NRL 2021: Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons, round 4 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 4 Apr 2021, 03:08 PM

After looking good over the first two weeks, the Knights took a step back in losing to Wests Tigers at home in round three.

They stay at home for round four and welcome a Dragons side buoyed by back-to-back wins.

The absence of Jack Bird through suspension will hurt St George Illawarra, but if their forwards can match it with an imposing Knights pack the match is there to be won.

The winner could find themselves in the top four at the end of the round.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Sunday 4 Apr

Full Time

Knights

Dragons

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Knights: Coach Adam O'Brien has again swapped lock Connor Watson and interchange forward Suaso Sue on match day but otherwise the final Newcastle squad is 1-17.

The final omissions from the Knights' match-day squad are Brodie Jones and Dominic Young.

Bradman Best (elbow), a late withdrawal last week, misses the side and is replaced in the centres by Gehamat Shibasaki, who shifts in from the wing. Starford To'a is the new winger.

Five-eighth Blake Green, making his way back from a knee injury, is on the team list for the first time this season. Green has been named on the interchange bench in jersey No.17.

Forward Jacob Saifiti (leg) has been named on the interchange after having failed to finish the loss to Wests Tigers.

Simi Sasagi and Pasami Saulo dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off.

Dragons: No late changes an hour before kickoff with the squad confirmed to run out 1-17. Kaide Ellis and Jordan Pereira are the match-day cuts.

Adam Clune is the replacement for skipper Ben Hunt who suffered an impact fracture to his fibula in the win over the Sea Eagles and is scheduled to return in round eight.

Brayden Wiliame has been promoted from the bench to replace suspended centre Jack Bird after scoring a late try off the bench in the romp over Manly.

Max Feagai and Eddie Blacker were the players omitted from the extended squad on Saturday.

Round 4 - Round 4 - Sunday 4 Apr

Full Time

Knights

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matt Dufty
Winger for Knights is number 2 Starford To'a

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Cody Ramsey
Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Brayden Wiliame
Centre for Knights is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
Winger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh Kerr
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
Lock for Knights is number 14 Sauaso Sue

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tyrell Fuimaono

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 13 Connor Watson

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Poasa Faamausili
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Trent Merrin
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Blake Green

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jackson Ford

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:41:07 AM

Key match-up

Jayden Brailey v Andrew McCullough: The Dragons have looked a much more composed team as McCullough has started to impose his style of play on the team.

As for Brailey, after missing most of 2020 through injury he has been one of the competition's best dummy-halves so far and his performances look set to improve as the season continues.

Stat attack

They didn't get the win, but the Knights' starting forwards finished with impressive run stats on Sunday. David Klemmer led the way with 193m. He was well supported by Daniel Saifiti (167m), Connor Watson (151m), Mitchell Barnett (142m) and Tyson Frizell (114m).

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