Two winless sides go head-to-head at the SCG on Saturday to kick off round three of the Telstra Women's Premiership and for one club, another loss could spell the end to their finals chances.
The Roosters have been the competition's disappointment so far with back-to-back losses to Queensland sides Brisbane and Gold Coast in recent weeks.
Ball control has been an issue for the Tricolours with an average 60 percent of sets completed in the past two rounds.
Newcastle will take confidence into the clash despite going down to the Broncos 28-10 last week with another game under their belt.
The Knights haven't been much better with their completion rate (63%) this season so as cliché as it may sound, whoever holds the ball on Saturday will go a long way to winning this one.
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The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: Roosters: Inspirational leader Corban Baxter has been named for her first game of the season after battling COVID-19 the past fortnight. Baxter's inclusion will see Brydie Parker shift to the wing and Yasmin Meakes return to the back row. NSW representative Sarah Togatuki returns to prop with Maori All Stars representative Mya Hill-Moana retaining her spot in the 17 from the bench. Shawden Burton shifts to the reserves as 18th player. The team is 1-17 on game day.
Knights: In a boost for the side, Phoebe Desmond returns to the side after missing last week's clash due to a positive COVID-19 test. Kirra Dibb will also start at five-eighth alongside Charntay Poko, with Tahlulah Tillett joining Emma Manzelmann, Charlotte Scanlan and Ngatokotoru Arakua on the bench. Autumn-Rain Stephens plays wing with Katie Green dropping out in the 24-hour submission.
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Key match-up
Hannah Southwell v Charntay Poko: Both players offer a different style of play for their sides but are crucial to controlling the middle. Southwell's time with the ball in her hand has been limited due to the side's struggle with their hands but is a constant in defence. Poko looks promising at lock with her ball-playing ability in the middle enabling the Knights to get their attack on from both sides.
Stat attack
On the flip side of failing to complete their sets, both sides are having to do more defensive work with the Roosters (590) and Knights (516) in the top three for most tackles made to start the season. The Roosters have missed the most with 72 in two games and will need to be on alert with Newcastle ranked fourth with 52 tackle breaks.