McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 15 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 4:05 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: Sunday June 16, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Preview
Newcastle is endeavouring to stay in touch with the Top 8 after back-to-back losses, but a visit from the premiers has them installed as $3.90 home underdogs.
The Knights won four straight before the Round 12 bye but hit the skids with a dreadful 32-2 defeat to the Bulldogs at home. There was some improvement last Sunday in a 36-28 loss in Melbourne, but conceding three tries in 12 minutes midway through the second half put paid to their upset bid.
Bradman Best returns from injury in time to audition for Origin II, while Fletcher Sharpe keeps the fullback spot ahead of David Armstrong. Daniel Saifiti is again named on the bench after pulling out last week.
Forging on with Nathan Cleary in the casualty ward, the Panthers bounced back from an Origin-depleted 22-10 loss to the Dragons with a solid 32-22 victory against Manly. Brian Too bagged a first-half hat-trick before the Panthers dominated the majority of the second stanza.
Dylan Edwards is set to return from the quad injury that nixed his Origin debut. Liam Martin is in the reserves and could come back into the side in a late change.
The Knights have won just one of their last 14 against the Panthers, though the premiers needed some Nathan Cleary heroics to get home in Newcastle 16-15 in Round 7 last year while the Round 17 clash at Penrith was a hard-fought 20-12 result.
Jarome Luai and Edwards are looking to lock down Blues jerseys and will lead the way against a Knights side lacking a bit of direction and authority in key positions after an initial post-Ponga-injury spike.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Tip
We're tipping Penrith Panthers to win at $1.26 odds.
Newcastle Knights vs Penrith Panthers Teams
Knights team: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Dylan Lucas 17. Brodie Jones 18. Jack Hetherington 19. Mathew Croker 20. Will Pryce 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. David Armstrong
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth 18. Luke Sommerton 19. Mavrik Geyer 20. Liam Martin 21. Brad Schneider 22. Jesse McLean
