NRL Match Preview: Round 7 v Knights

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Sat 19 Apr 2025, 04:04 PM

The Sharks will invade enemy territory on Easter Sunday, storming the Knights' castle at McDonald Jones Stadium in search of back-to-back wins and a chance to climb the NRL ladder.

24-hour squad

After falling to the high-flying Bulldogs and losing to the Raiders on the bell, Cronulla returned to form with a 24-18 victory over the Sea Eagles in Round 6.

The result lifted them to ninth place heading into an encounter with Newcastle, who started the week ranked 12th following three consecutive defeats.

Given their taxing travel schedule, including last week's journey to Perth, a 3-3 record represents a solid start for Craig Fitzgibbon's Cronulla outfit as they prepare for their fifth game away from Sharks Stadium this year.

While the Knights have only mustered two tries in their past three starts, the Sharks know they're in for an intense match with a parochial crowd against them.

Newcastle's defence has been strong, conceding the second-fewest points (86) this season behind the ladder-leading Bulldogs through five games (note: the Knights had a bye in Round 4), while the brilliance of fullback Kalyn Ponga and a dangerous centre pairing means their attack could click into gear at any moment.

The last clash between the teams was a golden-point thriller, with Sharks playmaker Daniel Atkinson kicking the decisive field goal in a 19-18 win last year.

"We're excited for the challenges the year has for us and this week will be no different," Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo told the media.

"The faithful up there, they love it – it's a one-team town. Every time we come up against Newcastle it's been a tough contest. They play that tough, gritty football.

"We're really looking forward to getting there and having a good contest against them. They've got world-class players in their team – Ponga, Origin stars, their centres (Bradman Best and Dane Gagai); they've got strike all over the field.

"You don't want to be on the receiving end of them playing really good footy. For us, it's focusing on ourselves, taking it to Newcastle and putting our best foot forward."

Cronulla five-eighth Braydon Trindall is also embracing the opportunity.

"Newcastle is always a good trip and the crowd get behind them," he said. "They'll be up for it, so we've got to work hard this week and put a good performance in.

"We're looking for a bit of consistency in some things that we do. For the most part we've been pretty consistent with it, but we've got to keep fighting. Combinations are coming along with time but there's still plenty of combinations that need to get better ... Consistency with our edges, our middles and bringing it all together."

In team news, the Sharks have named an unchanged side. Enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake is set to play despite leaving the field against Manly with a groin niggle.

For the Knights, Tyson Gamble is listed to return from a back injury at halfback with Phoenix Crossland moving to hooker and Jayden Brailey to the bench. Winger James Schiller is also back on deck after going through concussion protocols.

Off the back of arguably a career-best performance that drew comparisons to Sharks legend David Peachey, the spotlight will be on Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy as he goes up against fleet-footed Newcastle magician Ponga.

Meanwhile, Sharks dummy-half Blayke Brailey will lock horns with brother Jayden for the fourth time in their careers. Jayden has a 2-1 record over his younger sibling.

The Sharks have won 28 of 61 matches against the Knights (one draw), including four of the past five. Cronulla last played at McDonald Jones Stadium in August 2023, going down 32-6 to a red-hot Newcastle side on that occasion.

Kick-off on Sunday is at 4.05pm AEST, with Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup matches taking place before the NRL fixture on a massive day in the Hunter.

See the updated 24-hour squads below.

Round 7 - Sunday 20th April

Full Time

Knights

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
Winger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Mawene Hiroti
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Tyson Gamble

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Thomas Cant

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyrone Thompson

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jermaine McEwen

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthy

Replacement for Sharks is number 20 Hohepa Puru

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 02:32 am Monday 21st April 2025

Stat Attack

The Knights have the second-best defensive record in the competition.
The Sharks have won four of their past five games against the Knights.
The Knights have scored 10 points across their last three games.
Sharks second-rower Briton Nikora has scored four tries in his last three games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored nine tries in seven games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.