Corey Allen in the number one. Nick Cotric will start in the centres and Kyle Flanagan in the number seven, not to mention Jack Hetherington pipping Dylan Napa for a starting spot in the absence of the suspended Luke Thompson.
The big shock is former school teacher and hooking understudy to Damien Cook – Bradley Deitz. He has scored a spot on the bench with Jeremy Marshall-King failing to overcome an injury. His trial form was superb and at 26 years old could be the attacking spark the Bulldogs have missed out of dummy half for so long.
2021 Bulldogs Season Preview
PREVIEW
Trial form is rarely anything to go by, but the Bulldogs fielded a strong side for 60 minutes in their only trial against the Sharks and looked to retain the passion and heart that was so commendable in a horror 2020.
While all of their new signings and style of play will no doubt lift them off the bottom of the ladder, fans need to remember that things will take time. Theyโre still a young side with plenty to work on and it may take some time before they cement solid combinations and score their first win of the season. Or, they could come out of the blocks buoyed by their new crew.
For the Knights, it would be foolish for anyone to write them off simply because of a raft of injuries. Ponga, Lee and Fitzgibbon are big losses but they still have a formidable forward pack, experience and spark where it counts.
Theyโve flown under the radar compared to the Bulldogs, they play from home and theyโre not settled after issues surrounding their now re-signed halfback and former captain.
KEY STAT
The Bulldogs won the only scrap between the clubs in 2020, a wet and miserable 18-12 victory – a score line that flattered the Knights. In 2019, the Bulldogs also won by a six point margin, after a Magic Round win by Newcastle. The visitors don’t mind facing the Knights, especially away from home. In fact, Newcastle haven’t beaten the Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2013 – almost eight years ago.
PREDICTION
This will be a bit of a tester for the Bulldogs, who played only one trial match and have a few players carrying injuries into the contest. The Knights seem that bit more settled despite a big trial loss to the Storm and a few injuries.
Bulldogs by 10.
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