The Knights headed into last week’s match outsiders against the Eels who were coming off a big win over the Sea Eagles and out to secure their spot in the finals.
However, for not the first time in the past month, the Knights were again a thorn in the side of a top eight team as they handed the Eels a demoralising 42 – 12 defeat.
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It was the Knights third win in the past four matches, which have all been against teams in the top eight and all at Hunter Stadium.
With this weekend’s match being their traditional “Old Boys” round, we can expect another spirited performance from a side whose recent form belies their twelfth spot on the ladder.
Shining for the Knights have been the Mata’utia brothers on the each wing. The pair bagged a combined tally of five tries last week, taking their total to nine for the past four games.
Their efforts have contributed significantly to the Knights averaging a healthy 34 points in their past three games at home.
The Dragons hopes of making this year’s finals were dashed last week after paying a visit to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, losing 30 – 22.
The Dragons went down swinging however and at one stage in the second half, looked like they were going to pull off a remarkable win when they got back to within two points of the Broncos who had led by 20 points at the break.
After a slow start to the season, the introduction of new Coach Paul McGregor, who will be at the Dragons for the next three years, breathed new life into the club who have won six of their eleven games since round 15.
There’s plenty there for McGregor to work with next year as the Dragons this year had new halves, new centres and a relative young forward pack however, before they can worry about next season, they’ll have to concentrate on tackling a much more experienced forward pack this week.
Not helping their cause will be the absence of captain and front-rower Ben Creagh who is out with an ankle injury, his place being taken by Mike Cooper whilst Kyle Stanley will start at hooker for the suspended Mitch Rein.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Dragons have a dominant record over the Knights who have only been able to win one of their last seven clashes. Remarkably, the Knights haven’t defeated the Dragons at home since 2003!
The two sides have staged some big battles in the past few seasons with no more than eight points separating them in their past nine matches, the last six of which have produced a total match score of 38 points or less.
With both sides in solid form and although neither are a chance of making the finals, they’ll both be looking to finish the season on a bright note and should produce another tight clash but with the Knights celebrating a big weekend and in good form at home, combined with some key forwards out for the Dragons, the Knights should get the job done here.
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Newcastle Knights:
Kurt Gidley, Sione Mata’utia, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Chanel Mata’utia, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, David Fa’alogo, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Adam Cuthbertson. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Korbin Sims, Chris Houston, Timana Tahu
Ins: Travis Waddell
Outs: Tyler Randell (dropped)
Other unavailables: Alex McKinnon (neck, season), James McManus (foot, season), Darius Boyd (personal issues, season), Akuila Uate (knee, season), Jake Mamo (back, season), Jeremy Smith (ASADA ban, season), Kade Snowden (ASADA ban, season)
St George Illawarra Dragons:
Gerard Beale, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Peter Mata’utia, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Michael Cooper, Kyle Stanley, Tyson Frizell, Jack de Belin, Joel Thompson, Trent Merrin. Interchange: Shane Pumipi, Will Matthews, Bronson Harrison, Leeson Ah Mau
Ins: Bronson Harrison, Shane Pumipi
Outs: Ben Creagh (ankle, season), Mitch Rein (suspension, season)
Other unavailables: Dan Hunt (back, season), Michael Witt (knee, season), Dylan Farrell (pectoral, season)
