Injuries matter in rugby league – just ask either of these two sides. They have been ravaged thus far in 2014.
For the Knights, the absence of Jarrod Mullen and Darius Boyd has been felt most acutely, while the Sharks have been missing the likes of Luke Lewis, Paul Gallen, Todd Carney and (through suspension) Andrew Fifita.
Carney returned last week and Fifita is back on deck this week, timely boosts for the boys from the Shire.
Injuries aside though, these sides have also been failing to get the basics right in their opening rounds.
The Knights have conceded an average of 12 penalties per match – including a whopping 15 against the Storm last week. It’s an unusual lack of discipline for a Wayne Bennett-coached side.
Meanwhile the Sharks have been completing at an average of 69%, the lowest in the NRL so far this season.
The question is, which of these sides can turn it around today?
While Carney will be better for the run and the return of Fifita is significant, I still feel the Sharks’ squad looks a little light on, particularly in the outside backs where Newcastle are very strong.
Providing they can put in a more disciplined performance, I feel the Knights will be too good today.
Knights by 12.
As a side note, starting from today and for the remainder of the season all Knights players will wear Alex McKinnon’s name and club number on their jerseys in a show of support for the 22-year-old after the devastating injury sustained last week.
Which of these sides will lift themselves from the bottom of the NRL ladder?
Join us this afternoon at 3:00pm AEST for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.
Banana man
Guest
No worries mate thanks for that.
Rob G
Guest
Always an absolute pleasure to see the sharks get owned.
Ronald M
Guest
The knights are an under strength football side with off field issues of their own. There should have been no way they nilled anyone today. Shows that Sharpie just isn't upto it. The mahogony stirring tackle seems shire bound on current showings.
Adam
Roar Guru
Hey mate, sorry your comment took a while to get through, didn't see it till now – crowd was 18,196.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 Bit of a fizzer there – Newcastle did all their damage in the first half but never really kicked on in the second, while the Sharks looked to be lacking confidence and only on the very rare occasion managed to threaten the Knights' line. A good win for Newcastle who were boosted by the return of Darius Boyd and will be even better with Jarrod Mullen back in a few weeks – plenty to look forward to if you're a Knights fan despite a tough start to the season. For the Sharks things are looking a little more dire, Carney still doesn't seem to be fully confident after his hamstring injury, but with Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Jeff Robson all to return they have plenty of improvement left in them. Best on field were Mason, Snowden, Roberts and Leilua for the Knights. My man of the match would have to go to Leilua purely on that first-half performance – three tries and another assist, he devastated the Sharks' right-hand defence and put the game beyond their reach.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Knights 30 - Sharks 0
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 79' Half-break made by Sims, tries to flick a pass to Gagai but he can't hold it, Sharks back with possession.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 77' Cronulla chancing their arm trying to find some points here but it's all a bit ugly and not very effective – ball ends up with Leutele who is tackled on the last. Play stops now as Uate is down hurt.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 75' Gidley with a short ball to Sims but he puts it down, Sharks to feed the scrum on their own 10m.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 74' Mistake by Newcastle working it out from the kick-off and Sharks will go on the attack 30m out. ...but a mistake from Heighington brings the attacking raid to a premature end.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 73' REPLAY: Great work by Roberts, floated across the line with a couple of show-and-gos before getting outside of Matt Prior with sheer speed and skipping away to score. Top stuff by Roberts. CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 30 - Sharks 0 73' TRY KNIGHTS! Roberts has broken them open from the scrum base and crossed in the left corner!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 72' NO TRY. Scott is ruled to have knocked it on. Now Wade Graham has been taken into touch by Willie Mason and they'll go back on the attack.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 72' VIDEO REF! Dobson kicks to the right, Scott bats it to Gagai who is claiming a try but the ref thinks Scott has knocked it on... going upstairs...
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 71' Carney is back to his feet and the referees have decided there wasn't anything wrong with Leilua's hit, and the Knights have the ball on the halfway line
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 71' Carney has gone down injured here and looks to be in some strife... he was hit late by Leilua...
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 70' Dobson with a face ball to Scott but the defence is in his face and he can't handle it. Fizzling out a bit here, Knights not looking quite as sharp as in the first half while the Sharks know the game is well beyond them.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 68' Falling apart for the Sharks now, simple mistake made working it out of their own end and Newcastle will feed the scrum 30m out from Sharks' line.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 67' Leilua breaks through again, he's pulled down inches short of the line! Now Cuthbertson loses the ball, back into the Sharks' possession.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Knights 26 - Sharks 0 65' Again the Sharks try to raid down the left but good in-your-face defence by Uate forces an error and the ball goes over the sideline, Newcastle feed at the halfway.