Key posts
Your say – Knights or Eels?
Which Origin contenders will step up?
Just five minutes away from kick-off now, with Knights Kalyn Ponga and Jacob Saifiti and Eels Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax having their last chance to impress State of Origin selectors. Saifiti is said to be a bolter for a bench spot for NSW on the back of a couple of impressive 200-metre performances in recent weeks, while Lomax and Moses have starred on the Origin stage before – even if Lomax is low on match fitness.
Ponga’s form has been ordinary at club level but is almost a sure thing to get the nod for the Maroons due to his major rival for the role Reece Walsh being out injured. But another poor display tonight could result in Billy Slater looking to other options, like Dolphins speedster (and usual Maroons centre) Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Trainers hit with suspensions, fines for ball squirting
By Christian Nicolussi
Penrith and North Queensland have been hit with $10,000 fines after their trainers were caught on TV squirting footballs with water bottles.
Panthers football manager and blue shirt trainer Shane Elford sprays water on the ball before a golden point kick-off against North Queensland.Credit: @TeddyCJD
The incidents occurred during last Saturday’s 90-minute draw between the two clubs in Townsville.
Panthers trainer Shane Elford, who also works as the club’s general manager of football, and Cowboys’ Mitch Dunn were also hit with a two-match ban as part of the breach notice, but with one of those games suspended.
“The NRL has also reminded all clubs about the limitations of the roles of trainers on match days,” the NRL said in a statement.
“Any action, other than those permitted under the NRL rules, may be considered a breach liable to sanctions.”
Daley dilemmas: Who will returning Blues coach pick for Origin I?
By Adrian Proszenko
One of the criticisms of Laurie Daley during his first stint as NSW coach were his selections.
Considered too loyal to players who didn’t repay the faith, Daley will officially name his side for the opening game against Queensland on Monday.
These will be his biggest selection dilemmas.
Edwards or Tedesco at fullback?
Such is the fullback talent available in the NRL at the moment, that several star No.1s are likely to be picked for the Blues out of position.
The main debate surrounds who will wear the No.1 jersey. Dylan Edwards is the incumbent and, despite the Panthers having a slow start to their title defence, has done little wrong this year.
Tedesco, meanwhile, is playing as well as ever. The Roosters captain is averaging 203 running metres per game (189 metres for Edwards) and currently sits equal third in the Dally M medal standings.
Tonight’s line-ups: Knights v Eels
Dylan Lucas moves to centre to replace the injured Bradman Best (hamstring) for Newcastle, with Tom Cant starting in the second row and Jack Hetherington joining the bench, while Tyson Gamble replaces Jack Cogger in the halves.
For the Eels, Zac Lomax returns on the wing, while Luca Moretti will start in the second row in place of Matt Doorey, and Ryan Matterson joins the interchange.
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 11. Dylan Lucas 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 19. Tyson Gamble 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott.
Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Brodie Jones 17. Jack Hetherington
Parramatta Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 15. Luca Moretti 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood.
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Toni Mataele 17. Ryan Matterson
Storylines aplenty in Knights-Eels contrest
By Robert Dillon
Your say – Knights or Eels?
Best out of tonight’s game – and Origin contention
Bradman Best has suffered a hamstring injury that will rule him out of Friday night’s showdown with the Parramatta Eels and rule him out of Origin contention for at least the first two games of the series.
Bradman Best.Credit: Getty Images
Best has been hampered by hamstring injuries in the past and has suffered yet another injury blow on the eve of the clash with Parramatta.
Best is the Blues centre incumbent but was unlikely to earn a recall with the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton all ahead of him.
The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Knights, who have struggled in attack for the majority of the 2025 season.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our coverage of Friday night footy.
Dominic Brock with you on blog duties tonight, with Robert Dillon reporting in from Parramatta’s clash with Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium and Dan Walsh at Accor Stadium for the Bulldogs’ match-up with the Roosters.
Tonight’s 6pm clash is a big one for both Eels halves – Mitchell Moses out to impress NSW selectors with the Origin I team to be named on Sunday night, while Dylan Brown has the chance to make an impact against the club he will join at the end of the season. The Knights meanwhile are desperate to bounce back after losing six of their past seven games.
Then at 8pm the Bulldogs look to follow-up last week’s stunning comeback win over Canberra against a Roosters side fresh from a bye following two strong wins over the Dragons and Dolphins.
There are plenty of Origin hopefuls in that contest, led by Bulldogs outside backs Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz and Roosters veterans James Tedesco and Angus Crichton.
Follow on for all the action.
