NRL Trial Match Preview: Knights v Eels

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 16 Feb 2023, 01:03 PM

The Eels will wrap up their pre-season campaign with a trip to Gosford to tackle the Knights on Friday.

After blowing out the cobwebs against Penrith last week, the Eels will bring their key players to the fore and put the finishing touches on their preparation for the 2023 NRL season.

Both sides suffered defeat in the first round of the Pre-Season Challenge with key players sitting out, but the introduction of new faces and combinations on the Central Coast sets the scene for an intriguing encounter.

Inside PARRAdise: Pre-Season Challenge

Eels coach Brad Arthur will hand eight players their first minutes of the season, including co-captains Clint Gutherson and Junior Paulo.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Friday 17 Feb

Full Time

Knights

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Knights is number 2 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Eels is number 2 Isaac Lumelume
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Eels is number 4 Zac Cini
Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young

Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson
Prop for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Jake Arthur
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Leo Thompson

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jack Murchie
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Johns

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Makahesi Makatoa
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Tyson Gamble

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Wiremu Greig

Reserves

Reserve for Knights is number 19 Hymel Hunt

Reserve for Eels is number 18 Jordan Rankin
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Krystian Mapapalangi

Reserve for Eels is number 19 Ofahiki Ogden
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Bailey Hodgson

Reserve for Eels is number 20 Jirah Momoisea
Reserve for Knights is number 22 Brodie Jones

Reserve for Eels is number 21 Ky Rodwell
Reserve for Knights is number 23 Dylan Lucas

Reserve for Eels is number 22 Toni Mataele
Reserve for Knights is number 24 Adam Clune

Reserve for Eels is number 23 Matthew Komolafe
Reserve for Knights is number 25 Thomas Cant

Reserve for Eels is number 24 Jayden Yates
Reserve for Knights is number 26 Oryn Keeley

Reserve for Eels is number 25 Ryan Matterson
Reserve for Knights is number 27 Ben Talty

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 2/26/2023 11:04:00 PM

Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Will Penisini join the side, as do new recruits J’maine Hopgood and Jack Murchie for their first outings in the Blue & Gold.

Hopgood comes in on the back of a strong showing for the Indigenous All Stars, in which he made 118 run metres and a game-high 45 tackles. He will wear the no. 13 jersey as he eyes a starting spot for Round 1.

Josh Hodgson will line up alongside the Eels' spine for the first time.

Following his maiden Eels appearance last week, Josh Hodgson will have the opportunity to combine with Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses in a game setting. The spine has shown plenty of promise in pre-season training and will be on display for the first time against the Knights.

New combinations will be a theme of the night, with Newcastle also debuting a new-look spine. Halfback Jackson Hastings and fullback Lachie Miller will be introduced to the Knights fold, while Kalyn Ponga runs out at five-eighth for the first time.

NRL Trial Match Highlights: Panthers v Eels

Several strong performers from the Eels’ first trial match are set for another opportunity to impress Brad Arthur in Sean Russell, Zac Cini, Isaac Lumelume and Matt Doorey.

Russell’s 211 run metres, Cini’s two tries, Lumelume’s four-pointer and Doorey’s try assist against Penrith have all been recognised with the quartet set to start the match as they each push for NRL selection.

Cini scores a scintillating second

The Newcastle trial is the Eels’ final match before their NRL season-opener against Melbourne in two weeks’ time, raising the stakes for all 26 players selected.

The match will be followed by a meeting between the Roosters and Sea Eagles as part of an Industree Group Stadium double-header.