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Knights v Eels: Milestone man Gagai; Zac's back on deck
The Knights have now lost six of their past seven and there's sure to be much soul-searching this week as they come to grips with surrendering a 20-point lead against the Titans.
Tries to Dylan Lucas, Fletcher Sharpe and Mat Croker inside the first 30 minutes had the Knights on track for their fourth win of the season but a try to Phil Sami just before the break had alarm bells ringing and it all fell apart in the second term for Adam O'Brien's men.
The Knights now confront an equally desperate Eels outfit who blew a number of chances against the Dolphins before slumping their seventh loss of the season.
Such is the compressed nature of the ladder that the winner can well and truly stay in touch with the top eight, but things will be starting to look grim for the side that goes under at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.
Match: Knights v Eels
Round 11 -
home Team
Knights
16th Position
away Team
Eels
17th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: Late changes with star centre Bradman Best dropping out due to a hamstring injury. Dylan Lucas moves into the centres and Thomas Cant starts in the back row with Jack Hetherington joining the bench in his return from the shoulder injury that has sidelined since Round 5. Tyson Gamble came into the side at halfback in jersey No.19 on Thursday with Jack Cogger making way. Centre Dane Gagai is set for his 300th NRL game and will line up in the backline alongside 20-year-old debutant Fletcher Hunt.
Eels: Luca Moretti has come into the starting side an hour before kick-off and Ryan Matterson has been added to the bench. Matt Doorey drops out. Zac Lomax hasn't played since Round 5 due to a foot injury and gets one chance to stake his claim for Blues Origin selection. Lomax's return is a straight swap with Bailey Simonsson who picked up a foot injury last weekend. Toni Mataele is the new man on the bench and is set for his NRL debut. The Eels have won seven of their past eight games against the Knights.
Match: Knights v Eels
Round 11 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 James SchillerWinger for Eels is number 2 Zac Lomax
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
-
Centre for Knights is number 11 Dylan LucasCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Fletcher HuntWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
-
Halfback for Knights is number 19 Tyson GambleHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Tyson FrizellProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Luca Moretti
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Eels is number 16 Jordan Samrani
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Eels is number 17 Toni Mataele
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Eels is number 19 Ryan Matterson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 22 Paul BryanReplacement for Eels is number 18 Joash Papalii
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only one of their past seven games.
- The Eels have won seven of their past eight games against the Knights.
- Knights centre Dane Gagai will make his 300th NRL appearance.
- Eels halfback Mitchell Moses has scored 60 points in his last four games against the Knights.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored six tries in his last five games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
