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

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2024 - Round 23
Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal (TICKETS)

Sunday 11 August 2024
NRL kickoff 4:05pm
Broadcast live on Nine, 9Now, Fox, Kayo

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Thomas Cant 19. Sebastian Su'a 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

In: Brodie Jones (bench), Sebastian Su'a (reserve), Jackson Hastings (reserve), Will Pryce (reserve), Krystian Mapapalangi (reserve)

1. Jahream Bula 2. Solomon Alaimalo 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Adam Doueihi 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali'i 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal 18. Heath Mason 19. Tim Johannssen 20. Josh Feledy 21. Declan Casey 22. Tony Sukkar

Out: Justin Olam (centre), Latu Fainu (halfback)
In: Adam Doueihi (centre), Aidan Sezer (halfback), Fonua Pole (bench), Josh Feledy (reserve), Declan Casey (reserve), Tanous Sukkar (reserve)

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Sideline Officials: Jon Stone, Kieren Irons
Video Referee: Gerard Sutton

HEAD TO HEAD - 2000 - 2024​

	TOTAL	NEWCASTLE	WESTS TIGERS	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	37	20	17	0
MCD. JONES	20	11	9	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2022	Round 2	NEWCASTLE 26-4	McD. Jones	23214
2022	Round 21	NEWCASTLE 14-10	Campbelltown	9621
2023	Round 2	NEWCASTLE 14-12	Leichhardt	13214
2023	Round 20	NEWCASTLE 34-18	McD. Jones	18470
2024	Round 10	NEWCASTLE 20-14	Scully	10107

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2001	Round 10	NEWCASTLE 56-6	Marathon	15105
2019	Round 23	WESTS TIGERS 46-4	Campbelltown	11107

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 24	Round 25	Round 26	Round 27
NEWCASTLE	CRONULLA (A)	SOUTHS (A)	GOLD COAST (H)	DOLPHINS (H)
WESTS TIGERS	SOUTHS (H)	MANLY (H)	(BYE)	PARRAMATTA (H)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 20		Round 21		Round 22
NEWCASTLE	BRISBANE	L 14-30	(BYE)		PENRITH	L 14-22
WESTS TIGERS	SOUTHS	L 28-42	WARRIORS	L 16-28	NORTH QLD	L 30-48

STATE OF PLAY: 2024 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
NEWCASTLE	12th	19	3	8-11-0	332	437
WESTS TIGERS	17th	20	2	4-16-0	367	614

 

[Tigerm]

He has nothing to lose, he probably won’t play again this season if he loses anyway.

 

[Maxxn99]

Changes I’d like to see today are
6 Sezer c
7 Galvin
13 Seyfarth
12 Pole
10 Sam Fainu
9 De Silva
3 Doueihi
14 Koroisau
Only a few changes

 

[Tigerm]

I agree, it’s very slim.
But while we are a chance to avoid the spoon, we do need to put our best, fittest players on the field.

 

[Tigerm]

He has nothing to lose, he probably won’t play again this season if he loses anyway.

I like the guy , but he hasn’t been our most successful import has he.

 

[Tigerm]

I like the guy , but he hasn’t been our most successful import has he.

Olam to undergo surgery

Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam requires surgery on both knees and will miss the remainder of the 2024 NRL season.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[Tiger05]

I like the guy , but he hasn’t been our most successful import has he.

I reckon when he is on the park he has been good but he hasn't been on the park much.

He also appears to be starting to break down and is at the backend of his career.

 

[Tiger05]

I just saw the team. I like our pack and the bench is great. I'd prefer Pole starting and Sione Fainu off the bench but it's good. I assume Sione is out injured. If not he should be in first grade.

The backs are actually okay but I'd prefer Latu over Sezer but I assume Latu is out due to HIA protocols.

The outside backs are decent but Doueihi worries me. He is so hot and cold and teams know it and just run it at him.

 

[Tigerm]

I loathe not to back the team, but it’s getting harder to do so.
Just hope they have a good game and play with some pride and hope for an upset.

Suspensions and injuries have led us to inexperience, that will be OK for next year, but not now.

 

[Fordy20]

I reckon when he is on the park he has been good but he hasn't been on the park much.

He also appears to be starting to break down and is at the backend of his career.

It's another retirement contract. I figure this deal was pretty much sewn up before Richo started. Nelson is on a similar arrangement at the Storm. So far we've managed to avoid being stitched up again.

 

[Tiger05]

It's another retirement contract. I figure this deal was pretty much sewn up before Richo started. Nelson is on a similar arrangement at the Storm. So far we've managed to avoid being stitched up again.

We have to be careful because we give these guys their last contracts. These contracts also appear to be top dollar contracts when they shouldn't be.

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

who's going getting the yellow / red card this week lads?

My tip: It's Stef's turn. He'll do something equal parts stupid and lazy.

 

[Fordy20]

Sezer to be sent for another hip drop.

 

[Tigerm]

who's going getting the yellow / red card this week lads?

My tip: It's Stef's turn. He'll do something equal parts stupid and lazy.

Bula, for running into someone's swinging arm

 

[Maxxn99]

Sezer to be sent for another hip drop.

3rd time is the charm

 

[Nutz]

I just saw the team. I like our pack and the bench is great. I'd prefer Pole starting and Sione Fainu off the bench but it's good. I assume Sione is out injured. If not he should be in first grade.

The backs are actually okay but I'd prefer Latu over Sezer but I assume Latu is out due to HIA protocols.

The outside backs are decent but Doueihi worries me. He is so hot and cold and teams know it and just run it at him.

Yeh I'd rather Pole to start. He's the only one who acts like a proper forward in all areas.

 

[Tiger05]

Yeh I'd rather Pole to start. He's the only one who acts like a proper forward in all areas.

He has been our best middle this season but he did drop off for a bit.

 

[Nutz]

He has been our best middle this season but he did drop off for a bit.

Heavy shoulders

 

[Tiger05]

Heavy shoulders

He must be tired.

 

[Vic Mackey]

I just saw the team. I like our pack and the bench is great. I'd prefer Pole starting and Sione Fainu off the bench but it's good. I assume Sione is out injured. If not he should be in first grade.

The backs are actually okay but I'd prefer Latu over Sezer but I assume Latu is out due to HIA protocols.

The outside backs are decent but Doueihi worries me. He is so hot and cold and teams know it and just run it at him.

Doeuihi sucks, I’d give Feledy a crack

Tupou back in nsw cup, would have brought in for Staines

Otherwise as good as we can expect I guess