The Newcastle Knights are on their way to the finals, and they’ll enter Sunday’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans as overwhelming favourites. With key players returning and the Titans struggling for form, the Knights have a golden opportunity to build momentum ahead of September.

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Matchday Details

Sunday, 16 August 2026 – 2:00pm AEST – McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
📺 Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Liam Kennedy | Bunker: Chris Butler

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Cody Hopwood, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mat Croker, 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Tyson Frizell, 16. Lachlan Crouch, 17. Thomas Cant, 18. Fletcher Hunt, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Kyle McCarthy, 21. Diesel Hagan, 22. Toby Winter

Titans: 1. Keano Kini, 2. Dean Ieremia, 3. Jojo Fifita, 4. AJ Brimson, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Jayden Campbell, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Moeaki Fotuaika (c), 9. Oliver Pascoe, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Josh Patston, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Chris Randall, 14. Kurtis Morrin, 15. Klese Haas, 16. Cooper Bai, 17. Bodhi Sharpley, 18. Sam Verrills, 19. Jaylan De Groot, 20. Arama Hau, 21. Siale Faeamani, 22. Jett Liu

Match Preview

The stakes couldn’t be clearer for Newcastle. A victory over the Titans on Sunday will secure the Knights a place in the 2026 finals series, capping one of the NRL’s most remarkable turnarounds.

After finishing with the wooden spoon just 12 months ago, Justin Holbrook has transformed Newcastle into a genuine top-eight force and deserves to be firmly in the conversation for Dally M Coach of the Year honours. With the finals in sight and momentum building at the perfect time of year, the Knights have every reason to approach this clash with intensity.

Newcastle arrive in outstanding form and full of confidence. Impressive victories over Brisbane (30-6) and Canberra (30-24) not only strengthened their finals credentials but effectively ended the hopes of both rivals. Their only blemish in recent weeks was a narrow Round 21 defeat to the Roosters.

With home games against Manly and an away trip to the Warriors still to come before a final-round bye, the Knights are shaping as a side capable of making noise beyond the opening week of the finals.

The Titans, meanwhile, appear to be limping towards season’s end. Their victory over St George Illawarra likely ensured they would avoid the wooden spoon, but performances since then have been concerning. Heavy defeats to the Warriors (42-6) and Cowboys (30-8) have exposed ongoing issues in both attack and defence.

Things do not get any easier, with clashes against the Sharks, Rabbitohs and Dolphins still ahead. Playing for pride may be the only motivation left for the Gold Coast.

The Knights receive a timely boost with representative stars Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland both named to return after missing last week’s win over Canberra. Prop Pasami Saulo also returns for his first appearance since suffering a foot injury earlier in the season.

Newcastle remain without Jacob Saifiti (hamstring), James Schiller (neck) and Brodie Jones (hamstring), while Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas have been ruled out for the remainder of the year.

For the Titans, there is little relief on the injury front. Brock Gray, Zane Harrison, Jaimin Jolliffe and Jensen Taumoepeau will not feature again this season.

One bright spot is the NRL debut of highly rated Titans pathway product and Queensland Under-19 forward Bodhi Sharpley, who has been named on the interchange bench.

This game presents a fascinating contrast between a team preparing for finals football and another searching for answers.

The Knights will be focused on producing a complete 80-minute performance after last week’s win over Canberra. Newcastle dominated early but allowed the Raiders back into the contest, heading into halftime level at 18-all before eventually regaining control. That lapse is the sort of inconsistency the coaching staff will want eradicated before September.

The forward battle heavily favours Newcastle. Their pack has consistently laid the platform through strong middle-third carries and improved ruck control, while the Titans have struggled to match top-eight opponents physically in recent weeks. Fast rucks and winning field position should allow Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe to play direct and challenge tiring defenders around the middle.

The spine battle also tilts towards the Knights. Ponga’s influence continues to grow, while Sharpe’s running game has become one of Newcastle’s most dangerous weapons. The Titans have responded to their attacking struggles by recalling Lachlan Ilias at halfback to partner Jayden Campbell. However, Ilias has played just three minutes of NRL football since Round 9 and may need time to rediscover his rhythm.

Out wide, Newcastle’s strike power could prove decisive. Dom Young and Greg Marzhew present major challenges for a Titans side conceding 26 points per game. With Bradman Best returning to strengthen the left-edge attack, the Knights possess multiple avenues to points.

Ultimately, set completion rates and ruck speed are likely to determine the result. If Newcastle complete highly and control possession, they have the attacking class to post another 30-plus score. For the Titans to stay competitive, they must defend with far greater discipline and limit opportunities for the Knights’ dangerous spine.

The Knights hold an 18-15 advantage in the all-time head-to-head record and have dominated fixtures at McDonald Jones Stadium, winning 11 of 16 meetings.

While Newcastle have won three of the last five encounters, the Titans claimed both clashes in 2025. Their most recent meeting came at Magic Round, where the Knights stormed to a 36-12 victory with Dom Young scoring a hat-trick in a seven-tries-to-two performance.

The match will also mark a special occasion for Titans youngster Bodhi Sharpley, who is set to make his NRL debut from the bench.

Everything points towards Newcastle getting the job done.

They are in better form, have more to play for, welcome back key personnel and possess far greater attacking cohesion. The Titans’ defensive issues and attacking struggles were again evident last week, and it’s difficult to see where enough points will come from to trouble a finals-bound Knights outfit.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Knights by 20
Full Round 24 tips → /nrl-round-24-predictions-2026/
Bold call: (one sentence – e.g. first tryscorer, man of the match, score in last 10 mins, etc.)

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Matt Pritchard
Penrith Panthers Member 13120.

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