NRL Round 4

The former Storm man looks like he's been playing No.7 all his life, coming up with 24 points, 21 line engagaments, 10 tackle breaks and three try assists in the first three rounds, and his combination with Matt Moylan continues to build nicely.

Newcastle are also getting great input from their halves Jake Clifford and Adam Clune and if Kalyn Ponga can get back on the field this week their spine takes on a more potent look.

The Knights won both clashes against the Sharks last season so they'll head to PointsBet Stadium confident of putting in a good showing.

Gold Coast went up 22-0 before being run down by the Raiders in a third straight match that went right down to the wire, with just one win so far from three nailbiters.

The Tigers were often their own worst enemy in round three against a Warriors side that seemed intent on returning the favour, with the visitors eventually clawing out a win.

Both sides enter Thursday night's clash off a reduced turnaround and intent on making up for the errors that have marked their respective seasons so far.

The Rundown

Team news

In this Shick Preview, these two neighbours from opposite sides of Anzac Parade have been going at it since 1908 and while in more recent years they have kicked off regular NRL seasons with mouth-watering Round 1 clashes, the advantage to this Round 4 meeting is each side has had a chance to feel their way into the season.

The Bunnies have hit back strongly after a dour Round 1 loss to Wests Tigers, putting Manly to the sword at Lottoland then edging past a gritty Knights outfit at McDonald Jones Stadium last week.