McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 13 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Manly Sea Eagles. 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. Manly Sea Eagles game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday May 28, 2023 at 4:05 pm

Where: McDonald Jones Stadium

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Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview

Overlooked Maroons duo Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai will have plenty to prove as Newcastle Knights aim to take advantage of the Origin drain when they host Manly Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon.

After being dumped as Queensland’s No.1, Ponga will revert to fullback for Newcastle at the expense of Lachie Miller, with Tyson Gamble to start at five-eighth.

Jack Johns comes into the second-row for recalled NSW veteran Tyson Frizell.

Following their exhilarating, Ponga-led 46-26 home win over the Titans, the Knights were outplayed 26-6 by the Sharks in Coffs Harbour – with Connor Tracey’s domination of Gagai one of the glaring aspects of a disappointing performance.

Manly turned a horrid three-game slide around with a stunning 42-14 upset in Canberra on the back of a rejuvenated Tom Trbojevic and Josh Schuster, staying within a point of the Top 8.

The Sea Eagles are without Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, while all three Trbojevics are unavailable: Tom is the NSW side, certain Blues selection Jake has a calf complaint and Ben is also injured.

Kaeo Weekes goes to fullback, Cooper Johns will play halfback, Toafofoa Sipley comes straight in at prop and Christian Tuipolotu joins the bench.

The teams played out a remarkable 32-all golden point draw in Mudgee in Round 5 after Manly had won both encounters last season by 24-plus margins.

The Sea Eagles’ line-up changes shapes as an insurmountable hurdle, however, and there looks to be a massive leadership void with DCE, Jake and ‘Turbo’ out.

Expect a big game from Ponga back in arguably his best position.

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Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Tip

Newcastle Knights vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jack Johns 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Lachlan Miller 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Adam Clune 22. Kurt Mann

Sea Eagles team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Tolutau Koula 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Cooper Johns 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Sean Keppie 14. Christian Tuipulotu 15. Karl Lawton 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Condon 18. Morgan Boyle 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Dean Matterson 21. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 22. Morgan Harper