Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 13 clash between the Knights and the Bulldogs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Date: Friday May 31, 8pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. David Armstrong 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Krystian Mapapalangi 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Kai Pearce-Paul 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Mathew Croker 20. Will Pryce 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Fletcher Sharpe
Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Drew Hutchison 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Poasa Faamausili 19. Lipoi Hopoi 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Harry Hayes 23. Jeral Skelton
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Newcastle Knights have already gone head-to-head with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs once this year back in round 7 and now get the chance to balance the ledger in their second match-up of the season.
The Bulldogs come into this clash missing their captain Stephen Crichton, as well as five-eighth Matt Burton due to Origin duty, while the Knights have no players missing for Origin.
This match-up shapes as a far cry from what we usually expect from these sides. Most fans would expect a fairly open game with lots of points on offer, however the Bulldogs have conceded the second fewest points in the competition this year at just 191, with the Knights not far behind them – having conceded just 209 points.
The Knights have been in stellar form since they last faced the Bulldogs, having won four from four since that 36-12 loss. That loss may have been the last time they fielded a fit Kalyn Ponga but the side haven’t missed a step since bringing in young fullback David Armstrong as his replacement. The fullback has scored five tries in his four games including a hat-trick in their last start against the Titans and he continues to impress with his support play and strong running game.
Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr has had a quiet season by his lofty standards which has culminated in his omission from the Blues line-up. The speedster will be hurting from being left out of Origin game one and Dogs fans will be hoping he uses this as motivation to return to his try scoring best and make the most of the opportunities he gets playing alongside his new centre partner, the tackle-busting Jacob Kiraz.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Knights by 4 points.
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