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Knights v Broncos: Gamble returns; Reynolds back on deck

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The Newcastle Knights are out to keep in touch with the top eight as they return home to host the Broncos on Saturday night. 

The two sides are coming off last-start losses and are desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with just eight rounds remaining in the regular season. 

Newcastle currently sit 10th on 20 points, with Brisbane down in 13th on 18 points. Such is the cluttered nature of the competition, just four points separate the eighth-placed Cowboys (22 points) and 15th-placed Rabbitohs (18 points). 

The means Saturday's clash at McDonald Jones Stadium is crucial for both sides as they look to make a run to the finals. 

The Knights were comprehensively beaten by Manly in Round 19, falling 44-6 as the Sea Eagles backs ran rampant. 

Coach Adam O'Brien hopes to welcome back a trio of Origin stars, with Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best all in the mix to back up after Wednesday's decider. 

The Broncos were also undermanned in their loss to the Dragons, but have three of their Origin stars set to return this weekend as they look to snap a six-game losing streak, with skipper Adam Reynolds also named to play.

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Team News

Knights: Tyson Gamble is a late inclusion at five-eighth and will play his first match since Round 10. Dylan Lucas has moved to lock with Adam Elliott out with a minor calf issue. Mat Croker joins the bench. All of Newcastle's Origin stars will back up including Blues hero Bradman Best, who had six stitches inserted in a cut lip. Jack Hetherington is also back in place of Brodie Jones (head knock). 

Broncos: Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds will make his return from a biceps injury after completing Friday morning's captain's run. Coach Kevin Walters has also received a major boost with three of his four Origin stars cleared to back up. Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh will line up for Brisbane, with Selwyn Cobbo to sit out the match due to groin soreness. Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington move to the bench. Josiah Karapani is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Broncos is number 20 Reece Walsh
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Krystian Mapapalangi
    Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 18 Tyson Gamble
    Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Broncos is number 24 Adam Reynolds

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Broncos is number 23 Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
    2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
  • Lock for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas
    Lock for Broncos is number 22 Patrick Carrigan

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
    Interchange for Broncos is number 10 Xavier Willison
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
    Interchange for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington  
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Tyson Smoothy
  • Interchange for Knights is number 19 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 20 Thomas Cant
    Replacement for Broncos is number 16 Josiah Karapani

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights have won only two of their past nine games against the Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium.
  • The Broncos have won their past four games against the Knights.
  • Long-serving Knights hooker Jayden Brailey has lost all six games against the Broncos.
  • Knights centre Bradman Best has scored four tries in his past five NRL games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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