After missing the mark in Round 1, the Knights bounced back last week in a big way, but will need to be on their game this week when they host a buoyant Warriors.
Newcastle proved too strong for the Cowboys last week in their 26-6 win, where they showed plenty of intent from the outset to shut down their opponents.
Playing at home for the first time since 2019, the Warriors also posted a strong win, keeping the Eels scoreless in their 14-0 victory.
While many of their cross-code stars stood up with another game of rugby league under their belt, including tackle-busting winger Michaela Brake and crafty five-eighth Patricia Maliepo; the experience from the likes of Harata Butler and Laishon Albert-Jones in the middle helped set up the celebrated win.
Former Knights coach Ron Griffiths will return to face off against the club he helped guide to back-to-back premierships, with Albert-Jones and Emmanita Paki both winning silverware with the club as well.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
8th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: Minimal changes for the Knights who bounced back with a strong win last week, with Tess Staines named on the wing in the place of Lilly-Ann White who has been listed in the extended reserves. The new 18th player for the match is Viena Tinao, with Joeli Morris remaining in the reserves.
Warriors: Coach Ron Griffiths has named an unchanged line-up for the third week in a row as he prepares to face his old team that he helped lead to so much success. Lock Latisha Albert-Jones has been a key performer in both the Warriors games so far, including last week's historic win, and will also be gearing up to play her former team where she won the 2023 premiership. Centre Emmanita Paki was in the lineup for Knights the 2022 premiership victory as well.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Botille Vette-WelshFullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Warriors is number 2 Michaela Brake
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Tenika WillisonCentre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita Paki
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Tess StainesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia Maliepo
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Emily Curtain
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Warriors is number 8 Harata Butler
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri Paekau
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Tiana DavisonProp for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia Kitai
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Evah McEwen2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Shakira Baker
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah Atai
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-Jones
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jules KirkpatrickInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Lydia Turua-Quedley
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Maarire Puketapu
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Sienna YeoInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Matekino Gray
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 18 Viena TinaoReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Makayla Eli
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Lilly-Ann WhiteReserve for Warriors is number 19 Avery-Rose Carmont
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Reserve for Knights is number 20 Joeli MorrisReserve for Warriors is number 20 Ivana Lauitiiti
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Reserve for Knights is number 21 Keighley SimpsonReserve for Warriors is number 21 Tyra Wetere
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Reserve for Knights is number 22 Evie JonesReserve for Warriors is number 22 Metanoia Fotu Moala
Knights Ins
- Evie Jones
- Keighley Simpson
- Tess Staines
- Viena Tinao
Warriors Ins
- Avery-Rose Carmont
- Ivana Lauitiiti
- Metanoia Fotu Moala
- Tyra Wetere
Knights Outs
Warriors Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won 10 of their last 12 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Only three Warriors players (Laishon Albert-Jones, Emily Curtain and Harata Butler) have played at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has scored 10 tries in her last nine games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
