NRL 2023, St George Illawarra Dragons, Newcastle Knights, round 27, official team lists, updates, injuries

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 2 Sep 2023, 06:35 PM

The Knights go in search of a ninth win on the trot and can ensure they finish in fifth place and get a home final should they get the job done against the Dragons.

The turnaround has been remarkable for Adam O'Brien's men, who sat 14th after Round 19 and looked anything but premiership contenders.

The Dragons have shown some promising signs in recent weeks but will still finish the season in second-last position, equalling their worst ever finish as a joint venture in 2019.

Having pushed the Storm and Warriors over the past fortnight, the Dragons go into Saturday's game confident of giving their home fans a ray of hope at the end of a tough season.

The Red V have not won an away game all season so playing at Netstrata Jubilee gives them some hope of an upset but the Knights are on a magical roll and loom as a danger team in September.

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Team News

Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Jack de Belin returns from suspension at lock so Michael Molo goes to the bench. Debutant Sione Finau suffered an ankle injury against the Warriors and is replaced by Mat Feagai on the wing. Toby Couchman is 18th Man.

Knights: No further changes on game day after Jack Hetherington came into the starting side on Friday in place of prop Leo Thompson. The new face on the bench Oryn Keeley, who plays his first game since making his debut in Round 23 last season. Kalyn Ponga has suffered a high grade AC shoulder injury and will miss the match with Lachlan Miller his replacement at fullback. Halfback Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) came out of the extended squad on Friday and will look to return for week one of the finals. Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai and Phoenix Crossland are being rested so Brodie Jones, Enari Tuala and Fa'amanu Brown come in and Riley Jones makes his NRL debut off the bench in the back-up hooker role.

Round 27 - Round 27 - Saturday 2 Sep

Full Time

Dragons

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Connor Muhleisen

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Fa'amanu Brown
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Dan Russell

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Riley Jones
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Oryn Keeley

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Toby Couchman

Replacement for Knights is number 24 Dane Aukafolau

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:25:52 PM

Stat Attack

Knights backs Greg Marzhew (162) is first for tackle breaks in the NRL.
The best winning streak in Knights history is 11 on the trot between Round 25, 2001 and Round 6, 2002, which included the 2001 grand final victory.
The Dragons have won five of their past seven games against the Knights.
The Knights have not won at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium since 2009.
The Dragons have won four of their past five games at Netstrata Jubilee.
Dominic Young requires one try to break the club’s record for most tries in a season.
Ben Hunt has scored a try in his past four games at Netstrata Jubilee.