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Knights v Dragons: Frizell out, Hastings back in; Molo returns on bench

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Boosted by a victory in front of a packed home stadium last week, the Dragons travel to face a Knights side backing up from a grueling loss in Auckland. 

In Round 4 St George Illawarra showed a type of resilience so often lacking from their performances in recent times, to hold the red-hot Sea Eagles attack to just two tries, with fullback Tyrell Sloan doing much of the damage on the other side of the ball to lift his side to a second win in 2024.

After falling behind early against the Warriors the Knights defended well to remain in the contest right up until the closing minutes, but were made to pay for failing to take advantage of the scoring chances they did have. 

In addition to now being 1-3 this season, Newcastle will need to overcome a five-day turnaround and trip back across the Tasman if they are to beat the Dragons, who have the benefit of remaining in New South Wales and getting the full week of rest.

The Dragons have a good record at McDonald Jones Stadium, having won in 18 of 23 trips there, while in their last four meetings the pair have picked up two wins apiece.

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Team News

Knights: Jackson Hastings returns to the line-up for the first time since being dropped after Round 2, replacing Tyson Gamble in the halves. There are a couple of big inclusions as well, with Dane Gagai returning from the medical condition which kept him from playing in Auckland last week and Leo Thompson back from suspension. Jayden Brailey starts at hooker after being eased back from injury via the interchange over the past fortnight. Tyson Frizell dropped out in the 24-hour update, with Dylan Lucas slotting into the back row as his replacement. Tom Cant is the 18th man.

Dragons: Just one change to the 17 who took the field against the Sea Eagles last week, with Michael Molo replacing Hame Sele on the bench. Tom Eisenhuth was named to start at lock, but revert back to the bench in a swap with Blake Lawrie. Toby Couchman is 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack Cogger
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
    Interchange for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jesse Marschke
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Michael Molo
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Raymond  Faitala-Mariner

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 22 Thomas Cant
    Replacement for Dragons is number 21 Toby Couchman

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights have won seven of their past eight games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
  • Dragons centre Jack Bird has scored six tries in seven games against the Knights.
  • Knights captain Kalyn Ponga has scored four tries in his past three games against the Dragons.
  • Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored six tries in his past four games.
  • The Knights have won only two of their past seven games against the Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.