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.

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. 

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.

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 official annual of the NRL.