Check out the match preview and prediction for the Magic Round clash between the Titans and the Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Gold Coast Titans Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Saturday May 18, 3pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Chris Randall 7. Sam Verrills 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Erin Clark 10. Jaimin Jolliffe 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Keenan Palasia 15. Isaac Liu 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Joe Stimson 18. Thomas Weaver 19. Tony Francis 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 22. Jaylan De Groot
Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Kai Pearce-Paul 16. Brodie Jones 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Krystian Mapapalangi 21. Thomas Cant 22. Fletcher Sharpe
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Day two of Magic Round festivities kicks off with the Titans “hosting” the Knights at Suncorp Stadium. Both sides showed grit and determination to hold out their fast-finishing opponents in their last starts. While the Titans have been much improved over the last month of football, this matchup shapes as their biggest test of their newfound resolve. The Knights have shown plenty of resolve themselves, having won three from three since most pundits wrote them off after losing superstar Kalyn Ponga back in round seven.
The Titans have been hit with a raft of injuries, with Phil Sami, Kieran Foran and AJ Brimson all set to miss some time after their hard-fought victory against the Cowboys. It’s all hands on deck for the home side with the makeshift halves pairing of Sam Verrills and Chris Randall which should see the Titans bring a very simple game plan into this one, playing very direct and through the middle. If their forwards can get on top of the Knights, it could be enough to see the home side get over the line.
The Knights face plenty of injury troubles of their own, losing Tyson Gamble to an ankle injury in a victory over the Tigers which brings premiership winner Jack Cogger into the starting side. Rampaging centre Bradman Best was a man on a mission against the Tigers, running for 235 metres, busting 11 tackles, setting up a try and scoring one of his own. If the Titans edge defence isn’t on song, Best could once again wreak havoc and leave any number of Titans defenders in his wake.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Magic Round Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions for Magic Round here.
Knights by 10
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