Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm – Regular Season – Preview & Prediction | NRL 2023

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THE FACTS

When is Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm on and what time does it start? Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm will take place on Saturday 22nd July, 2023 – 08:30 (UK)

Where is Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm taking place? Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia

Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm? Click here for ticket information on 2023 NRL matches

What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here

Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL

THE TEAM NEWS

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

• Newcastle Knights earned a second victory in succession as they got the better of Wests Tigers last week and will believe they can make a late charge towards the top eight.
• The Knights are not too far off the teams above them but will need to put a winning streak together if they are to mount a serious challenge to play in the finals and their chances will be boosted here with the return of Dane Gagai in the centres.

Starting 13: Ponga, Young, Gagai, Best, Marzhew, Gamble, Hastings, D. Saifiti, Crossland, Thompson, Frizell, Fitzgibbon, Elliott – Interchanges: Mann, J. Saifiti, Hetherington, Croker – Reserves: Lucas, Tuala, Jones, Hunt, Clune

Unavailable: Jayden Brailey (Injured)

MELBOURNE STORM

• Melbourne Storm bounced back from their loss to Penrith Panthers by prevailing in their clash with Sydney Roosters last week to make it four wins from five.
• The Storm are still right in the mix to land the minor Premiership and owing to last week’s effort, it is little surprise that head coach Craig Bellamy has retained the same 17 from that contest.

Starting 13: Meaney, Warbrick, Smith, Olam, Coates, Munster, Hughes, Kamikamica, H. Grant, Welch, Loiero, Asofa-Solomona, King – Interchanges: Wishart, Eisenhuth, Sims, MacDonald – Reserves: Garlick, Lewis, Nikorima, Seve, Jennings

Unavailable: Dean Ieremia (Injured), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Injured), Eliesa Katoa (Injured), Aaron Pene (Injured)

THE PREDICTION

Newcastle Knights can ill-afford to lose many more matches if they want to be playing finals football and they have done well in their last two outings, racking up two successes. They will have to go up a level if they are to record another victory as they take on Melbourne Storm, a side that have won four of their last five games as they aim to secure a top four spot as the bare minimum. It is a daunting task for the Knights having lost the past 11 encounters with the Storm and it is hard to see that record ending here.