A preliminary final spot is on the line when the Newcastle Knights host the Gold Coast Titans in the first NRLW semi-final. 

The Knights won back-to-back matches to surge into third on the ladder and book a home game in the opening week of the finals.

Halfback Jesse Southwell has orchestrated the team’s attack all season and led the side past a gritty Dragons squad last weekend. 

The Titans also needed a clutch performance from their halfback last week to book a finals berth, with Lauren Brown kicking a golden-point field goal to lift her side past the Raiders and into the top six. 

The playmaker knows plenty about delivering in the big moments at McDonald Jones Stadium after she kicked the game-winning field goal in Game Two of the 2024 State of Origin series. 

Southwell was the difference when the Knights defeated the Titans in Round 10, the halfback scoring the match-winning try in the 69th minute to break a 22-22 deadlock.

Team News

Knights:Prop Tayla Predebon will line up in Saturday’s semi-final despite picking up a calf injury in last week’s win over the Dragons, while Bo Vette-Welsh is set to complete her comeback from a concussion. Young gun Keighley Simpson is set for her second NRLW game after entering the fray as 18th player last week. The Knights will line up 1-17, with Joeli Morris the 18th player. 

Titans: A big boost on gameday for the Titans with Sarina Masaga cleared to return from a head knock. The youngster comes into the centres, with Georgia Grey shifting to the wing in her return from a concussion. Phoenix-Raine Hippi moves back to the interchange, with Takoda Thompson reverting to 18th player. One other tweak for Karyn Murphy, with Brittany Breayley-Nati to start at hooker and Lily-Rose Kolc shifting to the bench in the same gameday change that worked so well last week. Jasmine Solia is set to start at second row after being cleared of a shoulder injury.

Stat Attack

The Knights have won their last five games against the Titans.
Titans captain Georgia Hale will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has scored five tries in her last three games against the Titans.
Titans centre Georgia Grey has scored four tries in her last three games.
The Knights have won five of their six games at McDonald Jones Stadium this season.

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