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 red-hot Penrith Panthers will look to make it nine straight wins when they travel to face the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday evening. The Panthers narrowly escaped with a 30-26 golden point win over the Titans last week after squandering a 24-0 half-time lead, needing Nathan Cleary’s clutch boot to get them home.
Ironically, Penrith’s winning run began after a 25-6 loss to Newcastle in Round 12—the Knights’ most recent victory. Since then, Adam O’Brien’s side has slumped to four consecutive defeats, including a 44-18 hammering from Canberra in Round 20. Newcastle will be buoyed by the return of Bradman Best and the debut of Jake Arthur at five-eighth, while Penrith will be without Isaah Yeo, with Isaiah Papali’i stepping into the middle.
The Panthers remain favourites, but with Newcastle fresh from a bye and holding recent bragging rights, an upset isn’t out of the question.
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