The Panthers have won eight on the bounce to put all the contenders to their title on notice but it's worth remembering that the last team to beat the premiers was in fact Newcastle.
That Round 12 game in Bathurst may turn out to be a watershed moment for the champs, who went in without their Origin stars and came out with their tails well and truly between their legs.
They may have been a tad fortunate to escape with the two points on the Gold Coast last weekend but the hallmark of every great team is the ability rise when the chips are down and conjure a victory.
The Knights come in off a bye and get home ground advantage as they look to repeat the dose from Bathurst and put a huge dent in Penrith's top-four aspirations.
Match: Knights v Panthers
Round 23 -
home Team
Knights
15th Position
away Team
Panthers
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: A boost for the Knights with centre Bradman Best named to return from a knee injury suffered in Round 20. Jake Arthur comes in at halfback for his club debut with Tyson Gamble dropping to 18th man. Jackson Hastings and Jack Hetherington have been replaced on the bench by Thomas Cant and Elijah Salesa Leaumoana. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Panthers: The premiers have lost skipper Isaah Yeo to a shoulder injury so Isaiah Papali'i shifts to lock and Liam Martin starts in the second row. Scott Sorensen is back from a leg injury on the bench but Luron Patea (collarbone) is sidelined. Paul Alamoti and Mavrik Geyer remained in the squad when it was trimmed to 19 on Thursday.
Match: Knights v Panthers
Round 23 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Dane GagaiFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Fletcher HuntCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake ArthurFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Phoenix CrosslandLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaiah Papali'i
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Thomas CantInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Scott Sorensen
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Tyson GambleReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Paul Alamoti
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have not defeated the Panthers twice in a season since 2013.
- The Panthers have won seven of their past eight games against the Knights.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored 26 tries in his last 26 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Panthers centre Casey McLean has scored four tries in his last three games.
- Knights hooker Jayden Brailey will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
