Newcastle play their first home game of the season but will be missing several key players against the Dolphins.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Dolphins
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Date: Friday March 17, 6pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Johns 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Enari Tuala 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Ben Talty 22. Thomas Cant
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Mason Teague 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings
Referee: Chris Butler
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Newcastle Knights will be looking to inflict the first defeat on the new Dolphins franchise when they meet on Friday night at McDonald Jones Stadium.
But the Knights will be heavily decimated without Kalyn Ponga (concussion), Jayden Brailey (concussion), Tyson Frizell (ankle) and Jacob Saifiti (suspension). It appears an uphill battle for head coach Adam O’Brien to break a five-game losing streak at home.
They will need to channel the same spirit they did last week if they are to win their second game for the season.
There was plenty of effort in Tyson Gamble’s game as a replacement five-eight that helped secure victory over the Tigers. His partnership with Jackson Hastings in the halves will be key in giving the Knights direction and hopefully a fair bit of ball to their star winger, Dominic Young who has picked up from where he left off at the World Cup by scoring a double last weekend.
The Dolphins will be full of confidence looking to remain in the top four through three rounds. Jeremy Marshall-King is the only change after he was suspended following his side’s victory over the Raiders last weekend. His absence allows Kodi Nikorima to debut for the club, having made 160 appearances for the Broncos, Warriors and Rabbitohs previously.
What’s been impressive about the Dolphins how quickly they’ve been able to form a winning team with a mix of experienced forwards, the stability of Sean O’Sullivan and the freedom that Wayne Bennett has allowed rookie five-eight Isaiya Katoa to play his natural game.
However, this game represents a new challenge for the Dolphins as they prepare for their first away game. Will Bennett’s men travel as well on the road as they have in their opening matches at Suncorp Stadium and Kayo Stadium in Brisbane?
They deserve to be favourites given their unbeaten record and with the Knights missing key personnel.
LAST TEN MATCHES
First meeting.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dolphins by 10 points.
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