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Wests Tigers v Knights: Sullivan in for Sezer; Frizell returns

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Timestamp

After some promising signs early in the season Wests Tigers have slumped to five losses on the trot as they head to Tamworth to confront a Knights outfit buoyed by a gritty win over the Warriors in torrid conditions in Newcastle.

Wins over heavyweights the Sharks and Eels in Rounds 2-3 had Tigers fans believing they could finally rid themselves of the dreaded wooden spoon they collected in 2022 and 2023.

The emergence of talented teenage playmaker Lachlan Galvin and the brilliant form of skipper Api Koroisau were cause for optimism but the hooker's ongoing battle with hip spasms forced him out of the Bulldogs game and he was sorely missed.

Galvin's halves partner Aidan Sezer will miss the next four games after taking the early guilty plea to a Dangerous Contact offence. 

The fact Adam O'Brien's men have found a way to knock off the Dolphins and Warriors without superstar skipper Kalyn Ponga will be a huge shot in the arm as he faces at least another eight weeks on the sideline.

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Team News

Wests Tigers: Jayden Sullivan takes over at halfback from the suspended Aidan Sezer, while skipper Api Koroisau is back on deck after missing Round 9 with hip spasms. Starford To'a will play his first game since Round 2 having returned from an ankle injury in NSW Cup last weekend, with Brent Naden shifting to the wing. No changes in the one-hour update. 

Knights: A late switch sees Dylan Lucas join the run-on side and Kai Pearce-Paul revert to the bench. Jacob Saifiti (leg) dropped out of the side on Friday and is replaced by Jack Hetherington on the interchange, while Tyson Frizell (hamstring) will play his first game since Round 4. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 David Armstrong
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Greg Marzhew
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Brent Naden
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
    2nd Row for Knights is number 16 Dylan Lucas
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
    Interchange for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Fonua Pole
    Interchange for Knights is number 18 Jack  Hetherington

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tallyn Da Silva
    Replacement for Knights is number 19 Jack Cogger

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • Wests Tigers have won only one of their four games played at Scully Park.
  • The Knights have won their last four games against the Tigers.
  • Tigers winger Charlie Staines has scored three tries in his past two games.
  • The Knights have lost four of their past five away games.
  • Prop Alex Twal is the only Tigers player who has experienced a win at Scully Park.

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.