McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 23 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Penrith Panthers game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday August 8, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Preview
The surging Penrith Panthers will aim for a ninth consecutive win when they take on the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday evening. Last week, the Panthers were forced to dig deep, surviving a dramatic 30-26 golden point thriller against the Titans after letting a commanding 24-0 lead slip away—ultimately rescued by Nathan Cleary’s reliable boot.
In a twist of fate, Penrith’s current streak began after a 25-6 defeat to Newcastle in Round 12—the Knights’ last victory. Since then, Adam O’Brien’s men have endured four straight losses, including a demoralising 44-18 defeat at the hands of Canberra in Round 20. They’ll take confidence from the return of strike centre Bradman Best and the debut of Jake Arthur at five-eighth, while the Panthers will be without the influential Isaah Yeo, with Isaiah Papali’i slotting into the middle.
Penrith enters as firm favourites, but with Newcastle fresh off a bye and having upset the Panthers earlier this year, an ambush can’t be ruled out.
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.28 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Brian To'o at $6.40.
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Knights team: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Thomas Cant 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Matthew Arthur
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Jack Cole 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton