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Knights
28
Match Complete
Eels
14
| K. Ponga |  | 70 | ||
| M. Pearce |  | 68 | ||
| K. Ponga |  | 58 | ||
| 53 | | M. Moses | ||
| 51 | | M. Ma'u | ||
| 40 | | M. Moses | ||
| 38 | | M. Moses | ||
| 36 | | M. Sivo | ||
| K. Ponga | | 27 | ||
| J. Gavet | | 26 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 11 | ||
| L. Fitzgibbon | | 10 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 8 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 7 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 6 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
The Knights are back at home this week after a disappointing trip to the Gold Coast saw them lose to the Titans in dismal fashion, coughing up a heap of possession and conceding 38 points to 14.
This week they will host the red-hot Eels, who demolished the Wests Tigers last week 51-6 at the grand opening of Bank West Stadium.
To make things worse for the Knights, the Eels’ star winger Blake Ferguson has overcome a rib injury sustained two weeks ago against the Raiders, and will take his spot on the right flank, making the task of victory even more difficult for the Knights than it already was.
The Kinghts’ biggest issue against the Titans was ball security – simple errors led directly to tries for the Titans on numberous occasions.
In attack they were so awful that even Kalyn Ponga barely threatened. Experienced halfback Mitchell Pearce came up with some really bad last-play options, which meant his side was simply unable to build any pressure.
If the Knights are to have any chance against the Eels, both Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga need to improve. Creating a plan to get strike centre Jesse Ramien some early ball would be a good start – he is a huge threat and has been vastly underutilized this season.
However, if the ball doesn’t find Ramien he needs to go searching for the ball. Upping his involvement in whatever capacity can only be a good thing for the Knights.
The Eels were fantastic against the Tigers, however the Tigers really didn’t put up much of a fight.
They can expect a much more difficult outing this week away from their new state-of-the-art facility.
However, with some great early season victories and a close loss to the Roosters, they have shown that they are more than capable of rising to the challenge of an under-pressure Knights side.
Prediction
The Raiders two weeks ago created a blueprint for stopping the Eels: stop Ferguson! This is also the Knights’ best chance of snaring an unlikely victory in this game.
For each week that they continue to lose, the pressure mounts further on the Knights. They need to get their season into gear quick smart and it starts with this game. They have plenty to play for.
The Eels are under far less pressure than their opposition and that will suit them. With Ferguson back in the side and halfback Mitchell Moses in career best form, it’s hard to see anything other than a victory to the Eels in this one.
Parramatta by 14
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:05pm AEST.
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
When: 4:05pm
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Streaming: 9 Now, NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. James Gavet 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Josh King 18. Mason Lino 19. Tautau Moga 20. Sione Mata’utia 21. Pasami Saulo
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tepai Moeroa 14. Peni Terepo 15. Tim Mannah 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ray Stone 18. Manu Ma’u 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. George Jennings
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