Match Discussion: Round 20 vs Warriors @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2025 - Round 20
Newcastle Knights v Warriors
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal (TICKETS)

Sunday 20 July 2025
NRL kickoff 4:05pm (6:05pm NZT)
Live on Fox, Kayo, Nine, 9Now, Sky Sport NZ

1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy

Out: Dylan Lucas (second row)
In: Tyson Gamble (bench)
Changes: Fletcher Hunt (fullback to centre), Dane Gagai (centre to fullback), Phoenix Crossland (hooker to lock), Tyson Frizell (lock to bench), Jayden Brailey (bench to hooker), Brodie Jones (bench to second row)

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Samuel Healey 20. Eddie Ieremia 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Kayliss Fatialofa

Out: Rocco Berry (centre)
In: Kurt Capewell (centre)

Referee: Grant Atkins
Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Phil Henderson
Video Referee: Chris Butler

HEAD TO HEAD - 1995 - 2025​

	TOTAL	NEWCASTLE	WARRIORS	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	52	25	26	1
MCD. JONES	22	14	8	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2023	Round 6	NEWCASTLE 34-24	McD. Jones	18007
2023	Semi Final	WARRIORS 40-10	Go Media	26083
2024	Round 4	WARRIORS 20-12	Go Media	24112
2024	Round 9	NEWCASTLE 14-8	McD. Jones	16094
2025	Round 8	WARRIORS 26-12	Apollo	17095

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
1995	Round 9	NEWCASTLE 48-6	Marathon	22136
1999	Round 25	WARRIORS 42-0	Ericsson	15385
2007	Round 20	WARRIORS 52-10	Mt Smart	11301

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 21	Round 22	Round 23	Round 24
NEWCASTLE	CANBERRA (A)	(BYE)	PENRITH (H)	NORTH QLD (A)
WARRIORS	GOLD COAST (H)	DOLPHINS (H)	CANTERBURY (A)	ST GEO ILLA (H)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 16		Round 17		Round 19
NEWCASTLE	DOLPHINS	W 26-20	CANBERRA	L 18-22	MELBOURNE	L 14-32
WARRIORS	PENRITH	L 18-28	BRISBANE	L 12-26	WESTS TIGERS	W 34-14

STATE OF PLAY: 2025 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
NEWCASTLE	13th	17	2	6-11-0	251	336
WARRIORS	4th	16	3	11-5-0	355	324

LOWER GRADES
NEWCASTLE	WARRIORS
NSW Cup BYE Jersey Flegg v Silktails, Cessnock Sports Ground, Saturday, 3:00pm	NSW Cup v North Sydney (MEL), North Harbour Stadium, Saturday, 10:00am (12pm NZ) Jersey Flegg v Melbourne, North Harbour Stadium, Saturday, 8:15am (10:15am NZ)

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

It's going to be a bit hard to get excited for any remaining games tbh lol

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Gamble and Frizell both on the bench. Crossland to lock.

 

[mozza91]

Like Gamble in the 14. Would’ve preferred McEwen starting though.

 

[Woody90]

I quite like the side apart from both the halves still there.

 

[macavity]

Don't like Brodie on an edge.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Friz back to the bench is an interesting development. Can see it being his idea slot next year if he signs, even despite the lack of middles. Shorter minutes holding it all together while the starters spell.

I know this week it’s probably just to save us from Crossland at 9 again.

 

[Zoidberg]

Don't like Brodie on an edge.

Better than Cant.

 

[Woody90]

Don't like Brodie on an edge.

I’m hoping McEwan will get some time there with Jones going back into the middle rotation. We don’t want to burn McEwan out too early because he’s a genuine prospect.

 

[Yosh]

Reckon on game day Hastings gets dropped and Gamble comes in?

 

[mozza91]

Reckon on game day Hastings gets dropped and Gamble comes in?

I’m keen to see how he goes in the utility role. It’s his best chance at FG spot for us next year.

 

[Old dog]

Reckon on game day Hastings gets dropped and Gamble comes in?

Hope so

 

[Old dog]

McEwen not quite ready for 80mins, Jones is more suited than at prop, filled in due to injuries, probably get relieved by McEwen and then cover prop

 

[Knight Tales]

Gamble as a utility is perfect. And should remain as such.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

The side can never look acceptable with the worst halves pairing in the clubs history. Unbelievable that the rosters biggest weaknesses are in the most important positions.

 

[slotmachine]

the worst halves pairing in the clubs history.

Surely Feeney/Lamb takes that prize?

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Surely Feeney/Lamb takes that prize?

Vomit...