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The Wests Tigers took a win over the Newcastle Knights on Saturday, running out the winners by eight points in a match where neither side really impressed.
REPORT: TIGERS DOWN KNIGHT IN BOTTOM FOUR BATTLE
Final score
Wests Tigers 20
Newcastle Knights 12
It might only be Round 11, but the Newcastle Knights are nearing the last chance saloon for their season, while the Wests Tigers have also been struggling and desperately need a win when the sides meet in Campbelltown. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEST).
Newcastle have won a measly one game so far this season from their first 10, and it was capped off last week with a 62-point smashing in front of nearly 20,000 fans at Hunter Stadium against the Cronulla Sharks.
There a lot of words you could use to sum up the performance from the Knights – but pathetic seems to fit the bill. In the same breath you have to feel for them with such a young squad and missing Trent Hodkinson – but they looked like they didn’t want to be there in defence as the Sharks ran riot.
It worsened the Knights for and against to a ridiculous negative 253 and they have now been outscored 179 points to 10 in the last four weeks – in three of those games they have been held scoreless.
The Tigers deserve a share of criticism based on their play so far, sitting in 14th place on the NRL ladder and having won only three games themselves this season. Their attack, like Newcastle, has at times looked awful, and defence not much better.
They come into this game having been smoked by the Canterbury Bulldogs 36 points to 4 last week and after a strong start to the season have now lost seven of their last eight matches.
That included a 60 to 6 smashing at the hands of the Canberra Raiders, and the Knights’ only win of the season a month ago.
Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses haven’t worked at all well together and with James Tedesco out injured things have gone from bad to worse.
In team news the Tigers will be without Robbie Farah and Curtis Sironen with Dene Halatau and Josh Aloai added to the starting team. JJ Felise and Matt Ballin come onto the bench with Michael Chee-Kam at 18th man, while Tim Grant plays from the bench.
Trent Hodkinson is the big in for the Knights with Jack Cogger going back to 19th man. Pauli Pauli is back as 18th man while Corey Denniss and David Bhana are both out. Nathan Ross returns on the wing and Sam Mataora in the forward pack.
It all comes down to defence and patience here. Whichever team can defend better, and build pressure on the other weak defence wins this one.
Prediction
It’s hard to see Newcastle beating anyone after last week, although Hodkinson should provide them with a decent kicking game. Their defence looks lazy, and their attack dysfunctional. Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks should have a field day.
Tigers by 16.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this match from 3pm (AEST) and dont’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde