Friday first NRL Round 21 match is between Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos with the opening kick to commence at 7.35pm local time. The game is to be played at Hunter Stadium which see’s home team Newcastle Knights hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos.

WHERE AND WHEN: Hunter Stadium, 7.35pm

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Opening odds comparison:

Newcastle Knights	1.47	1.48	1.49	1.48	1.47	1.48
Brisbane Broncos	2.70	2.65	2.65	2.65	2.70	2.70

Preview:

The first match of round 21 is between the Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos, kicking off on Friday night, 7.35pm at Hunter Stadium. While the Knights will be favourites to take this one out, this looks like a close game and a great way to start the round. Brisbane are officially at desperation stage, and need to win here just to have a chance at the finals. The Knights are in a much better position for the beginning of August, although they will have to do without Willie Mason and Kade Snowden for this encounter.

Teams:

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen (capt), Tyrone Roberts, David Fa’alogo, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Craig Gower, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, Korbin Sims (one to be omitted).

Brisbane Broncos:
Josh Hoffman, Corey Oates, David Stagg, Justin Hodges, Lachlan Maranta, Scott Prince, Ben Hunt, Mitchell Dodds, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday (capt), Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Peter Wallace, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Nick Slyney.

Reed in, Hannant chance for Broncos

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin has welcomed back English international centre Jack Reed from injury weeks ahead of schedule for their crunch NRL clash in Newcastle on Friday night.

But the jury is still out on ex-Test prop Ben Hannant.

Griffin was initially forced to name his seventh left centre of the season – David Stagg – for the must-win Knights showdown after Alex Glenn broke his thumb in last round’s last gasp triumph over North Queensland.

However, the cavalry is starting to return for the Broncos who must keep winning to remain a finals chance.

Reed will be rushed back into the side after making a faster than expected recovery from a fractured collarbone.

He suffered the shoulder injury against Melbourne on July 5 and was expected to miss up to six weeks.

“Reedy looks okay. He’s a real tough player, he’s the type of player you want in your side every week,” Griffin said.

“He’s just one of those guys who loves the battle.”

Reed got the green light from Griffin on Thursday after completing training with another injury concern Hannant.

Griffin said Hannant was a chance of starting on Friday night on the bench but would wait to see how he pulled up from Thursday training.

“If he got through today and the medical people say he’s right we will put him out there,” he said.

“But we’ve got to be careful. With calf injuries you think it is right and he has for a couple of weeks and then they are not.”

Hannant has been frustrated throughout the season by the calf complaint.