As the Dolphins defied their own growing injury toll to win big over the Eels in Round 7, the Knights fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs which was made worse by the loss of their captain to a long-term injury.
Without a host of key players – and head coach Wayne Bennett who missed the trip to Darwin due to illness – the Dolphins shook off a slow start to blow Parramatta off the park, with their forward pack laying a commanding platform in a dominant showing.
It was a very different story for Newcastle two days later in Sydney, as they failed to match the energy and enthusiasm of the Bulldogs to lose their fifth game of the season.
Even more important than the missed two points was the loss of fullback Kalyn Ponga to a foot injury which will sideline him for months.
Last season the Dolphins beat the Knights in Newcastle, before Adam O’Brien’s men got the better of them in Perth later in the year.
The Knights have lost three of their past four games at Suncorp Stadium, while the Dolphins have lost two of their three games at the venue in 2024.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dolphins v Knights
Team News
Dolphins: No late changes, which means Wayne Bennett will role out a side with just one change from the 17 who won big over the Eels last week, with Kurt Donoghoe’s return from suspension on the bench bumping Sean O’Sullivan back to the reserves. Connelly Lemuelu will have to wait at least another week to make his NRL return after being cut from the final squad on Sunday.
Knights: A debut for David Armstrong after he was named to take over at fullback following Kalyn Ponga’s long-term foot injury. Dane Gagai returns from a week out with a calf injury. Jed Cartwright takes the bench spot made vacant by Jack Hetherington’s suspension. No changes an hour from kick-off, with Thomas Cant the replacement player.
Match: Dolphins v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Trai FullerFullback for Knights is number 1 David Armstrong
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Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Knights is number 2 Greg Marzhew
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Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake AverilloCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Tesi NiuCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack BostockWinger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
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Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
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Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark NichollsProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kenneath Bromwich2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
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2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Max PlathLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh KerrInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Kurt DonoghoeInterchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray StoneInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jed Cartwright
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Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Oryn KeeleyInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Mason TeagueReplacement for Knights is number 19 Thomas Cant
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dolphins lead the NRL for average points scored in 2024 (28.3 per game).
- The Knights have won only three of their past 10 games without Kalyn Ponga.
- Dolphins right winger Jamayne Isaako scored five tries in two games against the Knights in 2023.
- Knights prop Jacob Saifiti will make his 150th NRL appearance.
- Dolphins left winger Jack Bostock has scored six tries in his past four games.
Match: Dolphins v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Dolphins
7th Position
away Team
Knights
12th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .
