KNIGHTS
It hasn’t been a good year for the Knights both on and off the field but one memory they will look back on fondly from 2014, will be their round 22 win over the Melbourne Storm.

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The Knigths were coming off a 40 point drumming at the hands of South Sydney and up against the Storm, who were looking for their fourth consecutive win, not many gave the Knights a chance.
With two minutes to go it looked like the game would finish to script but the Knights conjured two tries in the final two minutes, with Captain Kurt Gidley landing the goal from the side-lien for the second, to give the Knights an unexpected and spectacular 32 – 30 win.

It was the Knights’ fifth win from their past seven matches with the big loss to Souths and the unexpected loss to Gold Coast in the well publicised “Rise For Alex” round, taking the gloss of their recent efforts.

This week the Knights have named a stronger side again with Jarrod Mullen returning along with Origin forward Beau Scott.

The Knights have won three of their last four at home and with the end of a long season in their sights, they just might now be enjoying their footy for the first time this year.

WARRIORS
The Warriors struggled to a 16 – 12 win over the Sharks at Mt. Smart Stadium last week.

The absence of regular halfback and Warriors play-maker Shaun Johnson was telling as the Warriors struggled to shake a committed Sharks outfit.
Thankfully for Warriors fans, Johnson has been named to return this week and is one of several changes that includes Ben Henry to the centres for Konrad Hurrell and Thomas Leuluai in at Hooker with Nathan Friend to start from the bench.

The Warriors, whose only two losses since round 15 have been narrow losses to Manly and Brisbane, arguably games they both should have won, are involved in the traffic jam for eighth sport with four other sides.

With the Roosters (H) and Panthers (A) still to come, they need to make this game count and come away from Hunter Stadium with a win – something they’ve been able to do in three of their last four visits.

HEAD TO HEAD
The Knights struggle to get the better of the Warriors and can only boast four wins from their past seventeen clashes.

When the sides last met in round 12, the Warriors won 38 – 18.

The Knights field a strong side, come of a great win and have nothing to lose. The Warriors are going well enough be winning without Johnson, who returns for this game, and need to keep winning.

This might be close game than the current market suggests.

One interesting stat worth highlighting is that the team that has led at half-time in four of the past five matches, has been run down.

Teams:

Knights: Kurt Gidley, Chanel Mata’utia, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Korbin Sims, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa’alogo, Chris Houston

Ins: Jarrod Mullen, Beau Scott

Outs: Sione Mata’utia (jaw, indefinite)

Warriors: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitua, Ngani Laumape, Ben Henry, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Thomas Leuluai, Suaia Matagi, Ben Matulino, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering. Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Sam Rapira, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Dominique Peyroux

Ins: David Fusitua, Shaun Johnson, Jayson Bukuya, Dominique Peyroux

Outs: Tuimoala Lolohea (hamstring, round 24), Dane Nielsen (concussion, round 24)