The official team lists are in for Knights vs Titans, with Newcastle regaining Bradman Best and Phoenix Crossland, while Gold Coast recall Lachlan Ilias and shift AJ Brimson back to centre. Those changes create some interesting anytime try scorer and player-prop opportunities for punters.
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Biggest Winners – Knights
Bradman Best
Best returns from a calf injury and immediately restores one of Newcastle’s biggest attacking weapons on the left edge.
Our Tip: Bradman Best – Anytime Try Scorer
Greg Marzhew
Best’s return alongside Marzhew restores Newcastle’s powerful left-side combination. Against the 15th-placed Titans, the winger should get opportunities if Newcastle control territory.
Our Tip: Greg Marzhew – Anytime Try Scorer
Kalyn Ponga
With Best back in the centres, Ponga has another dangerous runner to target when sweeping into Newcastle’s attacking shapes.
Our Tip: Kalyn Ponga – 1+ Try Assist
Biggest Losers – Knights
Harrison Graham
Phoenix Crossland’s return from a calf injury pushes Graham from starting hooker back to the interchange.
Betting impact: Graham’s reduced role makes his tackle markets less appealing.
Fletcher Hunt
Bradman Best’s return also sends Hunt back to the interchange after filling a starting role last week.
Betting impact: Avoid Hunt’s involvement-based markets with his minutes now much harder to predict.
Newcastle’s Right Edge
Gold Coast have moved AJ Brimson back to centre alongside Phillip Sami’s wing, giving the Titans plenty of attacking ability on that side.
Our Tip: AJ Brimson – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Winners – Titans
AJ Brimson
Brimson shifts back into the centres following Ilias’ recall at halfback. That puts him closer to the action and gives Jayden Campbell another dangerous runner on the edge.
Our Tip: AJ Brimson – Anytime Try Scorer
Lachlan Ilias
Ilias returns to the No.7 jersey, allowing Campbell to remain at five-eighth and Brimson to move back to centre.
Our Tip: Lachlan Ilias – 1+ Try Assist
Phillip Sami
Sami remains on the wing and enters the match within reach of a significant club try-scoring record, while the Brimson move gives Gold Coast another quality attacking option inside him.
Our Tip: Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Biggest Losers – Titans
Jaylan De Groot
Ilias’ return and the subsequent backline reshuffle push De Groot from the starting side to the extended bench.
Betting impact: His try-scoring markets are no longer attractive unless he’s promoted back into the 17.
Arama Hau
Josh Patston retains the starting back-row position after being promoted on game day against the Cowboys, leaving Hau among the reserves.
Betting impact: Patston’s starting role makes him the more relevant option for tackle and run-metre markets.
Titans Edge Defence
Newcastle have Best back alongside a back five containing Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Best and Marzhew. That’s a serious collection of try-scoring threats for a Gold Coast side coming off consecutive heavy defeats.
Our Tip: Knights – Over Team Total Points
Early Betting Verdict
The biggest change for punters is Bradman Best’s return. It strengthens Newcastle’s left edge and increases the appeal of both Best and Marzhew in the try-scoring markets. Crossland’s return at hooker is another positive for the Knights’ attacking structure.
Bradman Best – Anytime Try Scorer
Best returns straight into the centres and gives Ponga a powerful target close to the line.
Our Tip: Bradman Best – Anytime Try Scorer
Greg Marzhew – Anytime Try Scorer
Best’s return is also good news for Marzhew outside him. If Newcastle repeatedly attack that edge, the winger should get scoring chances.
Our Tip: Greg Marzhew – Anytime Try Scorer
Kalyn Ponga – Try Assists
Newcastle’s captain now has his first-choice strike centre back, while Gold Coast have reshuffled their backline again.
Our Tip: Kalyn Ponga – 1+ Try Assist
AJ Brimson – Anytime Try Scorer
Brimson’s move from the halves back to centre gives him a more direct running role outside Campbell.
Our Tip: AJ Brimson – Anytime Try Scorer
Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Sami gives us another way to attack Gold Coast’s reshuffle. With Brimson inside him, he should get opportunities if the Titans can generate enough possession.
Our Tip: Phillip Sami – Anytime Try Scorer
Knights – Team Total Points
Newcastle sit sixth and face a Titans side in 15th that enters after two heavy defeats. Adding Best and Crossland back into the starting side only strengthens the Knights’ attacking outlook.
Our Tip: Knights – Over Team Total Points
Best Bet From The Team Lists
Bradman Best – Anytime Try Scorer
Best’s return is the selection change I want to target most. He’s straight back into his regular centre position with Ponga inside him and Marzhew outside him, restoring a dangerous Newcastle attacking combination.
Our Tip: Bradman Best – Anytime Try Scorer
Value Bet
AJ Brimson – Anytime Try Scorer
Brimson moving back to centre is interesting from a betting perspective. Rather than carrying the organisational responsibilities of the halves, he can return to a more direct running role with Campbell and Ilias supplying him.
Our Tip: AJ Brimson – Anytime Try Scorer
