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Knights v Bulldogs: Clifford, Young return; TPJ starts

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pan66.com
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The Knights and Bulldogs sit on the same number of competition points but find themselves on vastly different trajectories with six rounds remaining.

Newcastle have lost five of their past six games and face the prospect of being without inspirational skipper Kalyn Ponga for an extended period after he suffered another concussion in the loss to the Roosters.

The Bulldogs are scoring tries and loving life, reviving 'The Entertainers' brand with 140 points in their past five matches and knocking off the Eels, Tigers and Titans along the way.

With Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr leading the charge the Bulldogs are well and truly on track to offload the wooden spoon they collected in 2021 and are building nicely for next season.

The Rundown

Team news

Knights: In a late change, Jake Clifford makes a return to the NRL, replacing Adam Clune at halfback. Edrick Lee was removed from the squad on Saturday afternoon and replaced by Simi Sasagi, who will start in the centres with Enari Tuala shifting to the wing. Dominic Young is set to return from a back/ribs injury on the other wing. Kurt Mann (leg) was also cut from the squad when it was trimmed 24 hours before kick off. Kalyn Ponga will miss the game due to concussion and is replaced by Tex Hoy at fullback, while Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) is also out. Brodie Jones joins the pack and Mat Croker is the new man on the bench. 

Bulldogs: Tevita Pangai Junior starts in the second row for Corey Waddell, who was found guilty of dangerous contact at the judiciary on Tuesday night and hit with a five-match ban. Jake Averillo (COVID protocols) returns in the No.1 jersey so Declan Casey goes to the reserves list. Rookie Harrison Edwards will make his NRL debut off the interchange. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo
  • Winger for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Aaron Schoupp
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Braidon Burns
  • Winger for Knights is number 21 Dominic Young
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Knights is number 20 Jake Clifford
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Paul Vaughan
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Jackson Topine
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 15 Tevita Pangai Junior 
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Brodie Jones
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Josh Jackson

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay  
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Joe Stimson
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Patolo
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 22 Harrison Edwards

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 23 Krystian Mapapalangi
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 20 Kurtis Morrin

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Darian Furner
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Key match-up

Anthony Milford v Matt Burton: He may be headed for the Dolphins in 2023 but Milford's mind is very much on the job in Newcastle as he looks to finish the season on a high. In eight games for the Knights he has produced nine forced dropouts and five try assists and his kicking game has come to the fore in recent weeks. On the back of his debut Origin series, Burton has returned to the Bulldogs full of confidence and ready to chance his hand whenever the opportunity presents. From his towering bombs to his astute passing game and elusive running, the Dogs No.6 has all bases covered and his reputation grows with each passing week.

Stat Attack

The Knights conceded 571 points in 24 matches last year on their way to finishing seventh in the competition. So far in 2022 they have already given up 498 points, the worst defensive record in the NRL.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.