Match Preview: NRL Round 14 vs Knights

Coming off an impressive victory over the Broncos, and on a five-day turnaround, the Sea Eagles are aiming to claim back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

Along with the precious two points up for grabs is the Malcolm Reilly Trophy, which is currently housed at Brookvale following last year’s 44-6 thumping of the Knights in Round 19 at 4 Pines Park.

A quick recap of that match.  Lehi Hopoate, who has been one of the team’s most consistent performers this season, scored two of Manly’s eight tries.

Results in recent years at McDonald Jones Stadium are pretty evenly split with Manly winning four of the past nine matches. The Sea Eagles didn’t make the trip up the M1 last season, their most recent visit a 28-18 loss in Round 13, 2023.

While the Knights’ defence, in terms of points conceded, is among the best in the NRL, their inability to find points has been a problem through the first half of the season.

Scoring a tick over 13 points per game on average, they are rock bottom in the ‘points for’ column.

Newcastle scored a comfortable win against a depleted Panthers side a couple of weeks ago but were beaten 20-6 by the Dragons at Kogarah last weekend. It was the fifth time in 12 games the Knights have been restricted to six points or less.

Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga missed both of those matches but is back on deck for this one.

In team news Jake Trbojevic is back for Manly after missing two games with concussion, which sees Jazz Tevaga shift to the bench. Toafofoa Sipley also comes back into the side after serving a four-match suspension, and then playing one game in the NSW Cup last weekend.

For the Knights, Ponga’s return, sees Fletcher Sharpe revert to five-eighth and Jack Cogger to halfback. Brodie Jones will start in the front row with Leo Thompson serving a four-game ban for a crusher tackle.

Stat Zone

• The Knights have won only one of their past five games against the Sea Eagles.
• The Knights have lost their last four games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
• Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored eight tries in his past nine games.
• Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored six tries in six games against the Sea Eagles