Dolphins v Knights: Donoghoe back from ban; Armstrong in for KP

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.

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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.