Knights vs Raiders
Round 5 2026, Sunday 5 April 2026
Verdict: Knights by 3
KnightsRaiders
Result: Knights 32 defeated Raiders 12 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Sun 5 Apr, 5:05pm AEDT
- Venue
- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Ladder going in
- Knights 4th, Raiders 15th
- Referee
- Adam Gee
- Crowd
- 23,002
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Knights 33%67% Raiders
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Raiders | ✗ |
| Chris Barrett | Knights | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Knights | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Knights | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Raiders | ✗ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Raiders | ✗ |
| Billie Eder | Raiders | ✗ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Raiders | ✗ |
| Dan Walsh | Raiders | ✗ |
| Andrew Johns | Knights | ✓ |
| Emma Kemp | Raiders | ✗ |
| Neil Breen | Raiders | ✗ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knights | 4th | WWLW | -4.1 |
| Raiders | 15th | WLLL | -2.2 |
Last five games
Knights
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 4 | at Bulldogs | W 24–16 |
| Round 3 | v Warriors | L 12–38 |
| Round 2 | at Sea Eagles | W 36–16 |
| Round 1 | v Cowboys | W 28–18 |
| Round 27 2025 | at Eels | L 10–66 |
Raiders
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 4 | v Sharks | L 22–34 |
| Round 3 | v Bulldogs | L 10–14 |
| Round 2 | at Warriors | L 6–40 |
| Round 1 | at Sea Eagles | W 29–28 |
| Semi-Finals 2025 | v Sharks | L 12–32 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 23 | Raiders v Knights | 24–30 | GIO Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 21 | Raiders v Knights | 44–18 | GIO Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 17 | Knights v Raiders | 18–22 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 18 | Raiders v Knights | 12–16 | GIO Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 1 | Knights v Raiders | 12–28 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
Team lists
Knights
- 1 Fletcher Hunt Fullback
- 2 Dominic Young Winger
- 3 Dane Gagai Centre
- 4 Bradman Best Centre
- 5 Greg Marzhew Winger
- 6 Fletcher Sharpe Five-Eighth
- 7 Sandon Smith Halfback
- 8 Jacob Saifiti (c) Prop
- 9 Phoenix Crossland Hooker
- 10 Trey Mooney Prop
- 11 Dylan Lucas 2nd Row
- 12 Jermaine McEwen 2nd Row
- 13 Mat Croker Lock
- 14 Harrison Graham Interchange
- 15 Tyson Frizell (c) Interchange
- 16 Pasami Saulo Interchange
- 17 Thomas Cant Reserve
- 18 Tyson Gamble Reserve
- 19 Wilson De Courcey Interchange
Coach: Justin Holbrook
Raiders
- 1 Kaeo Weekes Fullback
- 2 Savelio Tamale Winger
- 3 Simi Sasagi Centre
- 4 Sebastian Kris Centre
- 5 Xavier Savage Winger
- 6 Ethan Strange Five-Eighth
- 7 Ethan Sanders Halfback
- 8 Josh Papalii Prop
- 9 Tom Starling Hooker
- 10 Joseph Tapine (c) Prop
- 11 Hudson Young 2nd Row
- 12 Noah Martin 2nd Row
- 13 Corey Horsburgh Lock
- 14 Jayden Brailey Interchange
- 15 Zac Hosking Interchange
- 16 Ata Mariota Interchange
- 17 Morgan Smithies Interchange
- 18 Chevy Stewart Reserve
- 19 Matthew Timoko Reserve
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Knights rated -4.1 and Raiders -2.2 on our scale, a gap of 1.9 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Knights
- Tries Greg Marzhew 28', Fletcher Sharpe 32', Dominic Young 43', Phoenix Crossland 47', Greg Marzhew 69', Dominic Young 76'
- Goals 4/6
- Half-time 10
- Raiders
- Tries Simi Sasagi 10', Ethan Strange 71'
- Goals 2/2
- Half-time 6
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.