Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 19 clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Melbourne Storm.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Melbourne Storm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Date: Saturday July 12, 3:00pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. Fletcher Hunt, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Mat Croker, 16. Jermaine McEwen, 17. Brodie Jones, 18. Thomas Cant, 19. James Schiller, 20. Tyson Gamble, 21. Jack Hetherington, 22. Kyle McCarthy
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2. Grant Anderson, 3. Joe Chan, 4. Nick Meaney, 5. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown, 6. Tyran Wishart, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Tui Kamikamica, 9. Bronson Garlick, 10. Josh King, 11. Shawn Blore, 12. Eliesa Katoa, 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 14. Jonah Pezet, 15. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16. Lazarus Vaalepu, 17. Ativalu Lisati, 18. Jack Howarth, 19. Trent Loiero, 20. Cameron Munster, 21. Harry Grant, 22. Kane Bradley, 23. Moses Leo, 24. Keagan Russell-Smith
Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
With Origin now in the rear-vision mirror, the run to the finals begins. Kicking off Super Saturday is a desperate Newcastle team against the high-flying Melbourne Storm.
The Knights are already at must-win territory, with six wins and 10 losses, while the Storm have quietly gone about their work to sit second on the table, two points behind leaders Canberra.
Making the job harder for the Knights is the loss of Kalyn Ponga for the season due to a Lisfranc injury. Coach Adam O’Brien has named Fletcher Hunt to fill the fullback role in Ponga’s absence, with Dane Gagai assuming the captaincy. Greg Marzhew and Leo Thompson return to the starting side, with James Schiller and Thomas Cant dropping to the reserves.
Craig Bellamy has named most of his Origin players among the reserves, with only New South Wales’ Stefano Utoikamanu on the interchange. Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Trent Loiero, and Xavier Coates will enjoy extra time off to celebrate the Maroons’ big win in Origin 3. Ryan Papenhuyzen also returns to the side from injury, with Nick Meaney moving to the three-quarter line and Kane Bradley to the reserves.
Statistics don’t often mean much in rugby league, but the stark contrast in the scoring ability of the two teams tells a tale. The Storm rank first for points scored, with 485 in 15 games (averaging 32.33 per game). The Knights rank last in that category, managing just 237 in 16 games (14.81 per game). The Storm also rank second for fewest points conceded (283, 18.83 per game), while the Knights sit third (304, 19 per game).
McDonald Jones Stadium has been anything but home, sweet home for the Knights in 2025, with only two wins from eight games, with the Golden Point win against Manly the only one since round 2. The Storm struggled on the road early in the season, losing four of their first five away from Melbourne, but have won their past three, albeit unconvincingly, as part of their five-match winning run.
Unsurprisingly, the Storm have the better of the head-to-head between these two teams, with 32 wins from 49 matches. They’ve also won 12 of the last 14 between the two, but lost two of the last three, both in Newcastle.
Even though they’re resting most of their big guns, the Storm should be too strong for a Ponga-less Knights, though the home side could keep it closer than most people expect.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Storm by 8 points.
Check out our round 19 predictions here.
What’s your prediction? Drop it in the comments below.
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