The Dolphins head to Newcastle looking to extend their remarkable eight-game winning streak when they face the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium. With both sides missing key players through Origin duties and injury, emerging stars Dylan Lucas and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will have a chance to shine in what shapes as an entertaining Round 18 clash.
Read Full Previews
- Panthers vs Rabbitohs → Read full preview: panthers-vs-rabbitohs-round-18-preview-2026
- Dragons vs Wests Tigers → Read full preview: dragons-vs-wests-tigers-round-18-preview-2026
- Broncos vs Sharks → Read full preview: broncos-vs-sharks-round-18-preview-2026
- Eels vs Sea Eagles → Read full preview: eels-vs-sea-eagles-round-18-preview-2026
- Knights vs Dolphins → Read full preview: knights-vs-dolphins-round-18-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Sunday July 5 – 4:05 PM (AEST) – McDonald Jones Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Newcastle Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Fletcher Hunt 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Sandon Smith 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Cody Hopwood 17. Thomas Cant 18. Lachlan Crouch 19. Francis Manuleleua 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Tyson Gamble 22. Elijah Leaumoana
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Brad Schneider 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Tom Gilbert 16. Ray Stone 17. Brian Pouniu 18. Sebastian Su’a 19. John Fineanganofo 20. Sam Elliott 21. LJ Nonu 22. Zac Garton
Match Preview
The Dolphins make the journey into the Hunter Valley to take on the Newcastle Knights on a Sunday afternoon to bring a close to Round 18.
The visitors come into this clash on the back of an incredible eight-game winning streak and will need to be at their very best if they hope to continue on their winning ways. On the other hand, the Knights snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against the Tigers, with a late try to Bradman Best proving the difference and keeping the home side in touch with the top four.
The two sides will be missing a combined eight players from their last start this week due to Origin and injury, with the Dolphins accounting for six of those. An injury to Isaiya Katoa will see Bradley Schneider take his place in the halfback jersey, with a major reshuffle to cover for the loss of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jack Bostock, Max Plath, Selwyn Cobbo, and Thomas Flegler. The Knights have moved a pair of Fletchers to cover for the loss of their Origin reps, with Sharpe shifting to fullback and Hunt filling in a hole in the centres.
This clash will feature two backrowers given a taste of the rep arena in Origin Game 2, before being dropped for the decider, in Dylan Lucas and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Lucas is a tireless workhorse whose speed, agility, and ability to run a line make him a scary prospect for an opposition’s edge defence. Finefeuiaki also strikes fear into the opposition through his raw power and strength, and if he gets early ball close to the tryline, it should be panic stations.
It’s not very often that, barring injury, the bench utility options can be the difference between winning and losing, but that very well could be the case in this match-up. Knights rake Harrison Graham has shown plenty of spark out around the ruck, and can really up the tempo when given a platform from his forwards to work with. While on the other side of the ledger, Dolphins utility Kurt Donoghoe plays football like a man possessed, and will happily fill in anywhere from 1-13 if it means he gets to get his hands dirty.
Two centres who refuse to go down easy will be in full flight come Sunday afternoon, with Dane Gagai and Herbie Farnworth going head-to-head. The pair can bust the game wide open with a carry from anywhere on the field, leaving defenders in their wake, and finding a support runner with an offload. Farnworth leads the league in tackle breaks with 99, while Gagai trails by 15 (84 tackle breaks) to sit fourth, and the duo will be looking to add to that total during this game.
In the short history of the Dolphins, they have struggled against the Knights, winning just one of six clashes, with their sole victory coming in their first encounter back in 2023. The most recent battle between the two was decided by just six points, and with plenty of points on offer for both sides, this could be anything come the full-time siren.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 16
Full Round 18 tips → /nrl-round-18-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Trai Fuller to show why he is an NRL-quality fullback and put in a Man of the Match performance.
Want to try your hand at writing match previews?
We’re always looking for new rugby league contributors to share their thoughts on upcoming NRL games.
No experience needed — just strong opinions and a love of the game
👉 Get started here
Related
- Full Round 18 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-18
- NRL Round 18 Team Lists → /nrl-round-18-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
