Matchday Details
Friday, August 8 – 6pm (AEST) – McDonald Jones Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Knights
1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Thomas Cant 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Tyson Gamble 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Matthew Arthur
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali’i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Jack Cole 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton
Match Preview
There are multiple changes for the Knights who are coming off the bye, their last start a heavy 44-18 loss to the Raiders in Round 21. They get a big boost with Bradman Best named to return from a knee injury, while Jake Arthur has been given the nod to start in the halves in his club debut. Tyson Gamble drops back into the reserves alongside Jackson Hastings and Jack Hetherington, with Thomas Cant and Elijah Leaumoana picked on the bench.
For the Panthers, co-captain Isaah Yeo will miss this clash with a shoulder injury, while Luron Patea is also sidelined. Isaiah Papali’i will take Yeo’s spot in the lock position, while Liam Martin has also been named to start in the second row. Scott Sorensen also returns for Penrith from a leg injury.
The Panthers come into this match on an eight-game win streak, their last loss actually coming against the Knights way back in Round 12. Penrith were lucky to escape with the two points last week in a golden point victory over the Titans. They were in cruise control, leading 24-0 at halftime before the Titans roared back into the contest, taking a two-point lead late. Enter Nathan Cleary, who drilled a two-point field goal to send it into extra time, before Blaize Talagi scored the sealer.
It continues to be a disappointing year for Newcastle, who is languishing down in 14th position on just six wins. Finals may be out of reach, but the Knights will head into this contest with plenty of confidence, knowing they defeated Penrith last time they met, albeit without their Origin stars.
Recent history still favours the defending premiers, however, with that last Knights victory their only win over Penrith in the past eight matches between the two sides. Much of the focus will be on Arthur and how he performs in his first game for the club, while Dane Gagai will be required to step up and provide the spark in attack if his side is to prevail on Friday. The Titans showed the Panthers defence can still be cracked, it is just a question of if the Knights can expose them two weeks in a row.
Even without Yeo, the Panthers likely received an important wake-up call in their escape against Gold Coast, and on paper they just boast far too much firepower, even with Newcastle holding home field advantage.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Panthers by 12
See our full Round 22 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 23 Writer Predictions
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