Match Discussion: Round 6 vs Wests Tigers @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2025 - Round 6
Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal (TICKETS)

Sunday 13 April 2025
Kickoff 4:05pm AEST
Live on Nine, 9Now, Fox, Kayo.

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kyle McCarthy 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Brodie Jones 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker 18. Paul Bryan 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Riley Jones 21. Francis Manuleleua

Out: James Schiller (wing), Jack Cogger (halfback), Jacob Saifiti (front row), Adam Elliott (lock), Jack Hetherington (bench)
In: Kyle McCarthy (wing), Brodie Jones (front row), Kai Pearce-Paul (second row), Matthew Arthur (bench), Tyrone Thompson (bench), Paul Bryan (reserve), Jackson Hastings (reserve), Riley Jones (reserve), Francis Manuleleua (reserve)
Changes: Phoenix Crossland (hooker to halfback), Tyson Frizell (second row to lock), Jayden Brailey (bench to hooker)

1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Luke Laulilii 21. Brent Naden 22. Kit Laulilii

Out: Latu Fainu (halfback)
In: Jeral Skelton (wing), Jarome Luai (halfback), Samuela Fainu (second row), Heath Mason (reserve), Brent Naden (reserve), Kit Laulilii (reserve)
Changes: Tony Sukkar (bench to reserve), Luke Laulilii (wing to reserve), Jack Bird (second row to bench)

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Chris Sutton
Video Referee: Grant Atkins

HEAD TO HEAD - 2000 - 2025​

	TOTAL	NEW	WST	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	39	22	17	0
MCD. JONES	21	12	9	0

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2023	Round 2	NEW 14-12	Leichhardt	13214
2023	Round 20	NEW 34-18	McD. Jones	18470
2024	Round 10	NEW 20-14	Scully	10107
2024	Round 23	NEW 34-18	McD. Jones	22183
2025	Round 1	NEW 10-8	Campbelltown	13160

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2001	Round 10	NEW 56-6	Marathon	15105
2019	Round 23	WST 46-4	Campbelltown	11107

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 7	Round 8	Round 9	Round 10
NEWCASTLE	CRO (H)	WAR (A)	SOU (A)	GLD (H)
WESTS TIGERS	PAR (H)	CRO (H)	SGI (H)	MEL (A)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 3		Round 4		Round 5
NEWCASTLE	GLD	L 6-26	BYE	-	CBY	L 0-20
WESTS TIGERS	DOL	W 30-18	WAR	L 24-26	BRI	L 24-46

STATE OF PLAY: 2025 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
NEWCASTLE	9th	4	1	2-2-0	42	66
WESTS TIGERS	11th	5	0	2-3-0	118	106

 

[perverse]

Nope, sorry. Don't want to watch this one. Bugger off.

 

[Woody90]

Are we even going to be able to field a team?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Nope, sorry. Don't want to watch this one. Bugger off.

Yeah, if Cogger is picked again I won't be either.

 

[ryan.a87]

You could see how frustrated ponga and aob were getting at Cogger during the game

I can’t imagine a world of him being picked again

 

[mozza91]

You could see how frustrated ponga and aob were getting at Cogger during the game

I can’t imagine a world of him being picked again

If Gamble is still hurt he will be unfortunately. Hastings is obviously a better player but he won’t play FG again unless there is no other option.

 

[Nuke]

You can't imagine it, or you really don't want it?

I'm in that 2nd category, like probably all the rest of us, but I can certain see it happening again. Probably even this week. Fun times ahead.

 

[Woody90]

Unless there’s a bigger issue with the finger Cogger’s going to get picked. AOB’s presser was telling. He said without any hesitation that Cogger would be good to go next week, and didn’t seem sure when he was asked about Gamble. If he had immediate plans to drop Cogger at that time you’d think he’d be a bit more in the know about a return date for the likely replacement.

As much as I hate Cogger, I’m not sure Gamble will make a huge difference unless we improve our errors significantly. If Ponga can’t do anything with terrible field position I’m not sure anyone could.

 

[Apey]

Id even put Pryce in instead of Cogger. We haven't shipped him out yet right?

We all know Cogger will play again though.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Id even put Pryce in instead of Cogger. We haven't shipped him out yet right?

We all know Cogger will play again though.

Pryce is gone already

 

[Old dog]

It will be Crossland 7

 

[Woody90]

I'd be happy with Crossland coming in short-term if Gamble's not due back. He's not a halfback but he's at least quick and can tackle which is a big upgrade on Cogger.

Also gives an opportunity to give Arthur some game time. Win win.

 

[macavity]

Cogger surgery on the finger today, sounds touch-and-go.

I think they name him but he doesn't play.

Any way you slice it, they are a much better side than us right now. This could get embarrassing.

Not feeling good about the rest of the year. Honestly haven't seen anything, even in victories, to give me confidence.

 

[Jono078]

I’m in the same boat.

I don’t get it though. We look like we’ve finally figured out our D but our attack has just been so shit. So there’s some hope that can be turned around. We’re still the second best defensive team and that’s after putting ourselves under enormous pressure. If we give our selves half a chance by not being derps in attack, then we’re in every game.

 

[League Unlimited News]

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kyle McCarthy 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Brodie Jones 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

14. Matthew Arthur 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker

18. Paul Bryan 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Riley Jones 21. Francis Manuleleua

CHANGES
Out: James Schiller (wing), Jack Cogger (halfback), Jacob Saifiti (front row), Adam Elliott (lock), Jack Hetherington (bench)
In: Kyle McCarthy (wing), Brodie Jones (front row), Kai Pearce-Paul (second row), Matthew Arthur (bench), Tyrone Thompson (bench)
Changes: Phoenix Crossland (hooker to halfback), Tyson Frizell (second row to lock), Jayden Brailey (bench to hooker)

NRL TEAMS - 2025 Round 6 » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

 

[Woody90]

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kyle McCarthy 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Brodie Jones 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell

14. Matthew Arthur 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker

18. Paul Bryan 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Riley Jones 21. Francis Manuleleua

CHANGES
Out: James Schiller (wing), Jack Cogger (halfback), Jacob Saifiti (front row), Adam Elliott (lock), Jack Hetherington (bench)
In: Kyle McCarthy (wing), Brodie Jones (front row), Kai Pearce-Paul (second row), Matthew Arthur (bench), Tyrone Thompson (bench)
Changes: Phoenix Crossland (hooker to halfback), Tyson Frizell (second row to lock), Jayden Brailey (bench to hooker)

NRL TEAMS - 2025 Round 6 » League Unlimited

leagueunlimited.com

I’m losing track of all the injuries, did we know about the Elliott one?

Obviously we’re up against it here. Lot of forwards and experience sitting out. Looking forward to seeing how T Thompson and Arthur go none the less and no Cogger is good.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

What happened to Elliott?

 

[Woody90]

What happened to Elliott?

He probably got injured getting onto the bus after the game

 

[mozza91]

Looking forward to seeing what Arthur can offer in the top grade. Happy for Thompson too. Crazy how injury f**ked we are after 4 bloody games. Tigers should be massive favourites.

 

[slotmachine]

Tyrone playing his 5th game of league in first grade is pretty cool.