With just seven rounds remaining in the race to the finals, the Newcastle Knights host the Sydney Roosters in a crucial Friday night clash at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Roosters welcome back captain James Tedesco, while the Knights look to snap a two-game losing streak and strengthen their top-eight position. Read our full preview, including team news, key match-ups, prediction, and bold call.

Read Full Previews

Matchday Details

Friday, 24 July 2026 – 6:00pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
📺 Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Newcastle Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Dominic Young, 3. Fletcher Hunt, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Dylan Brown, 8. Tyson Frizell, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mat Croker, 14. Sandon Smith, 15. Cody Hopwood, 16. Lachlan Crouch, 17. Thomas Cant, 18. Harrison Graham, 19. Brodie Jones, 20. Kyle McCarthy, 21. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, 22. Connor Votano

Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco (c), 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Spencer Leniu, 11. Nat Butcher, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Hugo Savala, 15. Salesi Foketi, 16. Egan Butcher, 17. Connor Watson, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Taylor Losalu, 20. Benaiah Ioelu, 21. Tommy Talau, 22. Toby Rodwell

Match Preview

With just seven rounds remaining until the finals, every game is vital for teams still in the hunt. For the sixth-placed Newcastle Knights and third-placed Sydney Roosters, Friday night’s match at McDonald Jones Stadium will go a long way towards deciding their finishing positions.

There’s just one change for the Knights from the side that lost to Cronulla in Round 20, with Dane Gagai dropping out of the squad with reported calf tightness. Fletcher Hunt moves into the starting side at centre, with Cody Hopwood joining the bench.

The Roosters will enjoy a double boost, with captain James Tedesco returning at fullback following his Origin Game 3 concussion, while Robert Toia also returns to the side at right centre. Hugo Savala and Cody Ramsey both revert to the interchange.

After sitting in the top four two weeks ago, the Knights have suffered back-to-back losses by two points. Against South Sydney, they lost 26-24 after a late comeback fell short, while their loss to Cronulla last weekend came despite scoring four tries to three. They can’t afford to do that against a top-tier side like the Roosters, particularly given they sit two points behind fourth but two points ahead of eighth.

The Roosters were a long way short of their best in Round 20; however, they still managed to eke out a 14-6 win against the Storm. They’ll need to be better against a Knights side that badly needs to win, but a fifth consecutive win will keep them in good stead for a top two finish.

The return of Tedesco means the two opposing Origin fullbacks will go head-to-head and both will feel a sense of unfinished business. Kalyn Ponga’s send-off in the series opener put New South Wales on track for their unlikely comeback victory, which was sealed with Tedesco’s try on full-time. Ponga was among Queensland’s best performers in their big win in Game 2 while Tedesco was kept quiet. In the decider, Tedesco was ruled out through a head knock just before half-time, while Ponga was unable to impose himself in the game as the Blues ran out convincing winners. Both know the stakes in this game and will be keen to one-up their interstate rival.

There will also be intrigue on the edge as Fletcher Hunt and Dom Young take on Billy Smith and Daniel Tupou. Hunt replaces Dane Gagai and will have a big job holding the Knights’ right edge defence together, particularly inside former Rooster Young. Young lasted just 18 months at the Tricolours and they will know his defensive issues. Smith has made a powerful return to the side from injury and the partnership between him and Tupou continues to provide value. Tupou will equal Anthony Minichiello as the third-most capped Roosters player ever (302 games) and is just five tries away from becoming just the third man in premiership history to score 200.

The Roosters have won almost two-thirds of matches between the two sides, winning 40 of the 63 they’ve played since 1988. It’s an even more dominant record in recent times, winning 19 of the past 22. The Roosters have won the past five straight, not losing to the Knights since Round 1, 2022, and have also won the past five at McDonald Jones Stadium, with their last loss to the Knights there coming in 2019.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Roosters by 6.
Full Round 21 tips → /nrl-round-21-predictions-2026/
Bold call: James Tedesco to score two tries on his return.

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Lachlan Jeffery
Panthers lower grades reporter for The Western Weekender.

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