Roar Guru
Newcastle Knights
15
Match Complete
Gold Coast Titans
14
M. Pearce | 79 | |||
74 | J. Fogarty | |||
J. Clifford | 70 | |||
J. Clifford | 61 | |||
M. Pearce | 60 | |||
38 | J. Fogarty | |||
37 | D. Fifita | |||
J. Clifford | 25 | |||
K. Ponga | 23 | |||
11 | J. Fogarty | |||
4 | P. Sami |
2 | Tries | 2 | ||
2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
1 | Field Goals | 0 |
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Round 24 gets underway tonight when the Newcastle Knights take on the Gold Coast Titans at the Sunshine Coast Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
With finals just around the corner, this looms as a do-or-die match for the Titans. The Knights sit more comfortably in 7th spot, but need a win to confirm their spot in the top eight.
The Knights were far from convincing against the Bulldogs last weekend, holding on for a 22-16 win. The scoreline perhaps flattered the Bulldogs, but Adam O’Brien would have been disappointed that his team didn’t go on to a thumping victory.
The Knights do possess a number of attacking options through Mitchell Pearce, Kurt Mann and Kalyn Ponga. However, their pack will be tested with a couple of key omissions.
Daniel Saifiti remains on the sidelines and David Klemmer will join him, after being suspended for a week. His place is taken by Sauaso Sue. Tyson Frizell returns from suspension, pushing Brodie Jones to the bench.
The Titans were brave against the Melbourne Storm, but eventually came up short. Their halves combination of Jamal Fogarty and Ash Taylor couldn’t come up with the big plays when it mattered.
If the Titans are going to win, their big-name forwards need to stand up. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was heavily involved against the Storm but David Fifita was barely sighted. Heavy criticism from that game may be just what Fifita needs.
There’s plenty of changes for the Titans. Tyrone Peachey has been named in the halves at the expense of Taylor. Moeaki Fotuaika returns from injury via the bench with Sam Lisone dropping out of the 17. Beau Fermor is listed to start with David Fifita back to the bench. Mitch Rein comes back in, with Erin Clark moving to the interchange. Finally, Phillip Sami moves back onto the wing in place of an unlucky Greg Marzhew.
Prediction
These sides look evenly matched on paper but the stakes are higher for the Titans.
I like Tyrone Peachey in the halves and, with a Titans pack desperate to assert itself, the Gold Coast will just hold on for the win.
Gold Coast Titans by 2
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Knights: $1.85; Titans: $1.95 ((odds via PlayUp)
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Sauaso Sue 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson
Interchange: 14. Brodie Jones 15. Chris Randall 16. Josh King 17. Jirah Momoisea
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Beau Fermor 13. Sam McIntyre
Interchange: 14. Erin Clark 15. David Fifita 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Jaimin Jolliffe
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