Dragons v Knights: McGuire, Burgess back; Klemmer, Lee return
St George Illawarra and Newcastle meet at Wollongong's WIN Stadium on Sunday desperate to turn the screws on their seasons after a string of losses for both sides in recent weeks.
Easter Sunday will again deliver a crucial contest for both sides at this stage of the season with the Dragons beating the Knights 22-13 in the corresponding Easter Sunday clash last year.
The Dragons produced an improved performance in their 24-12 loss to South Sydney last week but suffered their fourth defeat in a row while the injury-hit Knights have lost three on the bounce after two wins to start the season.
The two outfits have met on 41 occasions since 1998 with the Dragons holding a 28-13 win-loss record overall against the Hunter side.
They'll play for the Alex McKinnon Cup for the eighth time in honour of the former Knights and Dragons forward.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Knights
The Rundown
Team news
Dragons: The Red V are 1-18. Josh Kerr earns a promotion in the starting side with Aaron Woods dropping back to the bench while Josh McGuire returns from suspension. Tyrell Fuimaono and Tyrell Sloan dropped out before kick-off. George Burgess is included on the bench.
Knights: Adam Clune (knee) is a late withdrawal after failing to get through Saturday's final training run, replaced by Phoenix Crossland in the halves. Jacob Saifiti switches with brother Daniel and will start alongside David Klemmer, moving the NSW representative to the bench. Simi Sasagi comes into the 17 as a bench utility.
Match: Dragons v Knights
Round 6 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Moses MbyeFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac LomaxCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele RavalawaWinger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jack BirdFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake Clifford
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Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Josh KerrProp for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tariq Sims2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
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Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Talatau AmoneInterchange for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake LawrieInterchange for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Josh McGuireInterchange for Knights is number 17 Sauaso Sue
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 George BurgessInterchange for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
Reserves
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Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Tautau MogaReplacement for Knights is number 20 Tex Hoy
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Zac Lomax v Bradman Best: Two specialist centres on their edge that offer a point of difference in attack. Lomax is averaging 122 running metres so far in 2022 with 11 tackle busts while Best has scored two tries and eight tackle busts to his name.
Stat attack
The Knights are leading the competition with 3,199 kick metres with Jake Clifford (2139m) doing most of the work with the boot. The Dragons (2549m) are ranked 11th in this area.
