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Knights v Bulldogs: Saifiti in, Bradman out; Thompson makes it back

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The Knights' five-game winning streak has carried them into the top eight and brought their finals hopes well and truly to life as they head into a must-win match against the Bulldogs.

The Knights came from behind to get the job done against the Dolphins in Perth and while coach Adam O'Brien knows his side wasn't at their best on Saturday, he took heart from their ability to orchestrate a gutsy second-half comeback.

The Knights have now won five of their past six to climb from 14th to eighth on the ladder - their only defeat coming at the hands of defending premiers Penrith in Round 17.

With matches against the Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons to come after, it will be vital Newcastle take advantage of their favourites tag and home advantage and get the job done against Cameron Ciraldo's side if they want to be taken seriously as premiership contenders.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs had a chance to recharge the batteries after their golden point victory in Bundaberg and will fancy their chances of a Round 24 upset with Viliame Kikau looking to make up for lost time in the back end of the season and new halves pairing Toby Sexton and Matt Burton showing promising signs for the future.

After being dominated but the Knights 66-0 just six weeks ago, the Bulldogs will be hoping to restore some pride with a second chance against Newcastle and prove to long-suffering fans that the future is bright in Belmore. 

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Team News 

Knights: Daniel Saifiti joins the bench an hour before kick off for his first game since suffering a quad injury in Round 21, shifting Brodie Jones to 18th man. Centre Bradman Best was ruled out for at least one match due to a groin concern. Prop Jacob Saifiti has been named despite suffering a hamstring injury against the Dolphins.

Bulldogs: A late change on game day sees Englishman Luke Thompson named to start at lock in his first NRL game of the season, with Harrison Edwards shifting to the bench. Ryan Sutton dropped out of the side on Saturday while Hayze Perham remains 18th man.  

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Jake Averillo
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Braidon Burns
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior 
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 15 Luke Thompson

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kyle Flanagan
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Liam Knight
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Corey Waddell
  • Interchange for Knights is number 22 Daniel Saifiti
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Harrison Edwards

Reserves

  • Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Hayze Perham
  • Reserve for Knights is number 15 Brodie Jones

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney is leading the competition in 40/20s with four for the season so far. 
  • Knights winger Dom Young needs one try to equal the club record for most tries in a season which is held by Timana Tahu and Akuila Uate with 21.
  • Knights winger Greg Marzhew leads the NRL for tackle breaks with 136 and has scored eight tries in his past eight games.
  • The Knights have won four of their past five games against the Bulldogs
  • The Bulldogs have won seven of their past eight games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
  • Bulldogs fullback Jake Averillo has scored four tries in his past three games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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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.