The Newcastle Knights take on the Gold Coast Titans at Hunter Stadium today. Join The Roar for live scores from 2:00pm (AEST).
These sides last met way back in Round 7 2013, which the Knights won comfortably, 30-6.
The Knights are coming off the back of three straight victories, which have propelled them from the dreaded wooden spoon, for now.
The Titans have won just the one game in their last eight, after losing to the Canberra Raiders last week.
Both teams are currently sitting in the bottom four of the NRL ladder; the Titans four points ahead of the Knights.
The Knights are 14th on the ladder, while the Titans are sitting at 13th position. A win for the Knights here will close the gap between the two struggling teams.
This is set to be a sold out crowd in Newcastle, for the Rise for Alex round. This will be an emotional day for all Newcastle Knights fans, staff and players, who will be looking for a big win for their mate Alex McKinnon.
The Knights will be fielding perhaps their best side, which is unchanged after last weeks come from behind victory over the Cronulla Sharks. Wayne Bennet will decide on gameday whether 19th man Adam Cuthbertson will play or not.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Gold Coast Titans who will be missing David Mead and William Zillman, both through hamstring injuries. Anthony Don comes into the side, replacing Kevin Gordon on the wing, who shifts to fullback to replace the injured duo.
The Knights are heavy favourites to win today. The Titans have been slaughtered by injuries, and the Knights are in form.
They also have the extra incentive to win for Alex McKinnon.
Can the Knights make it four straight? Or will the Titans show their early season form and shock the Newcastle Knights? Have your say.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:00pm (AEST).
Sandy Johnno
Guest
Yay Dave Taylor. God I hope he finally realises his potential -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
A very disappointing performance for Newcastle today, the fans, players and coaches won't be happy. The scoreline might suggest otherwise, but the Titans will also be very unpleased with their performance. Lots of drop ball out there today. Only a few players can hold their heads high, Dave Taylor and James Roberts especially. They were fantastic on the edges today. Thank you for joining me today, please let me know what you thought of the match and how this impacts the rest of the year. Follow me on Twitter for more updates @Joshayyyy21 #RiseForAlex
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
Dave Taylor well deserved man of the match, he was brilliant today
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
FULLTIME. Knights 8 TItans 22
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
The Knights players looking distraught and dissapointed
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
Short side kick from Mortimer and Roberts is quick enough and has the class to put the ball down before the goal line Brilliant. Hunter Stadium is starting to look empty. A crowd of over 26,000 today. 80' - GOAL. Kevin Gordon converts Knights 8 TItans 22
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
79' - TRY. James Roberts with a try off a brilliant Daniel Mortimer kick Knights 8 TItans 20
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
77' - LINEBREAK. Faifai Loa gets away and almost goes the distance. Titans keep the ball Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
77' - SCRUM. Mullen tries a trick shot chip kick which was never on.. Titans will have possession with 2 minutes and 42 seconds to go Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
76' - NO TRY. They've ruled its a drop ball, the Knights will get the 20m restart Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
Looks like he has dropped it, plus momentum looks to have been stopped as well. The referee called a try though. Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
76' - VIDEO REF. Mark Ioane may have scored here under the posts for the Titans.. Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
75' - ERROR. Cuthberson has dropped the ball in their own half Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
Anthony Don takes a pressure bomb. Followed by Dave Taylor making a big run 74.30 is the clock Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
74' - Mortimer gets crunched by Jeremy Smith as he kicks it! The Knights will be hoping to score in this set Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
72' - ERROR. Mullen has thrown a flick pass over the sideline. They tried a bit too hard there Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
70' - NO GOAL. Roberts misses an important kick Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
Linebreaks from Mamo and Mullen have pushed the Knights up to the Titans 10m line and Roberts ran from dummy half to score. The Knights have seriously fired up now. Shame its 70 minutes late, but this final 10 promises to be huge!
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
69' - TRY. Tyrone Roberts has scored! Knights 8 TItans 16
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
The momentum is starting to shift to the Knights, with just 11 and a half minutes remaining. More tackle breaks have emerged in the last 10 minutes than there has been in the last 68 minutes.