If they're not already considered heavyweights this year, Newcastle can all but confirm their status as top-four contenders by beating Melbourne on Saturday.
Unbeaten after four rounds (three wins, one draw) and playing with plenty of tenacity and skill under coach Adam O'Brien, the Knights made a statement by belting the Raiders last weekend.
A round earlier Canberra had easily accounted for the Storm, leaving some asking whether Craig Bellamy's men were a fading force.
But they responded with a tough win over South Sydney to steady their campaign and prop themselves up in the top eight.
Match: Knights v Storm
Round 5 -
home Team
Knights
4th Position
away Team
Storm
3rd Position
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
The Rundown
Team News
Knights: The Knights are 1-17, with Kurt Mann passed fit despite picking up an ankle injury last week. Lachlan Fitzgibbon (hamstring) failed to come up and he was omitted on Friday night along with Josh King. Tautau Moga and Phoenix Crossland dropped off the extended bench on game day.
Storm: Ryley Jacks starts at No.7 to replace Jahrome Hughes (broken hand) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona replaces Chris Lewis on the interchange. Brandon Smith will start again with Christian Welch coming off the bench, while Tom Eisenhuth replaces Max King on the interchange. Marion Seve, Cooper Johns and Nicho Hynes were the other players omitted from the initial 21-man squad named on Tuesday.
Match: Knights v Storm
Round 5 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Storm
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick LeeWinger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari TualaCentre for Storm is number 3 Justin Olam
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Storm is number 4 Brenko Lee
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Hymel HuntWinger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt MannFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell PearceHalfback for Storm is number 7 Ryley Jacks
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 David KlemmerProp for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Andrew McCulloughHooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel SaifitiProp for Storm is number 14 Brandon Smith
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Aidan Guerra2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Sione Mata'utia2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Kenneath Bromwich
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Herman Ese'eseLock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Tex HoyInterchange for Storm is number 10 Christian Welch
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Storm is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Tim GlasbyInterchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Storm is number 18 Tom Eisenhuth
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga was at his brilliant best last weekend and he now meets an equally electric fullback opponent in Ryan Papenhuyzen. The pair represented Australia together in touch football five years back and would surely love to outdo one another.
