Defending premiers Newcastle open their 2023 NRLW campaign against St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to make an immediate statement.
The Knights knocked the Dragons out of the grand final race in 2022 with a thumping 30-6 win in the semi-finals to advance to the decider.
To highlight the amount of changeover for both sides in the off-season, only 14 players remain with their team - 10 from the Knights and four from the Dragons - as the expanded competition takes it toll on already established clubs.
Dragons coach Jamie Soward has lost a wealth of representative experience to rival clubs and will be heavily reliant on Dally M winner Raecene McGregor to guide the Dragons around the paddock, along with rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong.
For Newcastle, the nucleus of their premiership-winning team remains but they'll need to fill the gap left by Millie Boyle in the middle with the Roosters-bound forward a key departure.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Team news
Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes and will roll out nine players who tasted premiership success last year led by Karyn Murphy Medal winner Tamika Upton, who captains the side with Hannah Southwell (knee) not ready for a return. Coach Ron Griffiths has opted for Caitlin Moran to partner Jesse Southwell in the halves, giving long-term English prospect Georgia Roche another week of training after only arriving to Australia less than a fortnight ago. There are three players set for NRLW debuts - Kiwi Ferns pair Laishon Albert-Jones and Abigail Roache, along with former Young Matildas captain Sheridan Gallagher, who will start on the wing.
Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Jamie Soward will blood five debutants in Round 1 including Rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong, who will partner Raecene McGregor in the halves. Rookie winger Shenai Lendill and young gun Alexis Tauaneai will also start with Ella Koster and Jamilee Bright to come off the bench. Only five players are back from Soward's 2022 campaign with Teagan Berry to start at fullback for the first time in her NRLW career. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com
Stat Attack
- Newcastle scored a total 60 points in two victories over the Dragons in 2022.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored four tries in three games against the Knights.
- The average winning margin between both these clubs is 27.3.
- The Dragons have only five players returning from their 2022 campaign.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton is the NRLW's all-time leading try-scorer with 12 tries in 16 games.