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Match Preview

Knights v Dragons: Clydsdale, Johnston named; Soward to debut five

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Defending premiers Newcastle open their 2023 NRLW campaign against St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to make an immediate statement.

The Knights knocked the Dragons out of the grand final race in 2022 with a thumping 30-6 win in the semi-finals to advance to the decider. 

To highlight the amount of changeover for both sides in the off-season, only 14 players remain with their team - 10 from the Knights and four from the Dragons - as the expanded competition takes it toll on already established clubs. 

Dragons coach Jamie Soward has lost a wealth of representative experience to rival clubs and will be heavily reliant on Dally M winner Raecene McGregor to guide the Dragons around the paddock, along with rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong. 

For Newcastle, the nucleus of their premiership-winning team remains but they'll need to fill the gap left by Millie Boyle in the middle with the Roosters-bound forward a key departure. 

Team news

Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes and will roll out nine players who tasted premiership success last year led by Karyn Murphy Medal winner Tamika Upton, who captains the side with Hannah Southwell (knee) not ready for a return. Coach Ron Griffiths has opted for Caitlin Moran to partner Jesse Southwell in the halves, giving long-term English prospect Georgia Roche another week of training after only arriving to Australia less than a fortnight ago. There are three players set for NRLW debuts - Kiwi Ferns pair Laishon Albert-Jones and Abigail Roache, along with former Young Matildas captain Sheridan Gallagher, who will start on the wing.

Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Jamie Soward will blood five debutants in Round 1 including Rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong, who will partner Raecene McGregor in the halves. Rookie winger Shenai Lendill and young gun Alexis Tauaneai will also start with Ella Koster and Jamilee Bright to come off the bench. Only five players are back from Soward's 2022 campaign with Teagan Berry to start at fullback for the first time in her NRLW career. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Taylor Mapusua
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi Law
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin Strange
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Shenai Lendill
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Caitlin Moran
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla King
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa 
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee Targett
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Rima Butler
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Tara   McGrath-West
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Caitlan Johnston-Green
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Sara Sautia
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Roxy Murdoch
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Laishon Albert-Jones
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ella Koster
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simone Karpani
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jamilee Bright
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Viena Tinao
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Maddison Weatherall 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 18 Tiana Davison
    Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Kaarla Cowan

Match Officials

  • Referee: Darian Furner
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Newcastle scored a total 60 points in two victories over the Dragons in 2022.
  • Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored four tries in three games against the Knights.
  • The average winning margin between both these clubs is 27.3. 
  • The Dragons have only five players returning from their 2022 campaign.
  • Knights fullback Tamika Upton is the NRLW's all-time leading try-scorer with 12 tries in 16 games.

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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.