When the Knights and Tigers clashed in the opening round of the NRL premiership in early March, the product produced was far from anything to write home about.
In fact, the low scoring 10-8 win for the Knights was a tough watch at times, despite the willingness of the contest and the desperation of both teams to get off to a good start and claim the first duo of points available to them.
There were just three tries, the Knights’ completion rate was diabolical at 64 per cent and the 77 missed tackles and 23 errors, made for a match that was more about will than skilful execution.
However, a mulligan both teams would receive, with the opening round always prone to a display of new look squads failing to gel right from the off and players well short of a gallop after just a run or two in the trials.
Since that contest in Campbelltown, the Knights have added a win against the Dolphins and comfortably beat the bye. Wests also have a win against the Phins as well as a 32-6 triumph over the Eels.
A close and controversial loss to the Warriors and a decent effort against the Broncos has the long tormented fans of the club hopeful that something much better than a wooden spoon is coming the way of the Tigers in 2025.
Similarly, the Knights faithful will be eyeing off improvement and a third consecutive appearance in the finals, but also hoping for genuine competitiveness if and when that arrives.
It shapes as a beauty at McDonald Jones Stadium to end the round on Sunday afternoon and for the winner, a start to the season that will be acceptable and promising.
Kalyn Ponga will be key for the Knights on Sunday. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
However, the real issue for fans of both clubs is that neither has beaten a team of real quality in 2025 and it is a clear reality that the loser on Sunday will walk away from the contest with their fans believing that little actual progress has been made.
With far more difficult draws ahead over the next month, both would love the buffer of a few wins banked early, with the Bulldogs, Storm, Rabbitohs and Raiders playing by far the better football at the time of writing and all certain to be favourites when the Knights and Tigers face them for the first time, or again.
If the Tigers are to install any hope at all into their fans for 2025, this is simply a match they should be winning. The Knights have been decimated by injury. Jack Cogger, James Schiller, Jacob Saifiti, Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott have all been ruled out.
Those coming in lack experience and the spine looks well below the Tiger’s group for class and polish. Wests are in a much better place coming into such a key clash, with Jarome Luai, Brent Naden and Jeral Skelton available and the naming of Samuela Fainu and Kit Laulilii meaning the Tigers are close to full strength.
No doubt the home fans will be out in force and looking for the upset, whilst the bookies appear to be thinking the Knights still deserve favouritism based on what their judges have observed this season.
Adam Elliott celebrates a try with teammates after scoring. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
It looks more of a no-brainer to me, despite the fact that I selected the Knights in my tipping prior to assessing the ins and outs for the weekend. We might all be a little pooped by Sunday afternoon, after the Broncos and Roosters have done their thing and the Sharks and Sea Eagles have fought out what will be a beauty.
Maybe even the Storm and the Warriors put on a real show and the Knights and Tigers appear late Sunday afternoon as something of a dud to those who feel that both are destined for mediocrity in 2025.
Yet in spite of the fact that neither will win the premiership, the chance for real improvement and an appearance in the finals is there for them to grasp, if cultural change can be made within the Tigers and the Knights manage to take a step forward beyond mid-table representation.
It will not be the most attractive lure for many NRL fans, yet the result might just give the winner the shot in the arm required and set them on the path to something better than their own recent contexts.
Or then again, maybe it won’t and the match do little other than prove that both are again, well off the pace. With plenty on the line and the Sunday afternoon slot usually providing a wild ride, it could well be worth the watch.
