NRL Round 19 Preview and Prediction - Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos @ McDonald Jones Stadium

Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos @ McDonald Jones Stadium
 
Preview - Newcastle will be looking to pick themselves off the floor once again after another heartbreaking defeat as they host the Broncos on Saturday night in Newcastle. The Knights looked home and hosed for just their 3rd win of the year against the Bulldogs at Belmore last week, leading 18-8 with just 5 minutes to go before a late collapse saw Moses Mbye pounce on a charge down and run 70 metres to steal the game from the crestfallen Knights. The Knights remain two games behind the Tigers in last position on the ladder and look certain now to claim a 3rd straight wooden spoon. The Broncos are well rested after their bye week, however will be looking to put memories of their 42-12 shellacking by the Storm behind them, as they were blown off the paddock from start to finish. The Broncos are currently sitting in 5th spot and cannot afford to drop games like this if they want to claim that all important Top 4 position at season’s end. 
 
History - Since 2001 the Broncos have dominated the Knights, winning 9 of the 11 matches between the Clubs. Last season, the Broncos belted the Knights 53-0 up in Brisbane, and in their last 5 clashes against the Knights they are averaging a remarkable 41 points. Overall, the Broncos also hold a strong advantage with 32 victories, to just 13 defeats and 1 draw against Newcastle. 
 
Newcastle Knights’ Scouting Report - Nathan Brown is sticking faithfully with his side after their heartbreaking last minute loss to the Bulldogs last week. Knights co-captain Sione Mata'utia has been named to play, despite undergoing minor surgery earlier in the week on his injured finger. Dane Gagai, fresh from being named Man of the Series in Origin, is expected to back up after being named in the centres. Englishmen Joe Wardle moves back to the bench, with veteran-prop Mickey Paea into the reserves.
 
Brisbane Broncos Scouting Report - Brisbane Broncos Scouting Report - Wayne Bennett makes his first return to Newcaslte after be left the Knights in bitter circumstance back in 2014. Bennett has decided to rest both Matt Gillette and Josh McGuire after their Origin exertions. Ben Hunt will back up after playing little more then 5 minutes on Wednesday night. Exciting five-eight Anthony Milford is some chance of returning after being included on the extended bench with Benji Marshall likely to drop back to the bench. Former player Korbin Sims will return to Newcastle for the first time since departing the club in January, while 21-year-old Jamayne Isaako has been named on the wing to make his NRL Telstra Premiership debut. 
 
Verdict - Brisbane by 1-8

I thought I was home and hosed tipping the Knights in a big upset last week before their shocking capitulation in the final 5 minutes against the Bulldogs. I won't be giving them a 2nd chance here as I believe that loss mentally will be hard to get over and they could be vulnerable to being a little flat again here. The Broncos simply can ill afford to drop this game if they want to stay on course to make the Top 4, so I expect their Origin players to back up and the team to be focused on getting the job done. The Broncos are not a side that generally blows sides away, so I expect this to be a difficult game for them here, but with so much to play for, and the ability to know how to win close games, I think they should get the job done here. Newcastle should be competitive for 60 minutes, however they lack the experience to close out games and I see that biting them again here.