The Vodafone Warriors were right in the fight against the Dragons but for all their effort it was a third loss on the trot and another frustrating day for the players and coach Nathan Brown.
Leading 18-12 early in the second half the Vodafone Warriors had put themselves in the box seat to notch a fifth win of the season but errors again proved costly and the opportunity was lost.
The Knights started well enough against Brisbane and looked to be dialled in but their hopes were dashed by a couple of controversial calls and a late Broncos stampede which blew the scoreline out.
Both sides will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and keep touch with the top eight and whoever controls the ball best and maintains their discipline will come away with the victory.
The Rundown
Team news
Vodafone Warriors: Chanel Harris-Tavita returns to five-eighth with Daejarn Asi moving to the reserves. Addin Fonua-Blake (foot) is out, replaced by Jazz Tevaga at prop. Freddy Lussick will start at hooker in Tevaga's place with Taniela Otukolo the new man on the bench. Mid-season recruit Dunamis Lui is included in the extended squad after joining the club this week.
Knights: Enari Tuala comes in for Bradman Best (dislocated elbow) at left centre while Jake Clifford is back after a three-week break, replacing Adam Clune at halfback. Clifford will partner Anthony Milford in the halves after the former Bronco made his return to the NRL last week.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 12 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami VaileaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jake Clifford
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Ben Murdoch-MasilaProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy LussickHooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jazz TevagaProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
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Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu HarrisLock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Taniela OtukoloInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Aaron PeneInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Dunamis LuiInterchange for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Eliesa KatoaReplacement for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Reece Walsh v Kalyn Ponga: With a sunny afternoon forecast for Redcliffe, two of the NRL's great entertainers get the perfect stage to showcase their skills. Walsh is yet to recapture the form that made him an instant sensation in 2021 but he is capable of tearing the Knights apart if he is allowed room to move while Ponga seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to spark his team week after week. Having racked up 179 metres, two tackle breaks and two line breaks against Brisbane it feels like the Knights No 1 gun might just be ready to explode.
Stat Attack
The Vodafone Warriors and Knights sit 14th and 16th on the list when it comes to tackle breaks in 2022. Newcastle has come up with 292 tackle breaks with Dane Gagai (40) the top contributor. The Vodafone Warriors have had 274 tackle breaks with Reece Walsh leading the way on 45.
And another stat: Moreton Daily Stadium has been a happy home away from home for the Vodafone Warriors. They're four from four there beating the Bulldogs last year and Brisbane, North Queensland and Canberra so far this season.
