Saturday’s NRL 2018 Round 25 match is between Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening kick is set to commence at 15:00 local time with the game to be played at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle. The home team Newcastle Knights are the favourites for the match.
View our preview and teams for the game between Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons.
When: 15:00 | Saturday 01/09/2018
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Preview:
Old boys weekend for the Knights is always a tough game to play the home side in but without their star Kalyn Ponga involved and the finals the next game for the Dragons, I feel the Red V will be able to get the job done, although I do say that with a big frown on my face.
Their form last week was as bad as I’ve seen.
I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt that this game will be enough for them to react before the finals.
KEY BATTLE: Mitchell Pearce v Ben Hunt
The matchup needs to be between the two halves.
Hunt needs to silence his critics and if that’s to happen he needs to take on the pro!
Pearce only knows one way and that’s to perform.
The Verdict
Dragons to win.
St. George-Illawarra lead Newcastle 12-3 since 2010.
Unibet Odds:
Newcastle Knights at $2.20
St George Illawarra Dragons at $1.68
Odds:
Tip: Newcastle Knights at $2.08
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Ken Sio at $12.00
More Info:
Teams:
Newcastle Knights:
1. Nick Meaney 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata’utia 4. Cory Denniss 5. Shaun Kenny-dowall 6. Jack Cogger 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Herman Ese’ese 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Jamie Buhrer 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Aidan Guerra
Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Chris Heighington 17. Josh King 18. JJ Felise
Reserves: 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Brock Lamb
Players cut: 16. Jacob Lillyman 21. Luke Yates
St George Illawarra Dragons: 
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Zac Lomax 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Kurt Mann 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Jai Field 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Luciano Leilua
Reserves: 19. Patrick Herbert 20. Hame Sele
Players cut: 18. Reece Robson 21. Jacob Host
NRL News:
Cronulla have put a highly emotional week behind them with a scrappy 38-12 NRL win over Newcastle to keep their top four hopes alive.
The Sharks paid tribute to former back-rower Lance Thompson, who died on Thursday, with the club retiring his No.12 jersey for the day and Wade Graham wearing No.23.
Prop Andrew Fifita looked like a man on a mission to make a statement, creating havoc with every touch of the football after attracting a raft of criticism during the week.
He was twice hauled before club officials in the build-up after his on-field spray directed at the coach’s box last week, and his expletive-laden comments on a podcast directed at a journalist.
Fifita charged 188 metres from 20 carries and made 20 tackles.
His influence was all over Edrick Lee’s try to make it 14-6 at halftime when he got the Knights back peddling.
The game also marked the debut of Kyle Flanagan, the son of coach Shane Flanagan, who looked promising in his first game but left most of the playmaking duties to Chad Townsend.
The game was a scrappy affair with the Knights never giving themselves a chance after giving away 12 penalties.
Both side were also error-riddled, committing 13 mistakes apiece.
With Matt Moylan (leg) missing, Townsend stepped up to the plate, setting up three tries before scoring one himself in the 77th minute.
With five-eighth Kalyn Ponga (ankle) already out, the Knights were struck a blow when Connor Watson went off in the 49th minute.
However, they remained in the contest after Daniel Saifiti went over untouched under the posts to make it 18-12.
Just when the Knights looked like they were still in it, Valentine Holmes cut them up through the middle for a scintillating individual try.
In the process he became the first Shark ever to cross for 20 tries in a season- surpassing the mark he previously jointly held with David Peachey.
Holmes was brilliant, making a game-high 215 metres as he continued his growth in the No.1 jersey.
The result also ensured grand final hero Luke Lewis went out a winner in his final game at Shark Park.
