The St George Illawarra Dragons will face the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, September 20 (4pm). This is not only your game day guide for not only Women in League Round but also for the Alex McKinnon Cup.
- Dragons out to spoil Knights' finals party
- Feagai, Sims named on interchange
- Knights ring in the changes
Alex McKinnon Cup
As they have done for the last five years, the Dragons and Newcastle will play for the Alex McKinnon Cup.
Not even Covid-19 and the struggles of 2020 could prevent this special occasion.
Having made his NRL debut at the Dragons back in 2011, McKinnon moved to Newcastle the year following.
McKinnon's career was tragically cut short in the early rounds of 2014 after a tackle gone wrong resulted in the now 28-year-old becoming a quadriplegic.
McKinnon's namesake cup is a fitting way to recognise Alex’s contribution to both clubs, which is played on the first occasion they meet each season.
The Dragons have a great record in Alex McKinnon Cup clashes, winning all five games so far! This including their 13-12 win golden point thriller back in Round 4 last year.
'From strength to strength'
Across the NRL this round, every match will celebrate Harvey Norman Women in League Round which pays tribute to the over half a million females involved in all aspects and levels of rugby league.
This year is the 14th rendition of the round, which has become an annual highlight in the NRL season. With the Dragons NRL Women's Premiership season just around the corner, there is plenty to celebrate this week.
This year's Women in League Round carries the theme 'from strength to strength' – paying tribute to the growing movement of females making an invaluable contribution to the betterment of the game overall.
Players talk about the superwomen in their life
Debutant alert!
Mere weeks after re-signing with the club for additional season, young centre Max Feagai has been given the nod to make his NRL debut from the interchange.
The 19-year-old former Australia Schoolboy and Under-18s New South Wales Origin representative will be joined on the pine by the returning Tariq Sims (shoulder).
Sims has faced a wretched season thus far but now has a fortnight to impress NSW Origin selectors that he's still up to the task.
Tyrell Fuimaono and Billy Brittain (concussion) are the two to make way as a result of the debutant and the old dog's return.
Max Feagai receives debut jersey from twin brother Mat
Ponga alert!
We don't mean to panic you again but Kalyn Ponga was sorely missed by the Knights of Newcastle last week, and is a big inclusion for them up against the Red V.
Ponga's return means Tex Hoy has shifted to five-eighth at the expense of Mason Lino.
Not to be outdone, Phoenix Crossland, Hymel Hunt and Mitch Barnett are also big ins for Newcastle at the expense of the suspended Kurt Mann and the dropped Gehamat Shibasaki and Josh King.
12 from 15
You read that heading correct. That's 12 wins from 15 matches against the Knights. Newcastle have only been able to trump the Dragons on only three separate occasions dating all the way back to 2012.
Their most recent win, however, came in our last clash which occurred at Mudgee's Glen Willow Stadium (Round 10, 2019). This fixture will be sure to give Adam O'Brien's men plenty of confidence.
