The St George Illawarra Dragons close out their season against the Newcastle Knights at UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Saturday (3.00pm).
While the Dragons are unable to qualify for the finals, they aim to end their season on a high and send departing players second-rower Ben Creagh, prop Mike Cooper, halfback Benji Marshall and hooker Mitch Rein out with a win.
Click Here For Round 26 v Newcastle Knights Game Day Information!
Head Coach Paul McGregor has named an extended 20-man squad for the fixture, with Marshall taking the place of Drew Hutchison, who re-joins the Illawarra Cutters ahead of their finals tilt earlier that day.
Furthermore, centre Taane Milne return to the run on side, while utilities Will Matthews and Siliva Havili have been added to the bench.
Newcastle Knights
The Knights, who have lost their last 17 games and currently sit on the bottom of the competition table, will too look to end their forgettable season on a positive note.
Having played their last four games at Hunter Stadium, the Knights will be hitting the road for the first time since Round 21.
The visitors have been boosted with the inclusion of speedy winger Nathan Ross, while exciting youngsters Daniel and Jacob Saifiti will pair together in the front row.
|
St George Illawarra Dragons (11th) |
Newcastle Knights (16th) |
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Record |
9 wins, 14 losses |
1 win, 21 losses, 1 draw |
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Points |
313 |
14th |
279 |
15th |
Tries |
53 |
15th |
47 |
16th |
Line Breaks |
65 |
15th |
54 |
16th |
Tackle Busts |
638 |
5th |
548 |
15th |
Offloads |
255 |
6th |
212 |
12th |
Tackles |
8061 |
2nd |
7797 |
5th |
Missed Tackles |
604 |
11th |
835 |
1st |
St George Illawarra Dragons |
Position |
Newcastle Knights |
Josh Dugan |
Fullback |
Jake Mamo |
Kurt Mann |
Wing |
Nathan Ross |
Euan Aitken |
Centre |
Dane Gagai |
Taane Milne |
Centre |
Peter Mata’utai |
Jason Nightingale |
Wing |
Brendan Elliot |
Gareth Widdop |
Five-eighth |
Jarrod Mullen |
Benji Marshall |
Halfback |
Trent Hodkinson |
Leeson Ah Mau |
Prop |
Daniel Saifiti |
Mitch Rein |
Hooker |
Tyler Randell |
Mike Cooper |
Prop |
Jacob Saifiti |
Tyson Frizell |
Second Row |
Sione Mata’utai |
Ben Creagh |
Second Row |
Mitchell Barnett |
Jack de Belin |
Lock |
Jeremy Smith |
|
|
|
Joel Thompson |
Interchange |
Dylan Phythian |
Will Matthews |
|
Pat Mata’utai |
Jacob Host |
|
Korbin Sims |
Jake Marketo |
|
Sam Mataora |
Siliva Havili |
|
Josh King |
Tim Lafai |
|
Jaelen Feeney |
Luciano Leilua |
|
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Head To Head (Mitch Rein vs. Tyler Randell)
In what will be his final game for the Club, hooker Mitch Rein has been named to line-up against youngster Tyler Randell.
Rein has been one of the most consistent for the Dragons this season, making at least 40 tackles over the last 10 games, while averaging 42.9 tackles over the season.
The 24-year-old Randell, who has played in 18 games this year for the Knights, has been averaging 33.3 tackles per game, and promises to play a big part Newcastle’s future.
History (since 1999)
The Dragons have a great record against the Knights, winning 22 of the 32 meetings between the two clubs, including 16 of their last 21.
The Red-and-Whites have also won their last three against the Knights at this venue dating back to 2012.
Round |
Date |
Result |
Score |
Venue |
13 |
June 8, 2013 |
Win |
Newcastle Knights – 8 St George Illawarra Dragons – 14 |
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle |
26 |
September 7, 2014 |
Loss |
Newcastle Knights – 40 St George Illawarra Dragons – 10 |
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle |
5 |
April 4, 2015 |
Win |
Newcastle Knights – 0 St George Illawarra Dragons – 13 |
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle |
21 |
August 2, 2015 |
Win |
St George Illawarra Dragons – 46 Newcastle Knights – 24 |
UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah |
16 |
June 25, 2016 |
Win |
Newcastle Knights – 18 St George Illawarra Dragons – 30 |
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle |
Match Day Details
Date: Saturday, September 3
Venue: UOW Jubilee Oval, KOgarah
Gates Open: 10.30am
NYC: 10.40am
NSW Cup: 12.40pm
NRL: 3.00pm
Broadcast: FOX Sports
Click Here For Round 26 v Newcastle Knights Game Day Information!
