Both sides have made solid starts to the season with wins in two of their three matches but it's the Sharks go in as favourites based on home ground advantage and the sizzling form of new halfback Nicho Hynes.
The former Storm man looks like he's been playing No.7 all his life, coming up with 24 points, 21 line engagements, 10 tackle breaks and three try assists in the first three rounds, and his combination with Matt Moylan continues to build nicely.
Newcastle are also getting great input from their halves Jake Clifford and Adam Clune and if Kalyn Ponga can get back on the field this week their spine takes on a more potent look.
The Knights won both clashes against the Sharks last season so they'll head to PointsBet Stadium confident of putting in a good showing.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Sharks v Knights
The Rundown
Team news
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes.
Siosifa Talakai moves from second row to centre to replace Connor Tracey (groin). Teig Wilton returns from suspension in the second row. Aiden Tolman will come from the bench in his 300th NRL game. Ronaldo Mulitalo (head knock) returns on the wing.
There were no changes to the 17 in the 24-hour team update. Luke Metcalf is 18th man.
Knights: A late switch in the front row with Leo Thompson starting and Jacob Saifiti moving to the bench. Pasami Saulo is the last man cut and Simi Sasagi is 18th man.
Skipper Kalyn Ponga has again been named to return from a knee injury at fullback while Brodie Jones is the replacement for Mitch Barnett, who was handed a six-game ban at the judiciary on Tuesday night.
Sauaso Sue has been named on the bench after making a successful return from off-season shoulder surgery in NSW Cup last weekend.
There were no changes to the 17 in the 24-hour team update.
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 4 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake Clifford
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Aiden TolmanInterchange for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Cameron McInnesInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braydon TrindallInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jirah Momoisea
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Andrew FifitaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Sauaso Sue
Reserves
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Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Luke MetcalfReplacement for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jesse Ramien v Bradman Best: Two of the game's most dynamic and destructive centres collide in a classic match-up. Ramien ran for 117 metres, had two tackle breaks and scored a try against the Dragons while Best tallied 113 metres, four tackle breaks and a try on a tough afternoon for the Knights in Bathurst. At 24, Ramien is four years and 43 games Best's senior but the brash Newcastle man has shown he is up for any challenge and never takes a backward step.
Stat attack
The Knights boast a league leading completion rate of 81 per cent after three rounds while the Sharks rank 12th at 72 per cent.
