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Match Preview

Knights v Eels: Pryce is right to debut; Moses to back up

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Both sides come in rested and refreshed from the bye and determined to finish the season strongly after mixed results so far in 2024.

The Knights sit 12th after sliding to three consecutive losses although there was plenty of positives to come out of the 26-18 defeat to Penrith in Round 15.

The Eels, meanwhile, are languishing in last place having won just one of their past eight games, and they will be desperately hoping Blues No.7 Mitch Moses can back up after Origin Two to steer them around the park.

With matches against the Storm, Panthers and Roosters still come in the run home, the Eels simply must get on a roll and gain momentum by winning their matches against sides outside the eight.

Blockbusting winger Maika Sivo is set to return from a hamstring injury for the Eels but back-rower J'maine Hopgood looks set to miss the rest of the season due to back surgery.

The Knights will be hoping to have No.1 gun Kalyn Ponga back on deck within the next month but his absence has opened the door for impressive youngsters Fletcher Sharpe and David Armstrong to make a name for themselves in the top grade.

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Team News

Knights: Leo Thompson is a late withdrawal with an Achilles issue so Jack Hetherington joins the bench. Back-rower Dylan Lucas was ruled out after battling hamstring tightness throughout the week. As a result, Kai Pearce-Paul will start in his first game back from a toe injury and Mat Croker has been promoted to the bench. English recruit Will Pryce will make his NRL debut at five-eighth.

Eels:Blues star Mitchell Moses will play in a huge boost for the Eels, while Maika Sivo is also set to return from a hamstring injury. Makahesi Makatoa will start the game and Junior Paulo goes to the bench in a game day swap. Ryan Matterson has been named on the bench alongside Matt Doorey and Matt Arthur, who makes his NRL debut. Daejarn Asi is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher Sharpe
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Blaize Talagi
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Will Pryce
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
  • Prop for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Eels is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 16 Kai Pearce-Paul
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce  Cartwright 
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe  Ofahengaue

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
    Interchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Matthew Arthur
  • Interchange for Knights is number 18 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey
  • Interchange for Knights is number 19 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ryan Matterson

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 21 Krystian Mapapalangi
    Replacement for Eels is number 18 Daejarn Asi

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights have not won at home since Round 9 (14-8 v Warriors).
  • The Knights have lost their past six games against the Eels.
  • The Eels have lost all six games away from home in 2024.
  • Knights centre Dane Gagai has scored six tries in his past six games against the Eels.
  • Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored six tries in his past six games against the Knights.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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