Round 13 continues in Newcastle as the red-hot Knights look to extend their winning run against an inconsistent Eels outfit searching for answers. With form, confidence and a strong home record on their side, the Knights will be expected to deliver — but Parramatta’s unpredictability ensures this remains a contest worth watching at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Read Full Previews (links to all games)
- Sharks vs Sea Eagles → Read full preview: sharks-vs-sea-eagles-round-13-preview-2026
- Knights vs Eels → Read full preview: knights-vs-eels-round-13-preview-2026
- Wests Tigers vs Bulldogs → Read full preview: wests-tigers-vs-bulldogs-round-13-preview-2026
- Storm vs Roosters → Read full preview: storm-vs-roosters-round-13-preview-2026
- Broncos vs Dragons → Read full preview: broncos-vs-dragons-round-13-preview-2026
- Raiders vs Cowboys → Read full preview: raiders-vs-cowboys-round-13-preview-2026
- Panthers vs Warriors → Read full preview: panthers-vs-warriors-round-13-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Saturday, 30th May – 3:00pm (AEST) – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Name | Senior Review Official: Name
Newcastle Knights: Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Fletcher Sharpe, 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. Mat Croker, 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Tyson Frizell, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Cody Hopwood, 18. Thomas Cant, 19. Fletcher Hunt, 20. Francis Manuleleua, 21. James Schiller, 22. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, 23. Kyle McCarthy
Parramatta Eels: Isaiah Iongi, 2. Brian Kelly, 3. Jordan Samrani, 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Joash Papalii, 7. Ronald Volkman, 8. Luca Moretti, 9. Tallyn Da Silva, 10. Jack Williams (c), 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Jack De Belin, 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Charlie Guymer, 16. Toni Mataele, 17. Harrison Edwards, 18. Apa Twidle, 19. Teancum Brown, 20. Sam Tuivaiti, 21. Lorenzo Talataina, 22. Araz Nanva
Match Preview
The high-flying Knights host the struggling Eels at home in what is expected to be a straightforward victory that continues their surge up the NRL ladder.
After finishing as wooden spooners in 2025, it is hard not to call the Knights the most improved side of the season thus far. Sitting at seven wins and four losses, the Justin Holbrook era is already in full swing. Before their Round 12 bye, they recorded a convincing win over the Titans, marking their third-straight victory.
Meanwhile, the Eels continue to endure an up-and-down season. Prior to their Round 12 bye, they suffered a disappointing loss to the Storm, yet only a week earlier had come from behind to defeat the Cowboys in Townsville. If nothing else, it is perhaps their unpredictability that makes them most dangerous.
The Knights have named an unchanged side from two weeks ago, with Kalyn Ponga and Jacob Saifiti expected to back up from Origin. Meanwhile, the Eels welcome back Isaiah Iongi and Kitione Kautoga, but lose Junior Paulo and captain Mitchell Moses, further underlining their misfortune with injuries this season. Mid-season signing Harrison Edwards makes his debut for the Eels and is expected to fill a range of roles through the forwards as required.
On paper, the Knights should be winning this. The Eels have named the best side available to them despite being stretched well into their depth, but in some positions it barely resembles a NSW Cup outfit. As has often been the case this season, their starting forward pack does not look like one that will consistently win the collisions. Luca Moretti has battled valiantly, yet is simply not a starting prop at this level. If Saifiti and Trey Mooney are serious, they should be able to get on top of their opposite forwards early.
That said, one of the Eels’ key attacking weapons, Iongi, is back and will be raring to go. Earlier in the season, he was particularly lethal running over lines and asking questions of the defence, with his speed frequently contributing to missed tackles regardless of whether he ran or passed. Kautoga is a damaging ball-runner the Eels have sorely missed, and they will look for the likes of Joash Papalii and Dylan Walker to feed him short balls through the middle of the field.
Brown takes on his old side for the first time, and there is no better way to mark the occasion than with a big performance. Since moving into the halfback role, he has found a home at the Knights, often wearing the seven on his back without necessarily playing as the primary first receiver. His defence and ball-running remain as strong as ever, and against the far less experienced halves pairing of Ronald Volkman and Papalii, he should be looking to stamp his authority on the contest as the veteran playmaker.
The Knights hold a commanding home record against the Eels, with 20 wins to 12. Combine a packed Newcastle crowd on a Saturday afternoon with a much stronger side on paper, and the result appears to point only one way. Expect the Eels to compete strongly, but ultimately fall short against the Knights.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Knights by 10
Full Round 13 tips → /nrl-round-13-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Kalyn Ponga to back up Origin with a man-of-the-match performance.
Related
- Full Round 13 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-13
- NRL Round 13 Team Lists → /nrl-round-13-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
