McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 27 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Dolphins. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Newcastle Knights heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Dolphins game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday September 8, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins Preview
Barring a rare golden point draw, one of these teams will go through to the finals in eighth spot and the other will roll into Mad Monday a dream promotional result for the NRL in the last game of the regular season.
The quiet achievers of the run home, Newcastle has recorded three emphatic wins over battling teams and an unlucky golden point loss at Cronulla in its past four games. A Kalyn Ponga first-half double and Fletcher Sharpe second-half hat-trick spearheaded a 36-14 win over Gold Coast last Sunday.
Tyson Frizell (concussion) returns in a huge boost for the Knights, while Tyson Gamble (hand) is also back. Will Pryce and Thomas Cant drop off the bench.
After losing five of their previous six games and their spot in the Top 8 the Dolphins carved out arguably the greatest win in their short history last Saturday, crushing the Broncos 40-6 in front of 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
Wayne Bennetts backline rejig came up trumps with centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and five-eighth Jake Averillo scoring two tries each and recalled fullback Trai Fuller starring. Meanwhile, Herbie Farnworth was unstoppable at centre.
Jesse Bromwich and Kodi Nikorima (on the interchange) are big ins from concussion protocols. Isaiya Katoa and Lachlan Hubner drop out of the Dolphins 17. Felise Kaufusi received a charge downgrade at the judiciary and is free to play.
Since the Knights inflicted the Dolphins maiden defeat at Newcastle in Round 3 last year, the Dolphins have taken out clashes in Perth in late-2023 (30-28) and at Suncorp in Round 8 this year (18-14). Jamayne Isaako has scored six tries in the clubs three encounters.
The Knights are 6-4 at McDonald Jones Stadium this season, winning three of their last four. The Dolphins are just 2-5 outside Queensland in 2024.
But last weeks ambush of the Broncos had finals footy written all over it and the Bennett factor looks set to bring down another of his former clubs this weekend in what should be an absolute barnburner.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins Tip
We're tipping Newcastle Knights to win at $1.72 odds.
Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jack Cogger 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Sebastian Su’a 22. Kai Pearce-Paul
Dolphins team: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Jake Averillo 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Kodi Nikorima 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Isaiya Katoa 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Tesi Niu
