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Knights v Raiders: Saifiti good to go; Young earns rest
The Knights have breathed life back into their season with heart-stopping wins in two of their past three games and will look to make another statement this weekend against the high-flying Raiders.
With home games against Canberra, Melbourne and the Warriors across the next month, Kalyn Ponga and his men have a gilt-edged opportunity to take some big scalps and give the Newcastle faithful reason to believe a third straight finals appearance is a realistic goal.
Standing in their way is a Raiders outfit that sits comfortably in second place on the ladder and still has two byes up its sleeve to bank four more points and rest weary bodies.
The Green Machine have won nine of their past 10 matches on the back of a potent blend of youth and experience to give themselves a great shot at just the second minor premiership in club history, the other being in 1990.
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
13th Position
away Team
Raiders
1st Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: Veteran playmaker Jackson Hastings comes in for the luckless Fletcher Sharpe, who ruptured his spleen and lacerated his kidney last week. Prop Jacob Saifiti will play his first game since Round 11 having overcome a calf injury, pushing Mat Croker to the bench. Greg Marzhew (arm) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are listed among the reserves as they push for a return from injury. No late game-day changes.
Raiders: Simi Sasagi comes into the starting side in place of Blues forward Hudson Young, who is being rested. Young has been managing an ongoing groin issue, and the club have chosen to manage his workload during what has been a demanding period with club and Origin commitments. Noah Martin is the new face on the bench. No late game-day changes.
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 James SchillerWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jackson HastingsFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Tyson FrizellProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Simi Sasagi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Phoenix CrosslandLock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Brodie JonesInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Thomas CantInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Noah Martin
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jermaine McEwenInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Trey Mooney
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won four of their past five games against the Raiders.
- The Raiders have won their past six games away from home.
- The Knights have lost five of their past six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored five tries in his past seven games against the Knights.
- Knights utility Phoenix Crossland will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
