SATURDAY MARCH 7 – WOY WOY OVAL
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v CENTRAL COAST ROOSTERS
- 12.30pm: Harold Matthews Cup
- 2pm: SG Ball Cup
Newcastle’s Harold Matthews Cup coach Matt McLaren said a return to the club’s original DNA has been a big part of his side’s success as the Knights look ahead to their round five derby encounter with the Central Coast Roosters at Woy Woy Oval.
The squad, who currently sits second on the ladder behind competition heavyweights Penrith, is looking to remain unbeaten on Saturday 7 March in a campaign where the team has continued to grow in stature throughout the season.
“We have been really big on instilling the club’s original values into this side and the players have responded accordingly,” he explained.
“We face a really tough couple of weeks.
“And, the local derby with the Coast is one of the ones we had circled on the calendar, with a tough two-week block in all as we have Penrith next week who are the benchmark.”
Ty Ennis will continue in the number seven jersey for the Knights, who’ll be bolstered by the return of Riley Rostron into the side to face the Roosters.
- TIP – Knights by 14
In the SG Ball, the Knights will look to bounce back after a disappointing outing last week against the Sydney Roosters, with this week’s opponents the Central Coast Roosters themselves coming off a 34-18 loss to the New Zealand Warriors.
Newcastle will need to improve significantly to return to its winning ways.
They’ll also require a much stronger defensive performance than the one the side addressed throughout the week.
- TIP – Knights by 8
WOMEN’S
SATURDAY MARCH 7 – REDFERN OVAL
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
- 10.30am: Lisa Fiola Cup
- 12.15pm: Tarsha Gale Cup
The Knights’ Lisa Fiola Cup outfit is keen to extend its winning streak to five straight games as it travels to Redfern Oval to take on the 10th-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Newcastle occupies third position on the ladder behind undefeated Canterbury and Parramatta, who are also enjoying unbeaten runs thus far in the competition.
South Sydney was comprehensively beaten 32-4 last week by the Bulldogs in a one-sided affair.
But, the Rabbitohs are a different assignment at home altogether at their spiritual base of Redfern Oval.
The Knights go into this contest with the same squad that defeated the Roosters last week and are full of confidence at the halfway mark of the competition.
- TIP – Knights by 14
In the Tarsha Gale Cup, the Knights face the 10th-placed Rabbitohs in what shapes as a danger game that could see Newcastle fall out of the top eight should they suffer a loss on the road.
The Bunnies are expected to make up to three changes this week and need to get moving quickly if they are any hope of finals football with an unfavourable draw approaching.
- TIP – Knights by 10
SENIOR REPS – SUNDAY 8 MARCH, CESSNOCK SPORTSGROUND
Newcastle’s Jersey Flegg Cup and Knock-On Effect NSW Cup sides get their campaigns underway for 2026 with a home fixture at Cessnock Sportsground against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
In the Jersey Flegg, Knights coach Alex Moore is yet to finalise his 17 to take on the Rabbitohs.
Newcastle finished in third position in 2025 and is expected to again be in the finals hunt in 2026 with a strong roster.
Kick-off takes place at noon.
Michael Dobson’s NSW Cup outfit gets underway at 1.30pm, with the home side featuring the likes of Connor Votano, Kyle McCarthy and Cody Hopwood.
Matt Arthur, in the hooking role, continues to develop as a player of promise and is one to watch in 2026.
- The Newcastle Weekly will include coverage of the Knights senior representative sides right throughout the 2026 season.
For more sports stories:
- Jets milestone man Wilmering on the ball for 100th match
- Exciting final round of Coalfields Cup produces the goods
- Eels show interest in former Knight following Zac Lomax saga
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
