Match Discussion: Round 23 vs Penrith @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2025 - Round 23
Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal (TICKETS)

Friday 8 August 2025
NRL kickoff 6pm
Live on Fox, Kayo

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

Out: Kyle McCarthy (centre to reserve), Jack Hetherington (bench to reserve), Tyson Gamble (five-eighth to reserve), Jackson Hastings (bench to reserve)
In: Bradman Best (centre), Jakob Arthur (five-eighth), Thomas Cant (bench), Elijah Salesa Leaumoana (bench)

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaiah Papali'i 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Scott Sorensen 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Jack Cole 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton

Out: Isaah Yeo (lock), Luron Patea (bench)
In: Matt Eisenhuth (bench), Scott Sorensen (bench)
Changes: Isaiah Papali'i (second row to lock), Liam Martin (bench to second row)

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Sideline Officials: Michael Wise, Kasey Badger
Video Referee: Ashley Klein

HEAD TO HEAD - 1988 - 2025​

	TOTAL	NEWCASTLE	PENRITH	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	58	25	29	4
MCD. JONES	27	11	16	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2023	Round 7	PENRITH 16-15	McD. Jones	26084
2023	Round 17	PENRITH 20-12	BlueBet	18589
2024	Round 15	PENRITH 26-18	McD. Jones	27966
2024	Round 22	PENRITH 22-14	BlueBet	20261
2025	Round 12	NEWCASTLE 25-6	Carrington	12000

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2001	Round 26	NEWCASTLE 60-18	Marathon	17791
2019	Round 25	PENRITH 54-10	Panthers Stadium	12027

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 24	Round 25	Round 26	Round 27
NEWCASTLE	NORTH QLD (A)	BRISBANE (H)	CRONULLA (A)	PARRAMATTA (A)
PENRITH	MELBOURNE (H)	CANBERRA (H)	CANTERBURY (A)	ST GEO ILLA (A)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 20		Round 21		Round 22
NEWCASTLE	WARRIORS	L 15-20	CANBERRA	L 18-44	BYE	-
PENRITH	SOUTH SYDNEY	W 30-10	WESTS TIGERS	W 36-2	GOLD COAST	W 30-26

STATE OF PLAY: 2025 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
NEWCASTLE	14th	19	3	6-13-0	284	400
PENRITH	5th	19	3	11-7-1	450	367

LOWER GRADES
NEWCASTLE	PENRITH
NSW Cup v Manly, 4 Pines Park, Saturday, 2:00pm Jersey Flegg v Manly, 4 Pines Park, Saturday, 11:45am	NSW Cup v Newtown (CRO), Henson Park, Saturday, 3:00pm Jersey Flegg v Cronulla, Henson Park, Saturday, 12:30pm

 

[League Unlimited News]

INDIGENOUS JERSEYS

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
About the jersey:

Revealed: 2025 Indigenous Jersey

The nib Newcastle Knights are proud to unveil their 2025 Indigenous Jersey - a striking design that represents connection, strength, and cultural identity, crafted by local Indigenous artist Renae Lamb.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

PENRITH PANTHERS
About the jersey:

Panthers reveals 2025 Indigenous Jersey

Panthers is proud to unveil the 2025 Indigenous Jersey, a colourful tribute to Darug and Burramattagal people, land and culture.

www.penrithpanthers.com.au

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Honestly I think both of these indigenous jerseys are outstanding. Well done to both clubs nailing it.

 

[Yosh]

Honestly I think both of these indigenous jerseys are outstanding. Well done to both clubs nailing it.

Pity we probably stink it up with our horrible performance. Jersey does look excellent though!

 

[Apey]

Knights 13+

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Apparently Penrith may rest Yeo who's carrying a shoulder injury

 

[Apey]

Apparently Penrith may rest Yeo who's carrying a shoulder injury

rest is probably the wrong word, he's injured, he'll be out for a few weeks

 

[Apey]

6. Jake Arthur
7. Jack Cogger

Are you ready boys?

 

[mozza91]

6. Jake Arthur
7. Jack Cogger

Are you ready boys?

All of the halves we picked this year have been about the same level of shit. I have no problem giving Arthur a run he might turn out to be slightly less shit than the others. He’s been good in Cup at least.

 

[SamSepi0l]

6. Jake Arthur
7. Jack Cogger

Are you ready boys?

As soon as it's 7. Cogger the rest doesn't matter too much.

 

[Frederick]

AOB picking his halves each week:

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Man that's a pretty big sign that Gamble is out the door at the end of the year

 

[Old dog]

Can’t understand why the highly rated NSW Cup 7 is given a run in firsts but selected to play 6.
Even if he plays 7 with 6 on his back he will have Cogger as his playmate.
Surely better with Gamble at 6, Arthur at 7, they have at least played a few games together.
The other Arthur at 14 in place of Cant.

 

[Apey]

Gives me Mitch Pearce in Origin vibes - keep replacing everyone around him

 

[perverse]

AOB picking his halves each week:

Yes, but the ball marked "Jack Cogger" doesn't go for a spin, just sits on the desk waiting for its partner.

It's tough work being a Knights fan.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Right when there's talk of Arthur heading overseas we pick him
I wonder if the intent is to expose him to other local and overseas clubs.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Right when there's talk of Arthur heading overseas we pick him
I wonder if the intent is to expose him to other local and overseas clubs.

Why? Hes only contracted for 2025. What does the club get for it?

 

[HarVeeGee]

Sounds like a tough to swallow pill but I would say Cogger has handily outplayed both Gamble and Hastings this year. Gamble is just not fit atm so that's no shade on him but Jacko has been shithouse. Really really bad.

Cogger & Arthur deserve the jerseys on form.

 

[Apey]

Sounds like a tough to swallow pill but I would say Cogger has handily outplayed both Gamble and Hastings this year. Gamble is just not fit atm so that's no shade on him but Jacko has been shithouse. Really really bad.

Cogger & Arthur deserve the jerseys on form.

Yeah Gamble really hasn't had much opportunity, through fitness or whatever.

 

[perverse]

Sounds like a tough to swallow pill but I would say Cogger has handily outplayed both Gamble and Hastings this year. Gamble is just not fit atm so that's no shade on him but Jacko has been shithouse. Really really bad.

Cogger & Arthur deserve the jerseys on form.

They've all sucked, Jack has just had longer to settle than everyone else at this point.